ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It's the public relations "can't miss" conference event of the year in New Mexico. Join the New Mexico chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (NMPRSA) on Friday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Embassy Suites to "Re-Engineer PR!"

This year PRSA redefined what "public relations" means to our profession. Now you can learn what it means for you and your company at this conference. This is NMPRSA's first state conference since 2007, and like then it's the "Can't Miss" event of NMPRSA's summer season!

Featuring nationally-recognized speakers Rick Rice and David Neff, the conference will cover topics ranging from the importance of research in public relations, to video for public relations professionals, to time management for busy professionals, to what PR pros can learn from public affairs experts and more!

After the conference, the NMPRSA will host its 15th annual Cumbre Awards Ceremony & Dinner recognizing excellence among the State's PR industry experts, and the outstanding campaigns and tactics they have created and executed on behalf of their clients. Pre-event networking begins at 6 p.m. while the Cumbre Awards & Dinner begin at 7 p.m.

The event will celebrate "Fitness in Business," including a silent auction, with proceeds utilized by NMPRSA to ensure that communications in the state stay "healthy" through professional development for members and scholarships for students involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

The conference cost is $79 for PRSA members and $99 for non-members. Tickets to attend the keynote lunch only are $40 PRSA members and $60 Non-PRSA members. Tickets for the Cumbre Awards Ceremony & Dinner are $65 per person or $500 for a table of eight, while tickets to both events are $134 PRSA members and $154 non-PRSA members. The Embassy Suites is located at 1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque, N.M.

Additionally, on Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., an APR Boot Camp, for those public relations professionals who are serious about becoming accredited, will be held at UNM. Participants will get the essentials of what they need to do to prepare for the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) examination. Tickets for the APR Boot Camp are $100. 

For more information and or to register, visit: http://nmprsa.com/events/reengineering_pr.

About the Keynote Speakers...

Morning Keynote: Rick Rice, The Evolution of Public Relations

With nearly 35 years of experience in corporate communications and PR, specializing in crisis and reputation management, Rick Rice has worked with organizations ranging from small, local businesses to Fortune 500 companies, non-profit foundations, and foreign governments. He most recently worked as president of GCI Group, San Francisco and managing director of its America's corporate practice, as well as general manager of Hill and Knowlton for San Francisco/Northern California and deputy director of its global technology practice.

Lunch Keynote: David Neff, The Future of Nonprofits

The Future of Nonprofits is the new playbook for nonprofit professionals in the 21st century. Sharing over a decade of experience, nonprofit game-changer David J. Neff helps conference attendees revitalize the nonprofit workplace.

In the Digital Age, the ability to "future cast" trends is of utmost importance; the staffing, workplace systems, and tech tools can make or break a nonprofit's success. The future of innovation, internal entrepreneurship, fundraising and social media communications are going to radically reshape the landscape of nonprofits in the next five years, and with this keynote, attendees are given the keys to dramatically change their organization.

SOURCE New Mexico PRSA