2024 OCPRA Annual Conference
Experience an exciting three-day professional development conference tailored for higher education marketing and communication professionals.
July 14, 2024 - August 16, 2024  ·  Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center

The Oklahoma College Public Relations Association's Annual Conference showcases industry speakers delivering insightful presentations on topics relevant to the field. Attendees have the opportunity to network with fellow professionals in a supportive environment and take home valuable insights on current trends and best practices at an affordable rate.

Attendees will also celebrate the best in contemporary marketing and communications from educational institutions - both public and private - throughout the State of Oklahoma at the Annual Awards Banquet on Monday night.

The conference schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. The conference app will be updated in real-time throughout the conference and notifications of changes will be pushed out to conference attendees.

Agenda
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
For members of the board.
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
For members of the board.
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Check-in will be located in front of Grand Ballroom.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Attending the OCPRA Annual Conference for the first time? Fantastic! Meet other first-timers at Dave and Buster's and get practical tips, advice, and answers to all your questions.
6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Let's have some fun! Join us at Dave & Buster's or our official conference kickoff.
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
8:15 AM - 9:30 AM
8:15 AM - 9:30 AM
The session will highlight the lessons learned, best practices for campus safety, and the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies. Hear from leaders at Rose State College and Northeastern State University.
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
You’ve only got a few seconds to hook your audience and every frame counts. Join us as we talk about practical tips and strategies to make your short-form videos more exciting, easier to produce, and appealing to the iPad generation.
Join us on an introductory journey into the world of color and how it applies to our work as marketing professionals.
By studying how wrestlers cultivate their personas and align themselves with specific themes, we gain insights into branding strategies that can strengthen content identity and increase brand awareness.
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Let’s talk about how maintaining your brand identity can help attract and retain students.
In this session, we will discuss the political landscape of Oklahoma, the state of education policy, and how to effectively engage in building strong relationships and messages with elected officials and other stakeholders.
Learn how an Oklahoma public institution with limited staff and funding infused energy and authenticity into their branding while complementing their institution's strategic enrollment efforts.
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us for an interactive group discussion on professional growth, teamwork, and building key partnerships as he shares insights from his leadership experience across global consumer brands, energy, mining, and public affairs advocacy.
Discover what Google has to offer and why it's important for your organization to utilize it.
Humanize your content by telling feature stories that leave a lasting impact on readers. This presentation takes writers beyond the inverted pyramid to a style of writing that challenges the creative mind.
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Optimizing Your Marketing Strategies for Targeted Fundraising
Many of us find ourselves in social media management without any training or background in the field, I am here to help you all learn from my mistakes and successes as I share realistic tips and tricks for navigating your digital presence.
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
6:45 PM - 8:45 PM
6:45 PM - 8:45 PM
We're celebrating the best in contemporary marketing and communications from education institutions - both public and private - throughout Oklahoma.
8:45 PM - 11:30 PM
8:45 PM - 11:30 PM
Join us in a toast to the winners and celebrate with your colleagues! You can also enjoy snacks and refreshments or join in a board game. Come hang out with us!
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Open to all conference attendees.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
There will be three 20-minute rotations. Choose a table topic of your interest and let's have some productive discussions and share ideas.
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
In this dynamic presentation, attendees will delve into the intricate and invaluable skill of schmoozing – the art of building meaningful connections that can elevate your public relations efforts to new heights.
Speakers
Vice President for University Relations
Vice Chancellor for Government Relations
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Government Relations and Oklahoma's Political Climate: Fall 2024
Director of Communications
Oklahoma City Community College
Executive Director & CEO
Route 66 Alliance
The Art of the Schmooze
Director of Research and Communications
25th Hour Communications
Introduction to Research: How to gather data to make smart marketing decisions
Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations
25th Hour Communications
From Logo to Legend: Make Managing Your Brand a Superpower
Digital Communications Manager
Oklahoma State University
Short and Shareable: How to Create Engaging Videos for Social Media
Senior Director of Campus Operations
Rose State College
Crisis on Campus: Lessons Learned from the Rose State College Shooting
Director of SEO
Megaphone Pro Solutions and Co-Creator GBP Rocket
The Google Atmosphere - How to Utilize Google to Propel Your Organization to Another Level
Digital Media Manager
USAO
How to Start your Social Media Strategy
Resolute PR
Beyond Enrollment: Shifting To A Donor Centric Marketing Mindset
Langston University
Langston University PR Team- How Digital Can Transform a PR Plan - Even on a Tight Budget
Communications Coordinator
Seminole State College
The Unstoppable Force Meets the Immovable Object: What Pro Wrestling Can Teach Us About Content Strategy
Web Development and Digital Marketing Director
Oklahoma Baptist University
Taste the Brand Rainbow: Color Theory for Marketers 101
Chief Communications Officer,
Oklahoma State University
Leadership at the Tip of the Spear
Writer and Web Editor
Oklahoma Today Magazine

