New group targets young PR professionals

Andrew Wiech of Milwaukee-based Comet Branding and Megan Sullivan of BVK Public Relations in Milwaukee recently partnered to form the new Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America Young Pros group. A group dedicated to serving young professionals in the public relations field.
“We experienced a huge gap in services when we went from PRSSA, (public relation student society of America), to the traditional PRSA group here in Southeastern Wisconsin,” Wiech said. “Both organizations were great, but there was something missing for the young professionals that were no longer students but needed more workforce development and strategic planning than the seasoned professionals in PRSA.”
Wiech and Sullivan approached PRSA executives with the idea of forming a Wisconsin PRSA Young Pros group, and the idea was well received, Sullivan said.
“Apparently there used to be a PRSA Young professionals group within the organization and it died off due to lack of interest, but Andrew and I are committed to bringing it back.”
The group’s first official meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. According to Wiech, the event will serve as a meet and greet for young professionals in the Public Relations field to get to know the organizers and voice their needs and wants for the group. The event is free to attend and will feature food and drink specials for attendees as well as an indoor Bocce Ball tournament. The winning team in the tournament will receive a $50 gift card to CLEAR.
“We wanted to keep the first event very light,” Sullivan said. “It will give everyone an opportunity to get to know the group. While Andrew and I definitely have plans for where we want this group to go, we are very flexible and want to be conscientious of what our other members want more of, so we’re hoping they can share more of their ideas at the event.”
According to Sullivan, the PRSA Young Pros group will feature a mix of social and professional development type events and training. Right now, there are no dues to be a member of the group, she said.
“We want this to be a group that offers a complete package and blends social and development activities together,” she said. “Making it focused on public relations professionals will allow us to enhance that developmental training and discuss best practices, or workplace trends and changes in a more effective way.”
While registration for the first event is not required, guests are asked to RSVP on the PRSA Facebook page.