Join your friends and colleagues at the 2024 Paragon Awards!

Initially created in 1983, the Paragon Awards encourage members to strive for public relations excellence and celebrate high-level work in categories that have evolved to include media relations, social media, integrated communications, and more.

The 2024 Paragon Awards will be held on Thursday, May 23, at The Annex at Foxtown in Mequon, starting at 4:30 p.m. with the award program to begin at 5:00 p.m. A buffet-style dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. with a cash bar serving until 7:30 p.m.

Advanced registration is required. The cost to attend is $45 for PRSA members, $50 for non-members, $25 for PRSSA members (students) and $500 for corporate table sponsors (includes a corporate table of 8, company logo displayed in the award presentation, verbal recognition during the program and company logo on the PRSA website). Registration deadline is Friday, May 10.

The highlight of the PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter’s Paragon Awards program will be the recognition of professionals who have not only demonstrated excellence but also contributed significantly to the public relations community. We will honor them with the prestigious 2024 Communicator of the Year Award and the 2024 Dorothy Thomas Black Award.

Questions, please contact Joette Richards at prsasewi@gmail.com.

Special thanks to our corporate table sponsor:

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We invite you to join PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin for this post-work YAPPY HOUR—no dogs required to have fun! You are welcome to bring your dog(s) or enjoy meeting and mingling with the four-legged friends of others.

For the Hounds: Supervised open-air yard, covered patio areas, and indoor spaces with separate large and small dog off-leash areas. Play equipment and pools.

For the Humans: All humans 16+ are welcome whether you own a dog or not. Join us at the bar where you can enjoy beer, wine and fun cocktails. TVs indoors and out. Grab a bite from a local food truck.

Dog Owners: You must register your dog for a $10 day pass (+$5 per additional dog). All dogs must show proof of vaccinations and be spayed or neutered if over 6 months of age. Please visit The Hounds & Tap website for full rules, FAQs, and to register your dog.

Plus, enjoy door prizes and treats from Fromm Family Pet Food.

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How BVK Built a Well-Oiled Influencer and Press Trip Strategy for West Virginia Tourism.

To increase awareness of what the state had to offer visitors and ultimately drive visitation to The Mountain State, BVK launched a hyper-focused, multi-faceted four-season individual press trip program and an always-on influencer marketing campaign. During this session they will dive into real-life contract examples, discuss how to leverage the most from creators, work with freelancers, and how to both evaluate and show the true value of these dynamic partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to maximize reach on platforms
• Understand the importance photo/video licensing and the pros and cons of UGC
• Qualify the true value of working with content creators
• Learn tips and tricks to successfully vet and work with freelancers

Callie Murphy, Account Director, and Grace Devine, PR Supervisor, of BVK, are earned media strategists managing public relations, influencer, and experiential marketing programming for BVK’s wide range of tourism accounts. Together they oversee the West Virginia Department of Tourism account, among others, where over the past three years they have welcomed more than 100 influencers and journalists to The Mountain State yielding millions of earned media impressions and top-tier placements spanning Good Morning America, Travel & Leisure, and Condé Nast among others.

Callie Murphy, Account Director, BVK

Grace Devine, PR Supervisor, BVK

Thanks to BVK for hosting this event! 

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Unconscious Bias is a learned stereotype that is automatic, unintentional, deeply ingrained, universal, and able to influence behavior. Unconscious bias seeps into decisions that affect recruitment, retention, hiring, access to healthcare, banking, housing, education, the justice system, providing services, interpersonal interactions, and outcomes in ways that can disadvantage both individuals and groups of people. We all have some form of unconscious bias, and the key is to recognize that we have it and employ techniques to mitigate it.

In this session you will:

1. Learn to assess and measure your unconscious bias
2. Be able to define unconscious bias
3. Learn the history of unconscious bias in America
4. Learn how subconsciously, decisions are being made in your mind
5. Learn how unconscious bias affects everyday life
6. Finally, learn ways to mitigate your bias

There will also be opportunities for conversation and reflection during the training.

Derek Mosley graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1995.  After graduation he served as an Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County from 1995-2002.  As an Assistant District Attorney, he represented the State of Wisconsin in over 1,000 criminal prosecutions. In 2002, Mr. Mosley was appointed Municipal Court Judge in Milwaukee.  At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest African-American to be appointed judge in the State of Wisconsin. For ten years Mr. Mosley served as the Chief Judge of the Milwaukee Municipal Court. In 2023, Mr. Mosley became the Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School.

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