As Longwood University expands so do all of our wonderful departments and programs. With much focus devoted to the digital media side of the department with the studio facilities, there is now time for the public relations concentration to further develop a program to help students and community members: LAMP.
Established in 2017, the Longwood Academy for Event and Meeting Planning (LAMP) program was developed to help give more attention to those in the major and the community who have a desire to work in event planning. It started out as a one-day conference and now in its third year, has now grown to a multi-day conference, workshop, and networking opportunity! The workshop consists of professionals in varying areas of event planning teaching its attendees what it takes to work in this profession. These professionals are experts in their field with h
ands-on experience that they’re excited to share with the attendees. Workshop topics include establishing client expectations and setting goals, creating and managing budgets, contracting with vendors, managing technology and audio/visual, developing an event timeline, marketing and branding your event, event execution and problem-solving.
This year we have senior Communication Studies intern Suzanne Sauter helping coordinate the workshop: “I think adding a LAMP program is a great idea because so many of our students have interests outside the traditional strategic public relations umbrella. Many students have interests in event or wedding so this program will be beneficial for them. This will let comm students with an opportunity to get hands on experience from the leading professionals from a variety of occupations in the PR field. I’m really excited to be planning this with Dr. Hosterman! It’s giving me a lot of practice with event planning and facilitation of large scale, multi day events. I can’t wait to see how this program turns out” says Sauter.
This year will be a three-day event with guest speakers including:
- Ashley Down Burton from VCU
- Kip Olson from Cornerstone Hospitality
- Tim Vaughn from Freeman
- Berkeley Burgess from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- Peggy Disney from the Peanut Council
- Emily Pilk from the Weyanoke Hotel
Upon completing the workshop, attendees will earn a certificate and 2.4 CEUs (continuing education units). There will a catered lunch and networking with guest speakers each day. LAMP offers a range of prices and registration options so head over to the Longwood website or contact Dr. Alec Hosterman (hostermanar@longwood.edu) to register today.
http://www.longwood.edu/commstudies/about/lamp/