I had the pleasure of being on the host and organizing committee for the 2011 PRSA Travel & Tourism Section’s conference, “Navigating the Currents of Change: Proactive PR in Challenging Times,” last week in San Antonio. Since I work at the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, I received some firsthand experience in what planning a PR conference is actually like. It was crazy and exciting, but most of all it was very energizing!

Though the behind-the-scenes coordination was sometimes grueling, I got the rare opportunity to gain exposure to other professionals in the section. This was among the most valuable experience of being involved with the conference. From the very beginning, when the conference planning committee visited San Antonio to do a site visit, I was involved in the core of the Travel & Tourism Section and PRSA as a whole.  This provided me with an opportunity to visit one on one with experienced professionals in the industry. The diversity of the Travel & Tourism board made for some interesting conversations and sparked new friendships for me.

One of the advantages of being the host city is to ensure media attendees can make the most of their time at the destination and assist them with any research for potential media coverage. I had the rare opportunity to spend time with some top editors, including culinary publications that I frequently pitch to. We laughed over tacos, chatted on a river barge, and had some quality time to start or strengthen relationships. One of the conference keynote speakers, Keith Bellows, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler, spoke about travel journalism needing to expose and educate the next generation about authentic travel experiences. I think the media caught a glimpse of just that by immersing themselves in the San Antonio destination.

The result of all the hard work and energy of the local organizing committee, Travel & Tourism Board and PRSA staff, was evident in a very successful and fun conference. The networking opportunities with media and others in the industry were so beneficial that it certainly made me want to attend my section’s conference every year. I would strongly encourage any new pro to do the same.

Eva Aivaliotis
Senior Communications Assistant at the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Eva Aivaliotis is the Senior Communications Assistant at the San Antonio Convention  & Visitors Bureau (SACVB). The team works with national and international media (print,  electronic, broadcast, and online), marrying editorial opportunities with trends, destination assets and overall goals of the SACVB. She is a 2005 graduate of the Schieffer School of Journalism at Texas Christian University with a B.A. in International Communication – Advertising/PR, and a minor in French. A native San Antonian, she previously interned at the SACVB and feels very fortunate to be working with the Communications team again to promote the city.