Keynote Speaker: David Marriott
Daytime Job: Co-Owner of Gogerty Marriott in Seattle, Wa.

David Marriott, a 35-year PR professional, will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 conference. Marriott, recognized as an industry expert in crisis management and crisis communications, has done extensive crisis planning and communication in the healthcare industry as well as the highly visible case of Amanda Knox. Marriott will speak on the Amanda Knox Story and Role of the Media.

Marriott has worked as an Emmy award-winning journalist for Seattle’s CBS affiliate and served as former Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman’s press secretary. He was awarded the PR Professional of the Year award in 2001 and 2011 by the PRSA Puget Sound Chapter and was inducted into the University of Washington School of Communications Alumni Hall of Fame. To read Marriott’s full bio, click here.

Keynote Speaker: Robbin Phillips
Daytime Job: President & Co-Founder of Brains on Fire

Phillips, an expert in word of mouth marketing, will speak about “The Passion Conversation: How Brands Make Business Personal & Sustainable.” Phillips is also co-author of the book Brains on Fire: Igniting Powerful, Sustainable Word of Mouth Movements and The Passion Conversation: Sparking, Sustaining, & Spreading Word of Mouth.

Keynote Speaker: David Higdon
Daytime Job: Managing Director, Integrated Marketing Communications at NASCAR

A seasoned reporter, writer, editor and producer, Higdon will address how NASCAR ignited its communications through unprecedented fan and media engagement.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joe Trahan Daytime Job: President & CEO, Trahan & Associates

With over thirty-two years of public relations and affairs experience, Dr. Trahan will speak about the three parts of an effective media relations standup: Preparation for the standup interview, conducting the interview and interview evaluation.