On Saturday, April 6, the Temple University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hosted its 2024 Temple University Invitational Conference: PRolitics at Temple University Center City. The event was a melting pot of ideas and perspectives, with attendees representing diverse communities from Temple University, the University of the Arts, the George Washington University and more.
The event explored the intersection of communication and public relations in government and politics, bringing together students and professionals.
Throughout the day, attendees heard from many speakers and professionals, exploring topics such as establishing public trust, crisis management in politics and the importance of digital communications.
The conference was highlighted by keynote speaker Brendan McPhillips, President Biden's Philadelphia re-election campaign senior advisor. McPhillips shared insights about his 14 years of extensive experience working on national Democratic candidate campaigns, noting the power of persuasion.
He recalled trials and successes from working on campaigns for various individuals, such as presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, Florida Governor candidate Andrew Gillum, and current President Joe Biden.
"Hearing from him was an incredible opportunity for our attendees to gain real-world knowledge and expertise," remarked lead conference coordinator and public relations student Elena Erdley.
The conference also provided numerous speakers and breakout sessions for students, equipping them with valuable professional skills. They learned resume-building and interview tips from the Philadelphia chapter of The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), empowering them for their future careers.
In a recent post, Jaelyn Jennings, a public relations student and account associate for PRowl Public Relations, wrote that the conference was extremely informative and eye-opening.
“I had the opportunity to meet and network with a lot of students and professionals,” Jennings noted. “Even though I am not necessarily interested in pursuing a career in politics, a lot of the concepts and advice discussed can be applied to varying fields.”
The day concluded with a networking session, a crucial opportunity for students to connect with industry professionals. This session opened doors for valuable relationships and potential career advancements, underscoring the importance of such events.
Communication professionals play a vital role in government and politics, and events like the invitational conference allow the next generation of leaders to learn, network and grow.