Utah PRSA

2025 Golden Spike Awards
2025-11-13 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Rice Eccles Stadium, 451 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, Rice Eccles Stadium, 451 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States
About the Event
Celebrate Utah’s best in public relations at the 2025 Golden Spike Awards—an evening honoring standout campaigns, tactics, and professionals across the state. Network with peers, meet the finalists, and toast the winners in an unforgettable night of recognition and community.

Get Your 2025 Golden Spike Awards Tickets
Ticket sales have now closed.
Tickets were available as single tickets (open seating) or as tables (guaranteed group seating for eight individuals).

General Admission:$100.00
Table (8):$800.00

When & Where

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Venue: University of Utah Ken Garff University Club at Rice–Eccles Stadium
Address: 451 S 1400 E, Ste 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Transit: UTA TRAX Red Line — Stadium Station (short walk to the stadium)

Evening Schedule

6:00 PM — Doors & Networking Reception (Hosted Bar)
6:30 PM — Dinner Service
7:15 PM — Awards Program
~9:00 PM — Closing & Photos

Who Should Attend

PR, communications, marketing, and public affairs professionals
In-house, agency, nonprofit, higher-ed & government teams
Students & emerging professionals
Sponsors, partners, and community leaders

What We’re Celebrating
The Golden Spike Awards feature Campaigns, Tactics, and the new Bronze Spike recognitions (e.g., innovative AI usage, storytelling, social video, and more). Submissions are evaluated using RPIE/measurement best practices and highlight high-impact outcomes across sectors.
Key Entry Notes (for entrants)

Entry deadline extended: September 21, 2025
Eligibility window: Work produced in part between Aug 1, 2024 and Jul 31, 2025
Submission: One project per form; summary + supporting items uploaded as a single PDF

(See the official awards page for categories, fees, and full rules.)
Awards details ·
Submit entries
Attire
Business or cocktail attire (black-tie optional).
Parking & Arrival

Parking: On-site stadium parking available (details TBD; consider rideshare).
Transit: UTA TRAX Red Line — Stadium Station adjacent to Rice–Eccles Stadium.
Venue Entrance: Ken Garff University Club, South End Zone / Ste 201.

Accessibility
The venue and stadium entrances are accessible. If you need accommodations (seating, dietary, ASL, etc.), please add a note at checkout or contact the organizer.
Sponsorship
Showcase your brand to Utah’s communications leaders. View sponsor info or email us for custom packages.

Questions? Contact the organizer or reply to your ticket confirmation email.

Leading with Connection: Career Lessons from Amanda Covington
2025-12-03 11:30 - 13:30 | Zions Bank Headquarters – Founders Room, 1 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT, 84133, United States
What does it take to build a meaningful, resilient career in communications? How do you nurture relationships, say “yes” to the right opportunities, and navigate change with confidence?
Join Utah PRSA for a special conversation with Amanda Covington, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the Larry H. Miller Company. Amanda will share insights from more than two decades in corporate affairs, government relations, and executive leadership—spanning aerospace and defense, higher education, state government, and corporate communications.
In this session, Amanda will explore:

How to intentionally build and nurture your network throughout your career
Why having the courage to say “yes” to new opportunities can change your trajectory
Practical ways to navigate adversity and uncertainty with clarity and strength
What resilience looks like in real-life leadership and life outside of work

Whether you’re a student, an early-career professional, or a seasoned leader, you’ll walk away with practical perspectives on making brave career decisions, investing in relationships, and staying grounded in your values.
Guest Speaker
Amanda Covington is the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for the Larry H. Miller Company
Amanda Covington is the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for the Larry H. Miller Company, where she leads communications, government relations, and community initiatives. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Relations for Vista Outdoor Inc. and has more than 20 years of experience guiding corporate communications and public policy strategies.
Her background spans financial and crisis communications, media and public relations (domestic and international), corporate branding and advertising, digital and employee communications, legislative affairs, association work, and community relations.
Before her roles in the private sector, Amanda served as:

Vice President of Corporate Communications for ATK (aerospace, defense, and commercial products)
Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs at the Utah System of Higher Education, where she led communications and legislative strategy for the State Board of Regents
Deputy for Communications and spokesperson for Utah Governor Olene S. Walker
Director of Communications for the Utah Department of Transportation

