Seminar Schedule

8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30-11:30 a.m. -- Ballroom
Geoff Livingston, author of Now is Gone: A primer on New Media for Executives and Entrepreneurs

Geoff Livingston has worked as a marketing strategist in the Washington, DC region for 14 years. He creates marketing strategy, media relations, branding and Internet marketing campaigns for public and private organizations. Some of his experiences include work for AT&T, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bartleby Books, BEA Systems, Hughes Network Systems, ManTech, the Washington Nationals, Intelsat, Verizon Wireless and many others.

Called a “local blogging guru” by the Washington Post, Geoff's Buzz Bin blog (www.livingstonbuzz.com/blog) is nationally recognized as one the leading marketing blogs in the world, and is the top ranked marketing blog in the Washington, DC region.

He successfully launched FortiusOne’s GeoCommons using an aggressive social media strategy, and marketed Godsmack Lead Singer Sully Erna’s autobiography using a diversified My Space and blogosphere campaign. Geoff’s book on new media “Now is Gone” as released last fall by Bartleby, the Publisher.

11:30 a.m,. -- Luncheon registration and networking

12-1 p.m.  -- Monika Maeckle, Business Wire: Web-friendly Press Releases: Launching the Online Conversation

Monika Maeckle has more than 25 years’ experience in media and marketing-as a reporter, marketing executive, sole proprietor of a public relations boutique and vice president of corporate relations for a small cap NASDAQ company, Billy Blues Food Corp.

Maeckle joined Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, in February of 1997 as Texas Regional Manager. She was promoted to Southwest Regional Manager in 2002 and made Vice President, Southwest Region in 2003. In January of 2008, she moved into the national role of Vice President, New Media.

For the past three years she has been deeply involved in the development of Business Wire's highly successful EON suite of services, a web-only social media platform and partnership with PR Web.

Maeckle completed SEMPO's Search Engine Fundamentals Class and is the author of many of Business Wire's SEO Tip sheets and blog posts. She oversees Business Wire’s successful webinar outreach program that encourages understanding of how Web 2.0 applies to press release practices.

She has been married to Robert Rivard, editor of the San Antonio Express News, since 1981 and has two grown sons.

Afternoon Sessions: New Media in Small “Bytes”

1:15 p.m.-2 p.m.

Kami Watson Huyse, APR: Building Relationships with Online Stakeholders

Kami Watson Huyse, APR, is a senior communicator with 15 years of experience in crisis communication, reputation management, focus group research, public relations measurement and media relations.

Huyse has an expertise in social media tools and strategy. She is a top-ranked public relations blogger that specializes in connecting with key stakeholders to foster thought leadership and build long-term relationships. She has orchestrated a number of public relations initiatives using the latest tools and technologies. She is a sought-after speaker and writes an award-winning blog, Communication Overtones, on the topic of public relations and social media strategy. Her ideas and work in this area are featured in several books about social media including The New Rules of Marketing and PR, and Now is Gone.

Huyse also has significant experience working with the media, garnering coverage for her clients in media outlets such as the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the CBS Early Show and the San Antonio Express News, among others.

In 2002, Huyse founded My PR Pro, which operates on a “virtual team” model, with partners across the United States.

Huyse graduated with honors from George Mason University with a B.A. in Speech Communication in 1994, specializing in public relations and journalism. She holds an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

2:15 p.m.-3 p.m.

Christie L. Goodman, APR: Podcasting for Beginners

Christie L. Goodman, APR, is the communications manager for the Intercultural Development Research Association, a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to creating schools that work for all children.

She designs and implements communications strategies and coordinates materials development, web sites and a podcast series. Previously, Goodman worked with two non-profit interreligous organizations on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where she served as associate editor of a magazine and led media training for staff.

In addition, Goodman has provided pro-bono and low-cost PR services to small religious advocacy and community-based organizations. Among her awards is the national first-place Bronze Anvil for speechwriting from the Public Relations Society of America and the Del Oro Community Service Award from PRSA San Antonio in 2007.

She has served on the PRSA San Antonio board of directors for 13 years, including serving as chapter president in 2003. As accreditation chair, she designed and led the chapter’s PR Insights series of seminars. She also serves on the board of the March of Dimes San Antonio chapter.

Goodman has a bachelor’s degree in advertising and minors in sociology and art from Texas Tech University. She is accredited in public relations.

3:15-4 p.m.

Bryan Person: Blogging 101: Get Started Today

Bryan Person is a social media evangelist for LiveWorld Inc., a company that designs and manages online communities and social networks for leading brands. In his role, Bryan explores the culture and latest trends in social media and advises companies on best practices for driving meaningful online conversations and building stronger relationships with and between their customers.

Bryan is also a community organizer. He founded the Social Media Breakfast series in Boston in August 2007 as a venue for social media experts and newbies alike to come together to eat, meet, share, and learn. The breakfast program has since spread to other cities around the country and the world.

Bryan blogs online at http://www.BryanPerson.com. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and two children.

4-5 p.m. -- Sharing Best Practice or New Practice