Recap: QuickStart 2024
October 2024
Energized and inspired were two words commonly used by the 30+ attendees at QuickStart ’24, held Saturday, Sept. 14 at Fahlgren-Mortine in Columbus, Ohio. The day before, the ECD leadership team gathered for its annual board meeting and, among other topics and events, the team benefited from a team-building exercise by Dr. Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communication, at Cedarville University.
Clearly, no balloons popped–as the ECD leadership team floated to the top at the board retreat.
At QuickStart, seven speakers provided key insight and ideas that will help our PR leaders, and their shops, to enhance their work and service. Each speaker brought their A-game, offering practical, impactful takeaways.
John Tintera reminded us that asking for sponsorships is never rude, as long as you believe in what you offer. Scott Light, former news anchor at WBNS TV in Columbus, emphasized that quality beats quantity in podcasting, while Leslie Hansen’s advice on stress management resonated deeply: “Goals show what you want, but values guide how you live.”
The event wasn’t just about ideas—it was a launchpad for action. From using AI to boosting chapter membership, QuickStart 2024 proved to be a must-attend for PR professionals and leaders alike.
The conference was also a great opportunity to network with fellow PRSA members. View photo gallery here.
Moments like the retreat and QuickStart conference remind us how important it is to come together—not just to strategize for what’s next but to share laughter and camaraderie as we continue building relationships that strengthen our work as a team. The time we spend networking and planning is invaluable, but just as important are those lighter moments where we can relax, share stories, and support each other as colleagues and friends.
QuickStart ’24 was a huge success and now is a great time to begin thinking about next year. Let’s improve on our conference by having more members from throughout the district participate.
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See you all next year!
Mark D. Weinstein
ECD Chair-Elect