Jarrett Jobe

Government Relations and Oklahoma's Political Climate: Fall 2024

Ken Busby

The Art of the Schmooze

Lauren McDermott and Dewey Price

Introduction to Research: How to gather data to make smart marketing decisions

Dewey Price

From Logo to Legend: Make Managing Your Brand a Superpower

Hayley Hagen

Short and Shareable: How to Create Engaging Videos for Social Media

Joedon B. Hughes

Crisis on Campus: Lessons Learned from the Rose State College Shooting

Chris Berton

The Google Atmosphere - How to Utilize Google to Propel Your Organization to Another Level

Tailor Sutherland

How to Start your Social Media Strategy

Jennifer Harrington Karlie Oney

Beyond Enrollment: Shifting To A Donor Centric Marketing Mindset

Langston University Public Relations Team

Langston University PR Team- How Digital Can Transform a PR Plan - Even on a Tight Budget

Josh Hutton

The Unstoppable Force Meets the Immovable Object: What Pro Wrestling Can Teach Us About Content Strategy

Damon Seymour

Taste the Brand Rainbow: Color Theory for Marketers 101

Lance Latham

Leadership at the Tip of the Spear

No records found.

ATTENDEES

A total of 136 people have registered so far. The following 136 have opted to share their information.

No records found.

Awards Banquet Sponsor
Awards Banquet Sponsor

Thank  you to 25th Hour Communications for their generous support of our conference. 

Parking Information

From the hotel:

We have had a recent change with our parking system. The parking charges are now done differently than before. When guests arrive they will see signs in the parking lot and front desk about paying for parking. Please inform your staff and guests they will need to scan the QR code with their phone or text a number for the link to pay for parking. The group has complimentary parking contracted for both hotel guests and conference attendees and will need to enter code: RENTN for the duration of their stay or for day parking.

Frequently Asked Questions

First time attending the OCPRA Annual Conference? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about what you can expect.

 

What is included in the registration fee?

You have several registration options. Full conference registration includes access to the all sessions, hotel accommodations, meals and the Awards Banquet.

 

Are the meals included?

Yes, meals are included with full registration and partial registration. Please check the agenda for times and availability.

 

What is the dress code at the conference?

For the majority of the conference, the dress code is business casual. However for the first night of the conference (Sunday), we encourage attendees to dress casual and wear their collegiate spirit wear. For the Awards Banquet, attendees are typically in business or business casual. Meeting rooms can get chilly, so we recommend layers for your comfort.

 

How can I make a request for special needs or meals?

During the registration process, there is an opportunity to make us aware of any special needs or dietary restrictions. You may also email us at ocpra.org@gmail.com for additional questions or concerns.

Things to do in Tulsa

The Renaissance has an on-site restaurant and sports bar serving drinks and appetizers. The facility has a fitness center and indoor swimming pool.

In addition to Dave and Buster’s, where we will be holding our Sunday night welcome events, our conference hotel is located just minutes from shopping, restaurant, and entertainment options along Tulsa’s bustling 71st Street corridor.

You’ll find nearby

  •   Woodland Hills Mall
  • Retailers including Ulta, Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, Pan Asia Market, and more
  • Sky Zone Trampoline Park
  • Spa Lux Day Spa
  • All-Star Sports Complex (batting cages and mini-golf)
  • Murder Escape Escape Room
  • Dozens of dining options, including seafood, Mexican, Pan-Asian, sushi, Chinese, BBQ, mochi donuts, gourmet ice cream, and more

The Renaissance is conveniently located on Highway 169, which means you’re minutes from Tulsa’s world-famous cultural destinations, including:

  • Gathering Place
  • The Philbrook Museum
  • Greenwood Rising
  • The Woody Guthrie Center
  • Oklahoma Aquarium
  • Tulsa Zoo
  • The Golden Driller statue
  • Downtown Tulsa
  • Route 66
  • Mother Road Market
  • Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

For more information on things to do in Tulsa, see https://www.visittulsa.com/things-to-do/