7th Annual Communications Conference to address media ownership and minorities
MIAMI GARDENS – Florida Memorial University’s Department of Communications will host its 7th Annual Communications Conference, which will take place on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in the Smith Conference Center on campus (15800 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami Gardens).
This year, panelists are invited to address the ever-changing roles and business opportunities allotted to minorities as they discuss this year’s theme, “Media Ownership and Minorities.”
Approximately 150-200 from local high schools in Miami-Dade County are scheduled to attend the workshops and listen to Bobby Henry, President / CEO of The Westside Gazette newspaper as he delivers his keynote speech and urges young guests to pursue careers in journalism.
The conference schedule, along with its respective panelists, is the following:
Broadcast/Online/Print Journalism Panel
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Tsitsi D. Wakhisi
Managing Editor, Miami News Service
Kervin Clenance
General Manager, Radio One
Neki Mohan
Reporter / Anchor, WPLG Local 10
Johnson Ng
United Chinese News of Florida
Mohamed Hamaludin
Editor, Miami Herald Neighbors
César A. Pizarro
Business Manager, El Nuevo Herald
Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations Panel
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Cynthia Stafford
Associate Vice President, Sonshine Communications
Natalia Flores
Corporate Communications Manager, Hispanic PR Wire
Mari García
Vice President of Client Services, Imagen The Marketing Agency
Suzan McDowell
President & CEO, Circle of One Marketing
Lisa Silvera
Vice President / Creative Director / Partner, Thinkking Media
Christopher Ian
Vice President / Creative Director / Partner, Thinkking Media
Marvin Dejean
President / CEO, Markcom Industries
Keynote Speaker
12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
Bobby Henry
Publisher / CEO, The Westside Gazette
For the past seven years, the conference was organized at Florida Memorial to provide an outlet for motivated students to interact with broadcast journalists and business owners about pointed issues pertaining to the communications profession. Dr. William-Jong Ebot, Chairperson for the Department of Humanities, stated that the conference provides an excellent opportunity for high school and college students to network with established, highly-regarded communications practitioners.
“Our panelists are leaders in the fields of broadcasting, advertising, marketing, and public relations. Students have access to these individuals and should approach them accordingly,” he said.