Hoosier Chapter Excited to Welcome PRSA Members from Around the World
When I learned that Indianapolis would be the site of the 2016 PRSA International Conference, I considered turning down the role of 2015 Hoosier Chapter president-elect/2016 Hoosier Chapter president. The thought of taking on host chapter responsibilities in addition to managing a chapter of 350+ members was both daunting and, at times, terrifying.
But then I realized that the conference was an ideal way to show off a city that many of our Hoosier Chapter members – and I – love. Our downtown is one of the most walkable in the United States, and Indianapolis was named the best convention city in the country by USA Today. It’s easy to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore the city’s cultural districts, each just steps from downtown hotels.
There’s something else that makes our community special: The people who live and work here, many of whom are chapter volunteers. The conference is a wonderful way to offer our members additional volunteer roles and professional development opportunities.
In fall 2015, our chapter board of directors put out a call for local host committee volunteers, and we received more than 50 interest forms. Divided into seven sub-committees – hospitality, PR/marketing, opening night reception, sponsorships, PRSSA engagement, volunteer management – our chairs and committee volunteers have been hard at work to make sure the 2016 International Conference is the best one yet. You might wonder how we have such a large and committed group of volunteers. It’s because we want to show off our city and make you love it, too!
The Hoosier Chapter’s 350 members are ready to welcome you to Indiana and show you firsthand what Hoosier hospitality means. We can’t wait for you to join us for the 2016 PRSA International Conference!
Hoosier PRSA President
As associate director of strategic initiatives for the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Andrea Farmer, APR, provides communications counsel that builds support for the NCAA’s mission to provide opportunities for all student-athletes. In her role, Farmer works with internal stakeholders and agency partners to develop communications plans, strategies and tactics that educate and build relationships with the Association’s target audiences.
Prior to joining the NCAA, Farmer was a senior account director at Borshoff, one of Indiana’s largest communications and marketing agencies. At Borshoff, Farmer led large integrated accounts and oversaw client projects for the Indiana Department of Transportation, the City of Indianapolis, J.D. Byrider, Starbucks and GTECH/Lottomatica, among others. Farmer also managed crisis communications and served as the primary media contact for Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, when the hospital encountered the first U.S case of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2014.
A winner of multiple local, regional and national industry awards, Farmer is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America and is president of the Hoosier Chapter of PRSA. Additionally, she serves on the board of directors for Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis. She graduated magna cum laude from Ball State University, where she majored in public relations.