Practical Communications and Public Outreach for Planners

This practical, participatory half- or full-day workshop on public relations and marketing methods was custom-developed for individuals and groups involved in the planning process. APA sponsored development of its most comprehensive planning and development effort to date to ensure that this workshop would be relevant to planners. The ultimate goal is to empower planners to increase public support for planning, planners, and planning agencies.

The workshop can be conducted either as a professional development event or as training for chapter leadership. Due to the design and interactive nature of the full-day course, attendance for this version of the workshop is limited to no more than 40 participants. There is no restriction on the number of registrants for the half-day workshop.

Presenter

The workshop is conducted by Denny Johnson, the public affairs coordinator for the American Planning Association. He has more than 15 years experience as a writer, editor, and communications director in the nonprofit sector, working for organizations at both the state and national levels. He also has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for newspapers in Minnesota and Alaska, as well as having written for a variety of regional and national magazines.

This workshop is customized for planners by:

• Polling the APA/AICP leaders about their greatest public relations challenges
• Reviewing the APA/AICP Millennium Planning Survey of public attitudes towards planning
• Reviewing planning trade and academic literature for relevant articles
• Reviewing more than 30 planning-related case histories

In addition to using planning case studies to underscore key concepts, the workshop emphasizes hands-on, participatory activities. The afternoon of the full-day workshop is used for small group problem solving of planning-oriented communications challenges and class discussion of the communication plans developed by each small group.

Workshop materials include course syllabus, bibliography, sources of additional information, and handouts listing 120 tips and ideas about getting a successful public relations program started or expanding a program already underway.

This workshop addresses:

• Defining your message
• Understanding what makes news
• Saving time and still getting media coverage (without a press release)
• Strategic communications planning
• Using polling data and other market research to understand your key audiences
• Maximizing your public relations efforts through APA and AICP

Additional equipment may be required for optimum presentation.

Fee: Travel and lodging expenses for one presenter and workshop licensing fee.