PR Networking Opportunities

As it continues to snow in West Michigan, us young professionals are looking forward to more than just warmer weather. We are looking for learning and networking opportunities. Whether you have an eye on summer internships, a professional’s opinion, or a good conversation, networking events are a great way to put yourself out there and practice your communication skills. Here is a list of networking opportunities in the Grand Rapids area from now until April. 

  • “Getting Your Clients to Fall in LOVE with You”
    Unstoppable Women Networking GR
    • Tuesday, February 13th
    • 9:00a-11:00a
    • Schuler Books and Media 2660 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
    • $10 (Not including coffee and breakfast) 
    • Unstoppable Women Networking GR is a group of women providing a community of support that offers simple tools for motivation and inspiration. This event is dedicated to learning tips for language on social media, email, and in-person encounters over breakfast and coffee. 
    • More information
  • “Keeping Your Head Above Water: Lessons from the Flint Water Crisis”
    Public Relations Society of America: West Michigan Chapter
    • Thursday, February 15th
    • 11:30a-1:00p
    • University Club 111 Lyon Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 United States
    • $20 (Lunch is included) 
    • Director of Communications, Mary Jo Herbig, and Development and Program Associate, Alexandria Dawson, from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint share how they responded to the Flint Water Crisis. They will be focusing on building PR capacity in a crisis, managing media mania, managing donors as fundraisers, and keeping it real and transparent. 
    • More information
  • Grand Rapids Agency Tours
    Public Relations Student Society of America: Grand Valley State University Chapter
    • Friday, February 16th  
    • Experience GR
      Begins at 11:00a
      171 Monroe Ave NW #545, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    • ArtPrize
      Begins at 2:00p
      41 Sheldon Blvd SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    • Free ($5 for non-PRSSA members)
    • GVSU PRSSA will be visiting the offices of Experience GR and ArtPrize for an opportunity to get an inside look of how these companies practice public relations. 
    • Sign up sheet 
  • “Common Negotiating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them” 
    Grand Rapids Young Professionals
    • Wednesday, February 21st
    • 7:30a-9:00a
    • SalesPad 3351 Claystone Street Southeast #100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
    • $5
    • GRYP is a group dedicated to providing young professionals social networking opportunities in Grand Rapids. At this event, Penny Rosema, a negotiation expert and consultant, is speaking of negotiation do's and don’ts. Listeners will immediately begin practicing negotiation techniques with Rosema’s interactive techniques. 
    • More information
  • Sixth Annual Superior Awards and Senior Send-Off
    Public Relations Student Society of America: Grand Valley State University Chapter
    • Friday, April 6th
    • 7:00p
    • Eberhard Center 301 Fulton W, Grand Rapids MI 49504
    • Free
    • Students will be recognized for work they submitted. This is a great event to network with students, faculty, and professionals within the community. 
    • Stay tuned to the PRSSA newsletters for more information. 
  • PRSSA Bi-Weekly Meetings
    Public Relations Student Society of America: Grand Valley State University Chapter 
    • Wednesdays
    • 9:00p-10:00p
    • February 7: “Digital Marketing”
    • February 21: “E-Board Elections/Alumni Killing It”
    • March 21: “Sports PR”
    • April 4: “Social Media Analytics” 
    • April 18: “Current Topics in PR: A conversation”
    • Niemeyer building, room 148
    • First meeting free, $25 semester dues, $45 year-long dues
    • Sit next to someone new and network with your own Grand Valley peers!

These are just a few networking opportunities Grand Rapids has to offer. To find more events, check out Eventbrite and Meetup, as well as PRSSA and Ad Club's Facebook page. 

About Emily

Emily is a sophomore at GVSU majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Digital Studies. She loves collaborating with peers though her involvements with PRSSA, GrandPR, APR Alumni Relations Committee, and TEDxGVSU. In her free time, Emily likes to stay active and try new hobbies. Her favorites include playing beach volleyball, snowboarding, rock climbing, and swing dancing. 
Twitter: @emgagnon_567
Instagram: _emgagnon
 

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