She began her career in broadcast journalism, working for Utah’s NBC and ABC affiliates.
Amanda is deeply engaged in community leadership. She serves as chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education, is an executive board member of the Utah Women’s Leadership Institute, sits on the advisory board for First Lady Abby Cox’s ShowUp Utah! Initiative, and serves on the boards of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and 47G Utah Aerospace & Defense. She has also served as a trustee for Weber State University and Davis Technical College.
In 2023, the Salt Lake Chamber honored her as an Athena, and she was recognized as one of Utah Business Magazine’s “30 Women to Watch.” She is a graduate of the University of Utah, with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the Honors College and a Master of Public Administration. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Locations
Join us in the way that works best for you:

In-person Luncheon – Salt Lake CityZions Bank Headquarters – Founders RoomAddress: 1 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84133(Park in the City Creek Center parking garage and proceed to the Zions Bank Founders Room on the 18th floor.)
In-person Watch Party – St. GeorgeUtah Tech University225 S Univ Ave, St. George, UT 84770
Online – ZoomJoin us virtually from anywhere.(Zoom link will be provided upon registration.)

January Luncheon
2026-01-21 11:30 - 13:00 | Riverton Hospital Education Center, 3741 W 12600 S, Riverton, UT, 84065, United States
We’re teaming up with the Utah PIO Association for a free quarterly luncheon—thanks to our sponsor, Intermountain Health.
Join us on January 21, 2026 at the Riverton Hospital Education Center. South Jordan’s communications team will walk us through how they built excitement and shaped public perception during the Salt Lake Bees relocation announcement.
Golden Spike Awards
What to expect

A behind-the-scenes look at messaging strategy and rollout timing
Tactics used to build momentum and manage public perception
Takeaways you can apply to your next high-visibility announcement

Building Buzz Through Strategic Communications
When the Salt Lake Bees announced their move to South Jordan, the City’s communications team launched a two-phase campaign to address concerns and build excitement. Phase One focused on resident concerns, like traffic and parking, much of which was largely outside the City’s control. Phase Two pivoted to what the City could own: storytelling, identity, and civic pride. Through creative video, mayoral messaging, and strategic media, the campaign generated overwhelming positive sentiment and about the Bees new home in South Jordan. This session explores how communicators can shape perception and drive connection amid multi-agency complexities and branding challenges.
✅ Key Points Covered:

Lessons from Phase One: When public concerns aren’t yours to fix
Shifting to strength: Focusing messaging on what you can control
Creative content strategy
Leveraging elected officials to build trust and authority
Promoting your identity when branding conflicts
Measuring success: Sentiment, engagement, media, and clarity
Takeaways for communicators navigating multi-jurisdictional projects

Schedule

11:30 AM — Arrival + lunch/networking
12:00 PM — Program begins (speaker)
1:00 PM — Wrap

Format
Hybrid: In-person + streamedStreaming details will be shared with attendees.
Who can attend
Utah PRSA & Utah PIO Association members
Cost
Free
Location
Riverton Hospital, Education Center
Riverton Hospital Education Center

February Luncheon
2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Zions Bank Headquarters – Founders Room, 1 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT, 84133, United States
Utah PRSA • February Luncheon (Online)
When Information Moves Faster Than Facts
Preparing People for What They Don’t Want to Think About
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 • Online-Only

SIGN UP NOWATTENDANCE OPTIONSMEET THE SPEAKER

When a crisis hits, information spreads instantly—often before facts are confirmed. Drawing on experience as lead
Public Information Officer during the March 18, 2020, Magna earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic, this session examines
the realities of communicating in fast-moving, high-pressure situations.
Attendees will explore the challenge of preparing people on “blue sky” days—when readiness messaging feels easy to ignore—
and why that work directly impacts how messages are received during an emergency. We’ll also share practical strategies for
managing misinformation, responding to rumors without amplifying them, and maintaining message discipline when information
is moving faster than facts.

Event Details

Date
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Format
Update: Online (Zoom)
Price
$5–$28 (varies by attendance option)

SIGN UP NOW

Choose How You Attend

In-person Luncheon — Salt Lake City
Zions Bank Headquarters — Founders Room
1 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84133
Parking: City Creek Center parking garage. Proceed to the Founders Room on the 18th floor.

In-person Watch Party — St. George
Utah Tech University
225 S Univ Ave, St. George, UT 84770

Online — Zoom
Join virtually from anywhere.
Zoom link will be provided upon registration for online ticket holders.

