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    MAY 13-14, 2025

    Crisis Communications & Media Relations Seminar

    We're excited to host two single-day crisis communications and media relations seminars with expert Dr. Joseph V. Trahan III. The May 13 seminar is for Commonwealth agency staff, and the May 14 seminar is for emergency management leadership at the county/municipal level.

    At A Glance

    ⏰ Start time: 8 a.m.

    📌 Location:     Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Monongahela Room
    2300 N Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17110

    🙋‍♀️ Intended Audience:     Commonwealth agency staff on May 13; county/municipal emergency management leaders on May 14.

    Directions
    Agenda
    Materials

    Getting There

    Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Monongahela Room

    Directions

    1. Park in the lot on Maclay Street.

    2. Enter through the Maclay Street lobby.

    3. To your right, take the stairs or elevator to the second foor.

    4. Follow along the hallway. Enter through the double doors to the left and down into the Monongahela Room.

    Farm Show Complex Info

    Agenda

    Select the date of the event you're attending to view the day's agenda.

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    8 to 8:30 a.m.
    Arrival and registration. Coffee and water available.

     

    8:30 to 8:45 a.m.
    Introductions and course objectives. Welcome and intro of Dr. Joseph Trahan III.

     

    8:45 to 10:35 a.m
    The Dos and Don'ts of Crisis Communications

     

    10:35 to 10:45 a.m.
    Morning break. Coffee and water available.

     

    10:45 a.m. to Noon
    Tips for Dealing with Mis-, Dis-, and Malinformation

     

    Noon to 1 p.m.
    Catered lunch

     

    1 to 3 p.m.
    The Dos and Don'ts of Media Relations

     

    3 to 3:10 p.m.
    Afternoon break. Coffee and water available.

     

    3:10 to 4 p.m.
    The Dos and Don'ts of Media Relations (continued)

     

    4 to 4:15 p.m.
    Session wrap-up and closing   
     

    8 to 8:30 a.m.
    Arrival and registration. Coffee and water available.

     

    8:30 to 8:45 a.m.
    Introductions and course objectives. Welcome and intro of Dr. Joseph Trahan III.

     

    8:45 to 10:15 a.m.
    The Dos and Don'ts of Crisis Communications

     

    10:15 to 10:30 a.m.
    Morning break. Coffee and water available.

     

    10:30 a.m. to Noon
    The Dos and Don'ts of Media Relations

     

    Noon to 1 p.m.
    Catered lunch

     

    1 to 3 p.m.
    The Dos and Don'ts of Media Relations (continued)

     

    3 to 3:10 p.m.
    Afternoon break. Coffee and water available.

     

    3:10 to 4:15 p.m.
    Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center Scenarios and Practice

     

    4:15 to 4:30 p.m.
    Session wrap-up and closing   

    Materials

    Here's what you need for the seminar.

    About Dr. Trahan

    Dr. Joseph V. Trahan Headshot

    President and CEO, Trahan & Associates

    Dr. Joseph V. Trahan III is an expert trainer in media relations and crisis and risk communications. He has 41 years of public relations experience in the government, association, education, and nonprofit sectors. A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, he served as commander of the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

     

    Since 1998, Dr. Trahan has trained more than 3,500 people annually in media relations. He has trained people in 46 states, England, Norway, France, Belgium, Paraguay, Mexico, Canada, and  Netherlands.

    In 2019, Dr. Trahan was inducted into the Rowan University Public Relations Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was inducted into the Southern Public Relations Federation Hall of Fame. 

    A native of New Orleans, Dr. Trahan graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor's degree in American military history. He holds a master's degree in public relations from Ball State University, and a Ph.D. in mass communications from The University of Southern Mississippi.

    Dr. Trahan is a longtime fan of the New Orleans Saints.