Politics & PR – What’s the difference?

Many PR professionals of all backgrounds and political persuasions find themselves pulled into an issue with ties to events in Juneau and the state’s legislative process. Lorna Shaw, an advocate for Alaska’s mining industry, will lead a discussion on the overlap and differences between public relations and government relations. She will explain when, how and why you should be involved in the political process at all levels of government, but especially focusing on the state legislature. Attendees at the Jan. 26 PRSA Alaska Chapter luncheon will learn: • About the state’s legislative process, including lobbying and grassroots advocacy • The importance of strategic alliances and relationships • How to develop advocates in and around the legislature Lorna is a fourth generation Alaskan who began her professional career working as a legislative staffer in Juneau and Washington, D.C., before finding her true passion in the mining industry. She joined Sumitomo Metal Mining as the External Affairs Manager for Pogo Mine in 2012, and before that served in a similar capacity for Kinross Gold Corporation at Fort Knox for nearly 12 years.