Media Relations in Water & Wastewater Utilities

February 26-27, 2009, Los Angeles, CA (S900)

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1.4 CEUs  About CEUs    14 PDHs  Download PDH Form    

Overview

Media Relations is more important than ever before. Today's water and wastewater utilities face the age-old operational threats to their service caused by power outages, main breaks, floods and more, and now additionally face the global challenges associated with identification as one of America’s critical infrastructures. During major events, imparting water quality and health information to a large audience instantaneously will be critical but will not be possible without proper preparation.

This concentrated, interactive two-day seminar will provide attendees with valuable strategies to plan and prepare for communicating during any event, and techniques to effectively manage communication and media relations efforts when unexpected events happen.

Who Should Attend?

You'll Learn

Utility management Utility public information personnel Utility subject matter experts who may find themselves in front of the media

An overview on the principles of media relations, planning and communication. Instruction for successful media relations, including how to give effective media interviews, with training exercises for select attendees Techniques for identifying and promptly communicating with audiences during every-day events Easy-to-use communication planning materials to guide attendees in developing implementable outreach plans for their utilities Hands on exercises of drinking water specific events that will require participants to employ the media relations principles and tools covered in the seminar

Seminar Schedule (2-day seminar)

Day 1 (8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) Welcome and Introduction Review of Seminar Objectives, Format and Participant Expectations Media Relations: Principles & Strategies Why do we need to work with the media? What's the strategic value? Consistency among media formats Why Media Relations needs to be an intergral part of your strategic communication plan Spokesperson selection and protocol Interview Techniques – Pros/Cons Traps/Pitfalls Often, media just wants a sound byte that is not live Types of Interviews Coming Your Way Radio, TV, Subsets, 1 person How do you prepare for a newspaper/radio/TV interview? How do you talk to a camera like it's a person? What do you wear? Interviewing Exercise - Instructors will ask for volunteers to be videotaped during interviewing exercises. How the Media Works, Explanation of the Media Landscape (Blogs, YouTube) Types of Media Who are the Media in Your Neighborhood? Lessons in Media Relations - Case Studies AWWA video, "Crises, Conflict & Cooperation, Working with the Media" (DVD is 25 minutes in length) Day 2 (8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) Media Relations in a Crisis Media Relations in Practice (Attendees will be videotaped during a tabletop exercise) Intensive group exercises to put lessons learned to practice Response planning Message development Delivering organization messages Stakeholder identification Spokesperson preparation Materials planning Logistics Afternoon Session: Group Reports, Evaluation, and Discussion Open Q&A

Seminar Dates & Locations	Hotel Information      Find Map »
February 26, 2009 - February 27, 2009 Marriott Los Angeles Airport 5855 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90045 United States S900 Deadline for Early Registration: January 15, 2009	$149.00 - Single/Double Occupancy for all other guests Rates do not include sales tax RESERVATION INFORMATION: Attendees should call hotel directly to make a reservation by February 4, 2009. The number to call is 800.228.9290 or 310.641.5700 and callers must reference American Water Works Association to obtain the special negotiated rate of $149.00 plus tax per night.

Seminar Pricing/Discounts

Early Registration     Standard Registration   Members $545.00   $645.00   Nonmembers $695.00   $795.00   Small Systems $445.00   $445.00     * Public water systems serving fewer than 17,500 people or 5,000 connections Download PDH Form

About Your Seminar Leaders

Karen P. Snyder - has worked in the water and wastewater profession for 19 years focusing on all areas of public relations and community outreach. Prior to launching Snyder Communication as a public relations consultant in 1998, Ms. Snyder worked for 14 years with Lehigh County Authority in Pennsylvania, a water and wastewater utility where she managed all areas of public relations and responded to numerous localized crises. As part of her consulting activities, Ms. Snyder has worked with multiple organizations on outreach and crisis communications, and has developed model materials for the full-day crisis communications seminar held at the 2001 AWWA/WEF Joint Management Conference in Portland, Oregon. She also partnered with members of the AWWA Public Affairs Council to author a chapter on crisis communications for use in AWWA’s Emergency Planning Manual. Throughout her 19 years in the drinking water profession, Ms. Snyder has remained active in advancing strategic communications and outreach in the industry. She has served as a member and Vice Chair of the AWWA Public Affairs Council, she now serves on the AWWA Management Division, she has chaired public information committees in both the Pennsylvania and Kentucky/Tennessee AWWA Sections, she serves on the Utility Accreditation Policy Committee, and on two three-member AWWARF Project Advisory Committees focusing on customer and public outreach. In 1997, Ms. Snyder represented Water For People during a 10-day visit with the Krakow (Poland) Water and Wastewater Utility to introduce public relations practices. In 1997 and 1998, she served as adjunct professor at Lehigh University where she taught senior-level public relations courses. Greg Kail - is Director of Public Affairs for the American Water Works Association. Kail came to AWWA in 2003 after seven years as communications director and spokesman for the Archdiocese of Denver. He has also worked within the news media in a variety of editorial roles, serving as editor for the Vail Daily newspaper in the mid-1990s and as a reporter, contributor and columnist for a number of other newspapers and magazines.Kail holds a Master's Degree in Digital Media Studies from the University of Denver and a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism and the Performing Arts from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

Outstanding Bonuses for All Attendees!

An extensive workbook that contains all the materials covered in the seminar that will serve as a valuable reference back on the job! Lunch is included on both days. The following related products are available for purchase through the AWWA Bookstore: Water System Security: First Responders video, No. 64270 Security Practice Primer for Water Utilities, No. 90984F Water System Security: A Field Guide, No. 20501

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Liability Statement  &  Cancellation Policy  --  Questions? Call, 1.800.926.7337