Guest Speaker

Tina Brown
Tina Brown is the PIO/JIC Manager for Salt Lake County Emergency Management (since July 2018), responsible for the operation of the county’s Joint Information Center (JIC). Before SLCo EM, Tina served as Communications Specialist / Public Information Officer for the City of South Jordan. She previously worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington, DC, and has collaborated with local and national news outlets, including KUTV Channel 2 where she helped write and produce stories for “Get Gephardt.”Tina holds a Master’s Degree in Public Information and Technology from Colorado State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Utah. She is also a certified Type III Wildland Firefighter.

Ticket Options

In-person SLC (Member): $20
In-person SLC (Nonmember): $28
St. George Watch Party: $18
Student (Either Location): $12
Online (Zoom) Member: $5
Online (Zoom) Nonmember: $10

Utah PRSA Spring Conference
2026-03-27 07:30 - 17:00 | Utah Valley University (Clarke Building), 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT, 84058, United States
Utah PRSA • Annual Professional Development Conference
Utah PRSA Spring Conference
March 27, 2026 • Utah Valley University (Clarke Building) • Orem, Utah

SIGN UP NOWVIEW SCHEDULE

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from experts in public relations, communications, and marketing.
This must-attend annual conference offers unmatched networking and professional development—from inspiring keynotes
to informative breakout sessions.

Event Details

When
March 27, 2026
Check-in begins 7:30 a.m.
Program starts 8:30 a.m.
Concludes 5:00 p.m.
Where
Utah Valley University — Clarke Building

800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058

Cost

$125 — PRSA Members & Utah PIO Association Members
$175 — Non-PRSA Members
$50 — Students

Includes
Lunch, Three Keynotes, One Media Panel, Nine Breakout Sessions, and Networking Breaks

SIGN UP NOW

Schedule at a Glance

Time
Session

7:30 a.m.
Registration Opens

8:15 a.m.
Welcome and opening announcements

8:30 a.m.
How to Identify and Land Nontraditional Media Placements – Michael Smart, CEO, MichaelSMARTPR

9:30 a.m.
Networking Break

9:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions – 1

How to Teach ChatGPT Your Brand Voice to Produce A+ Communications – Emmy Bell, Director of Marketing & Communications, UVU Woodbury School of Business
Crisis is Inevitable—Trust is Not: Lessons from a Flagship University – Chris Nelson, Chief University Relations Officer, University of Utah
Lead Like a Person: Transforming Top Performers into Trusted Leaders – Mark Carpenter, Speaker, Author, and Master Storyteller

10:35 a.m.
Networking Break

10:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions – 2

The Missing Link in Crisis Readiness: Preparing Crisis Spokespeople – Chris Thomas, Owner, Intrepid Agency
Prompt Responsibly: Using AI Without Losing Trust, Voice, or Your Job – Brock Damjanovich, Communications Manager, Salt Lake County Office of Regional Development
We Tried the Mr. Beast Method of Content Creation and Here’s What Happened – Wendy Coleman, APR, Director of PR & Content, Penna Powers and Abby Shemwell, Content Strategist, Penna Powers

11:35 a.m.
Networking Break

12:00 p.m.
Lunch

12:20 p.m.
Everything Old is New Again: The Real Connection Challenge for Communications – Alan Samuel Cohen, Executive & Communications Coach, ASC Coaching & Speaking

1:20 p.m.
Networking Break

1:45 p.m.
Breakout Sessions – 3

Ouch! Media Mistakes Laid Bare – Rachael Van Cleave, APR, Communications Manager/PIO, City of South Jordan
Authentic Storytelling & Strategic Brand Narrative in the AI Era – Lisa Kelley, Executive Business Strategist, SALES:CREATIVE, and Carlos Jasso, Creative Director, SALES:CREATIVE
From Classroom to Career: The PR Playbook for Your Final Year – Brooke Heath, MA, APR, Director of Public Relations, Southern Utah University, PRSA President; McKinley Hatch, Social Media & Digital Marketing Coordinator, Utah Tech University; Natalie Grecu, PhD, Associate Professor & UVU Faculty Ombuds, Utah Valley University; Ellie Widdison, Public Relations Student at Utah Valley University

2:35 p.m.
Networking Break

2:45 p.m.
Media Panel – Moderated by Scott Trotter, APR

3:35 p.m.
Networking Break

3:45 p.m.
Closing Announcements

4:00 p.m.
Mastering Narrative Strategy in the Age of Answer Engines – Lydia Dishman, SVP of Content Strategy, Method Communications

5:00 p.m.
Conclude

6:00 p.m.
Dine Around (optional add-on networking dinner)

Full agenda and speaker lineup will be announced mid-February.

