The event includes a networking lunch with officers of the UMD Communication Club and sports public relations professionals, a panel discussion at 2 p.m., and an open mid-day happy hour from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
The panelists include Kirsten Wenker, senior corporate communications manager for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx, Matt Hodson, associate commissioner of public relations for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Bill Watson, former Chicago Blackhawks player and former UMD assistant Mens Hockey coach, and Bob Nygaard, UMD’s Assistant Communications Athletic Director.
"Public relations is a booming industry, and this event gives students an opportunity to learn from professionals who can share their experience working in sports communication,“ says Michelle Paquette, creator and co-coordinator of UMD’s Day of Sports Media and Public Relations.
The discussion topics will range from media relations, social media marketing, public relations ethics, crisis communication and other public relations related conversations. The panel will begin with introductions, followed by discussion facilitated with mediating questions, and a question and answer portion to end the panel.
UMD’s Day of Sports Media and Public relations is funded by grants from the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of English, Linguistics, and Writing Studies, and the Department of Communication.