Okanagan Valley Entrepreneurs Society (OVES) & Kelowna Scotiabank proudly presented the April Townhall Meeting.

Topic: Public Relations: How to Get Free Publicity

Date: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Location: Ramada Hotel Kelowna, 2170 Harvey Ave 

As an entrepreneur, a Public Relations strategy is a vital component of your business plan. Hosting special events and sponsorships, and other activities designed to raise your brand awareness can be expensive and out of the reach of many entrepreneurs. But what about publicity … the free kind?

Publicity is often overlooked as a primary marketing tool to gain attention and interest in a product, service, or company.

Our panel of local entrepreneurs and media personalities will share their experiences with creating a "buzz" about their products and services and offer sage advice that you can use to "publicize" your entrepreneurial venture.

Our Panellists:

Lisa Redl was part of Kelowna's new morning show with David Larsen and Tony Peyton on K96.3. She is a News Reporter/Anchor and has worked for a number of media outlets including CHBC news, SunFM and 103.9 "The Juice".

Hoping to add a bit of "good" news to Kelowna, Lisa has created and hosts a weekly feature on Castanet called "Out There" where she gets involved in local events and organizations and files reports from a first person type narrative. Click here to see Lisa's April Fools episode of On a Brighter Note, a tongue in cheek customer service training video. 

International speaker and master storyteller, Maggie Reigh IS energy, warmth and enthusiasm! Her presentations and seminars are guaranteed to be inspirational, entertaining, informational and fun for all ages. Maggie weaves stories, anecdotes and humor into time proven principles and techniques that add quality and substance to life and relationships.

Maggie has delivered over 800 seminars and presentations. She is a published author with two degrees in Education. She has helped thousands of individuals to improve communication skills, connect meaningfully with others, deal with stress, and effectively manage change. She has taught students from kindergarten to university and beyond, in Canada and overseas, and has developed numerous programs for educators, business people, children, childcare givers and parents. Maggie has traveled as a speaker with Pryor Resources and she taught “Human Relations in the Workplace” at Okanagan University College. CBC radio and CHBC television feature Maggie as a regular columnist, and she frequently appears on other radio and television broadcasts.

Combining education and entertainment, Maggie’s “edutainment” style keeps audiences and workshop participants active and involved. She’ll leave you laughing out loud while reflecting upon life’s most meaningful messages. She is the owner of Light Reigh Communication and her website can be viewed by clicking here.

Leesa Beeson:

Leesa's expertise lies in publicity, branding, promotions, public / media relations, and event planning for small and large business. She also works as a publicist for brand identities and writes marketing advice columns for various business publications.

With over 15 years in senior executive marketing management, Leesa has been fortunate to work with a wide array of high-profile clients … from real estate developments, entertainment & media companies, tv/film/radio/print, restaurant and retail chains … to municipal politics.

Leesa's current client's roster spans many industries, a few of her clients include:

* 2005-2010- Canadian Country Music Awards - Producer Gala Awards show and Industry Awards show (held in various Canadian cities across the country every year.)
* 2009 / 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (Toronto, On) - Script Writer / Floor Director
* 2010 Western Canadian Music Awards (Kelowna, BC) - Sponsorship Manager
* Canadian DAKAR Race Team - Canadian Publicist
* Woodland Hills Real Estate Development - Publicist
* SOPA Square Real Estate Development &  Opine Films and Entertainment - Canadian Publicist

Click here to visit Leesa's website.

Moderator: Rae Stonehouse OVES Society - Vice-Chair of Education

Rae is a Registered Nurse/Entrepreneur who has worked in the healthcare field for over thirty years. Very active within the Toastmasters organization Rae has taken on increasingly challenging leadership roles and is currently involved in developing entrepreneurial educational and mentoring programs. His passion is helping others to succeed. His business, Live For Excellence Productions, provides meeting, seminar, workshop & event planning for the Okanagan Valley. Rae Stonehouse Speaker Services provides emcee services and speech coaching in the Okanagan Valley.

Providing meeting, seminar, workshop, conference & event planning for the Okanagan Valley

To Contact Us:

                            Phone: 250-451-6564

                            E-mail: info@liveforexcellence.com