#NSPRA2019 in Washington, D.C.

Late last year, I had heard that the National School Public Relation Association (NSPRA) conference was scheduled for Washington, D.C. this summer. Since the conference is one of the best professional development opportunities in my field, and D.C. is just a short train ride away, I was able to get permission to attend. It also didn’t hurt that I went to college in Washington, D.C., so I knew the area well and was able to select a less-expensive option and metro to and from the conference every day. (We’re all about saving money where we can in public education!)

I booked it several months ago, and all of a sudden on Sunday the time was here! So, I headed to the MARC train (the best way to get in and out of the city for less than $20), and was welcomed with that swampy heat I remember from my college years. I spent Sunday checking into the conference, networking with others, chowing down on some CAVA, and re-familiarizing myself with my old stomping grounds.

On Monday, the conference began and it was AWESOME. We heard from a variety of speakers on a whole range of topics, including social media, strategic marketing, customer service, utilizing students as interns and more. One of my favorite speakers was Michele Norris, former NPR host and creator of The Race Card Project. Michele shared some of the stories that came out of the project and the importance of confronting your own biases. It was incredibly impactful.

Aside from the conference, being in D.C. again for the first time in 6 (!) years since I graduated was so nice. It felt so good to again hop on and off the metro, stroll around Bethesda and get an Elm City pizza with fried eggplant from Pete’s Pizza. I even hit up the American University Book Store to grab a new t-shirt, since mine was getting old and tattered.

Overall it was a WONDERFUL experience. In my former role, I had the opportunity to travel a ton for work, and it was always my favorite part of the job. It was nice getting a small taste of that this week in D.C.