2008 TAMIO Annual Conference
Menger Hotel
204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio
June 12-13, 2008
TAMIO AT THE ALAMO!
Conference Schedule
8:00 a.m.
9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
News releases, press conferences, on-camera interviews: It’s enough to strike fear in the hearts of any self respecting PIO. But they are necessary tools to get the job done. Some seasoned pros will help you sort out the dos and don’ts of writing news releases, setting up and conducting press conferences, and doing on-camera interviews.
Speakers: Doug Adolph, City of Sugar Land; Dana Baird, City of Frisco
The Internet: a blessing, or a curse. Could be both if you’re not using it to its fullest. Some experts are on hand to help you discover some Web-based opportunities for expanding services to your residents and making the best use of the technical tools available today.
Speakers: Erin McDonald, City of Georgetown; Marian Ramirez, City of Alamo Heights
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
What’s open, what’s not; that is the question. There have been some changes in the state law regarding open records and open meetings, and cities are facing challenges on all sides. Good legal advice is what you need, and a municipal government attorney experienced in open records/open meetings will discuss the law and answer your questions..
Speakers: Helen Valkovich, City of San Antonio; Thornton Wood, Attorney General's Office, Austin
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Who said this job couldn’t be fun? There are a lot of opportunities to be creative and have a good time. Some of TAMIO’s wackiest members will share some of their craziest ideas and wildest experiences.
Speakers: Amy Sprinkles, City of Grand Prairie; Donna Huerta, City of Rowlett; Sharon Logan, City of Coppell; James Kunke, City of Lewisville
1:45 – 3:00 p.m.
Two heads are better than one, especially in a crisis situation. TAMIO members share their experiences pulling departments and agencies together during a critical situation and offer tips on managing a crisis rather than letting the crisis manage you.
Speakers: Keith Hutchinson, City of Georgetown; MaryAnn Vasquez, City of San Angelo
From copyrighting and music licensing to HIPPA and personnel matters, communicators face legal questions daily in their jobs. Get some advice from legal professionals on these issues and others.
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
If the idea of working in PhotoShop or Quark gives you the hives, and an in-house graphics designer is not on the budget radar, this session is for you. A city graphics designer and a printing company official will help you with some basic design issues and will help answer your printing questions.
Speakers: Rick Sales, City of Mansfield; Dave Falzareno, Clear Vision, Inc., San Antonio
Reaching a younger or specialized target market may take a bit of creativity on your part. Then, there’s the Internet! Is it here to stay or just “trendy”? Podcasting, YouTube, blogging, MySpace, and text messaging are some of the tools for virtual networks and neighborhoods. Learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of social networking via the World Wide Web.
Speakers: Will Hampton, City of Round Rock; Connie Moss, Northeast Texas Library System (NETLS) Coordinator, Garland
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m.
Texas Cities Work Idea Exchange
Set your alarm early and join us for breakfast and brainstorming! Learn what's new with the TML Texas Cities Work Initiative, hear how other cities have creatively adopted this public relations campaign, and help us think of new ways to bring TCW to your city.
Facilitators: Gwena Cearley, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Texas Municipal League, Austin; Karla Vining, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Municipal League, Austin
9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
This roundtable discussion will answer some of the basic questions about municipal cable television, including equipment and technology changes, software, programming ideas, and new industry regulations and their impact on PEG channels.
Speakers: Betsy Deck, City of Euless; Michael Ryan, City of Flower Mound
What is branding, and why should you be doing it? It’s certainly a buzzword in marketing circles today, but you are probably already branding your city, and you didn’t even hire a consulting firm to help. Experts will help you understand the basics of branding and how it can help your marketing efforts. They’ll also discuss the branding process many cities are going through today.
Speaker: Jay G. Socol, Texas Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M, College Station; Hilary Shine, City of Killeen
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Look out, Ebert and Roper. Those Farmers Branch video aficionados, Tom Bryson and Duane Bishop, are back for our annual look at some of the best PSAs produced by communication professionals from around Texas and the country. And once again, PSA Theater takes the stage. No throwing popcorn, please.
Speakers: Tom Bryson, City of Farmers Branch; Duane Bishop, City of Farmers Branch
When Politics Hit the Fan: Survival in a Politically Charged Environment Referendums, recalls, city councils at war. No matter what’s happening in the council chamber, you have your job to do. But how do you keep communications open and positive when your elected officials are at each others throats, or highly charged political issues put your city in an unfavorable light. Some TAMIO members offer their experiences on staying sane and surviving the political fallout.
Speaker: Tina Jauz, City of Midland; Belinda Willis, City of Mansfield
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
2008 TAMI Awards
2:00 p.m.
General Information
TAMIO Member Registration Fee: Register by 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday,
May 16, and receive the discounted early
registration fee of $155. For registrations received at TML after 5:00 p.m. (CST) on May 16, the registration fee is $175.
TAMIO Non-Member Registration Fee: $185.
Additional tickets can be purchased at $30 each for guests to attend the TAMI Awards Luncheon at noon on Friday, June 13.
The registration fee includes all sessions, handout materials, breakfasts, lunches, refreshment breaks, and receptions.
The seminar will be held at the Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio. The hotel is offering a special room rate of $120 single/double/triple/quad. For reservations, please call 800-345-9285 or 210-223-4361 by May 21, 2008, and identify yourself as a Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Spring Conference participant.
If you are registered and cannot attend, we encourage you to send a substitute. If you cannot send a substitute, a $45 registration cancellation fee will be assessed if written cancellation is received by Friday, June 6. No refunds will be honored after that date.
Confirmations will be sent via e-mail at least one week prior to the conference, and conference badges will be mailed to you in advance. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR BADGE TO THE CONFERENCE.
Call Avis at 800-331-1600, or make reservations online at www.avis.com. The Avis World Wide Discount (AWD) Number is J867208 (Texas Municipal League).
Enterprise Corporate Class discounts are available at www.enterprise.com or by calling 800-736-8222. Your Corporate Class number is Y21222. Enter TEX for the company name.
The hotel offers valet parking or self parking in surrounding lots.
We want to help, so please let us know on the registration form if you need special accommodations of any kind. In order to respond to any special request, we would appreciate as much advance notice as possible. Thank you.
You may contact the TML Program Development Department in the following ways:
- Phone: 512-231-7400, ext. 442
- Fax: 512-231-7494
- E-mail: kim@tml.org
- Mail: 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78754-5128
You also may contact TAMIO President Sharon Logan at slogan@ci.coppell.tx.us or 972-304-7065.
The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO – www.texastamio.org) was created as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. TAMIO actively seeks to:
- Advance and promote the cooperation and exchange of information and ideas among Texas cities.
- Provide professional development for public information and communications professionals who work in municipal government or similar agencies.
- Provide public relations assistance where possible to municipalities and the Texas Municipal League (TML).
- Promote recognition outside the organization for achievement in communication with citizens.
Contact TAMIO President Sharon Logan at slogan@ci.coppell.tx.us or 972-304-7065.
- Register online for the TAMIO Spring Conference now.
- Download and fax a .pdf version of the registration form to 512-231-7495.
- Mail the .pdf version of the registration form to:
TML Administrative Services
1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78754-5128