Public Relations Day 2008, held on Nov. 14, brought together over 190 students and professionals to the University of Tennessee University Center to discuss the current trends and issues that are happening in the field of crisis communications.

Public Relations Ph. D. student Karen Freberg, who helped organize the event, said the focus was on crisis communication because of the interest in the subject and in relation to the current state of the economy.

"It is hard to pick up any paper and not see various corporations, individuals, celebrities and politicians facing some sort of public relations nightmare," Freberg said. "The ability to contribute to one's publics effectively during a crisis can contribute directly to the bottom line and often to their survival."

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale attended the event to present an award to a well-respected member of the PR industry.

Gary McCormick is the 2009 Chair-elect of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and will become president in 2010.

Mayor Ragsdale proclaimed that November 14, 2008 was officially named Gary McCormick Day in honor of his achievements in the field.

PR Day began in 1981 and is one of the largest bi-annual public relations conferences in the southeastern United States and is held at UT every year.

Over $9,000 was raised for the School of Advertising and Public Relations from the local PRSA chapter and local sponsors including Akermann PR and Mary Beth Consulting.

Public Affairs Coordinator Barbara Reynolds from the Center for Disease Control was the keynote speaker.

Reynolds spoke about the issues of trust and credibility in the event of a crisis and what a PR professional should do.

"Today the truth will come out. It's the wild wild west out here in the communications world. It is easier to tell the truth," Reynolds said.

Mayor Ragsdale spoke about the importance of public relations in Knox County.

"I spend most of my time in the communications office. It's critically important to let people know how their money is being spent. The way you do that is through public relations," said Ragsdale.
    
Public Relations Student Society of America President Kassie Barker discussed why she Wochose to get involved with public relations.

"I always knew I wanted to be in business. I liked the relationships that have to do with a business and I felt like it was my job to bring that aspect to a company," Barker said.

UT Assistant Professor in Public Relations Michael Palenchar said this year's PR Day was a success in many ways.
 
"Feedback from conference attendees was very positive, ranging from an outstanding luncheon speaker to very beneficial workshops that provided hands-on and immediately useful information to help them at their jobs," Palenchar said.