Plan Your Visit

Parking
On-campus parking is available through the Passport app for $10/day.
Alternatively, a $5/day pass can be purchased online in advance for yellow permit parking areas.
Refer to the UVU campus map for the Clarke Building (CB) and nearby lots.

Hotel
Discounted rates are available at Hampton Inn & Suites Orem.
Use corporate ID #2692474 when booking.
Address: 851 W 1250 S, Orem, UT 84058.

Dine-Around
Following the conference, we encourage everyone to connect with their colleagues over dinner. There’s no organized dine-around, but grab a colleague or two and talk about what you learned over dinner.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring?
Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Sponsors help make this conference possible—supporting professional development, meaningful connections, and
high-quality programming for communicators across Utah.

Utah PRSA April Luncheon
2026-04-15 11:30 - 13:00 | Zions Bank Headquarters – Founders Room, 1 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT, 84133, United States
Utah PRSA • April Luncheon (Hybrid)
Degrees of Reputation: A Guide to Public Relations in Higher Education
A Panel Discussion with Professionals from Utah Universities
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 • Hybrid (Salt Lake City + St. George + Online)
SIGN UP NOW
ATTENDANCE OPTIONS
MEET THE PANEL

Join public relations professionals from universities across the state for a discussion about the challenges of communicating about higher education.
Topics include recent legislative changes affecting Utah universities, changing student demographics and strategies for reaching diverse audiences,
communication trends in higher education, and the future of public relations at Utah universities. The audience can ask the panel questions throughout the session.

Event Details

Date
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Format
Hybrid: In-person (SLC) + In-person (St. George) + Online (Zoom)
Price
$0–$28 (varies by ticket type)

SIGN UP NOW

Choose How You Attend

In-person Luncheon — Salt Lake City
Zions Bank Headquarters — Founders Room
1 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84133
Parking: City Creek Center parking garage. Proceed to the Founders Room on the 18th floor.

In-person Luncheon — St. George
Utah Tech University
225 S Univ Ave, St. George, UT 84770

Online — Zoom
Join virtually from anywhere.
Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

Panel

The panel will consist of professionals from:

University of Utah
Utah State University
Brigham Young University
Weber State University
Utah Valley University
Southern Utah University
Utah Tech University

Ticket Options

In-person SLC (Member): $20
In-person SLC (Nonmember): $28
In-person St. George (Member): $18
In-person St. George (Nonmember): $28
Student (Either Location): $12
Online (Zoom) Member: $0
Online (Zoom) Nonmember: $10

Utah PRSA May Luncheon
2026-05-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Utah Tech University, 225 S Univ Ave, St. George, 84770, United States
Utah PRSA • May Luncheon (Hybrid)
When the World Flips: Who You Really Are Shows Up
How communicators build trust before it’s tested
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 • Hybrid (Salt Lake City + St. George + Online)
SIGN UP NOW
ATTENDANCE OPTIONS
MEET THE SPEAKER

When pressure hits, we like to believe we’ll rise to the occasion. In reality, we reveal what we’ve practiced.
In communications and PR, those moments show up as crisis, conflict, missed expectations, and opportunities to build
or lose trust. This presentation challenges the idea that trust is built in the moment and reframes how it’s actually
developed through small, everyday interactions long before it’s tested. Drawing from real-world experience, attendees
will learn how intentional, consistent behaviors shape credibility, strengthen relationships, and prepare them to show up
when it matters most.

Event Details

Date
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Format
Hybrid: In-person (SLC) + In-person (St. George) + Online (Zoom)
Price
$0–$28 (varies by ticket type)

SIGN UP NOW

Choose How You Attend

In-person Luncheon — Salt Lake City
Mountain America Credit Union
9800 S Monroe St., Sandy, UT 84070

In-person Luncheon — St. George
Utah Tech University
225 S Univ Ave, St. George, UT 84770

Online — Zoom
Join virtually from anywhere.
Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

Guest Speaker

Ticket Options

In-person SLC (Member): $20
In-person SLC (Nonmember): $28
In-person St. George (Member): $18
In-person St. George (Nonmember): $28
Student (Either Location): $12
Online (Zoom) Member: $0
Online (Zoom) Nonmember: $10
