NSPRA 2020 National Seminar

Maginify the Power of Communication

The NSPRA National Seminar heads to the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 12-15, 2020. Plan now to join more than 1,100 of your school public relations colleagues for best-practice sessions, networking, interactive learning and more. 

During the 2020 NSPRA Seminar, enjoy these hallmarks of the Seminar:

• Network with school PR colleagues, who represent a diverse range of experiences, backgrounds and interests. Last year, more than 1,100 professionals took part in the annual NSPRA Seminar.  
• Explore stories of successes, challenges and lessons learned on issues and opportunities facing schools today. Last year, the Seminar program included more than 120 skill sessions, action labs and workshops presented by NSPRA members, partners and sponsors. (Interested in presenting in 2020? Visit the call for presentations webpage for details.)
• Discover new and innovative strategies to advance education through responsible communications. NSPRA's Seminar is acclaimed for sending home attendees with more new ideas for the school PR profession than any other conference out there.

Save the date! The 2020 NSPRA Seminar is July 12-15 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. When the Seminar hotel room block is open to attendees for reservations, an announcement will be posted on this webpage and shared with NSPRA members. 

As you begin to plan for next summer, consider applying for one of the Seminar scholarships available. Then check back soon for more details on keynote speakers, pre-Seminar workshops, Seminar sessions, registration options, hotel reservations and more.

To get an idea of what an NSPRA National Seminar is like, please watch the videos below from the 2015 and the 2014 National Seminar.

The NSPRA National Seminar is the largest gathering of school communication professionals in North America, bringing together outstanding experts and practitioners in communication and leadership for four days of collaboration and learning.

School public relations professionals and educational leaders must demonstrate accountability and student achievement in local schools like never before. You need public engagement. And, you need clear communication to get your messages heard and strengthen the connection between your schools and your community.

At the Seminar, you’ll connect with others who are using effective communication to build bridges that ensure education success for all students. You’ll learn innovative and strategic ways to deliver key messages about your schools, foster open and honest dialogue with stakeholders, and develop dynamic internal and external communication programs. You’ll meet some of North America’s leading communication experts and school PR pros who will help you build trust, understanding, support, and respect for your schools.

With numerous skill-building sessions rich in resources and ideas, the NSPRA Seminar provides a laser focus on what’s working in cutting-edge communication programs and how to respond to today’s critical education issues. Communication issues you deal with daily, such as accountability, transparency, funding, rebuilding trust and public support, student performance, communication technology, media relations, handling crises, branding and marketing, public engagement, social media, customer service, diversity and tolerance, education advocacy and much, much more.

Whether you are a full-time public relations/communications professional, a superintendent, or an educator with communication responsibilities, the NSPRA Seminar will inspire you to expand and improve the communication program in your district and provide you with the ideas, tools and resources to get started.

Need a reason to attend the NSPRA Seminar?

Here's what participants say:

• The NSPRA Seminar provides a full spectrum of learning opportunities for school PR professionals, from community involvement and diversity outreach to marketing, social media, crisis communications, and strategic advisor courses. Combined with the chance to network with expert colleagues from across the continent, the Seminar brings each participant new energy, tools, mentors, and strategies to navigate the challenges of communicating in an era of education change. -- Leslie Robinette, APR, Gladstone Schools, Ore.
• The NSPRA Seminar is the only place where you can learn job specific tips and tools for our profession. It is also a wonderful opportunity to meet other school system communication professionals in order to build a network of friends who you can turn to for advice during tough times. -- Meredith Mendez, Tammany Parish Public School System, La.
• You won't find a better opportunity to network with "your people" - other school communicators who are often dealing with, or have dealt with, the same issues you're facing in your own district.
  -- Casey White-Zollman, Intermountain Education Service District, Ore.
• The National Seminar offers something for everyone looking to improve school communications - solid entry level skill development, information about how to take advantage of the latest technology tools, strategic guidance on the year ahead and inspiration to reinvigorate your professional passion. -- Trinette Marquis-Hobbs, APR, Syntric Communications, Calif.
• Imagine being in a large room with 600 people who know how totally impossible your job is, and yet are as relentlessly cheerful as you are! -- Vicki Presser, Scarsdale Public Schools, N.Y.
• Each year I come away from the NSPRA Seminar with a renewed passion for school public relations. -- Alison Benson, Sioux City (Iowa) Community School District
• The opportunity to learn from others as well as contribute to the dialogue on programs we have was invaluable. I plan to join NSPRA as I can see a tremendous value to having access to NSPRA's resources. -- Barbara Keyani, Santa Barbara (Calif.) Unified School District
• Going to the NSPRA Seminar every summer is one of the primary reasons I still love my job. Getting my annual shot of inspiration, advice and support refreshes my attitude every year.
  -- Nicole Kirby, APR, Park Hill School District, Mo.