Registration is now open! The greatest Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations, the Valley Publicity Summit (#pubsum26), returns to beautiful Scottsdale on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026! Valley of the Sun SPJ and the Phoenix chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will present the 22nd annual Summit, which returns to the beautiful atrium and offices of 10 to 1 Public Relations, 7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite C-300 (3/4 mile west of the Via de Ventura exit off Loop 101, in Scottsdale.
This is the event that for more than two decades has brought media and public relations professionals together to share story pitching preferences, coverage, client lists and all kinds of information to improve and expand quality relationships between the Fourth Estate and the public relations profession.
The event will open its doors at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast, welcome and instructions at 9, followed by pitching/connecting sessions at individual media participants’ stations starting at 9:15. The event usually ends around 12:45 to 1 p.m., but we’ll stay so long as there are media and PR professionals talking.
A year of media contacts in one day
You could contact our more than two dozen journalists expected to attend on your own over the course of a typical year, but at the Summit you can accomplish the same thing in one day!
Here journalists will guide PR practitioners in their interactions and respond to their story interests. Likewise, PR professionals have the opportunity to acquaint journalists with potentially newsworthy information.
And bring your real pitches to pitch in our famed 3-minutes-per-pitch “speed pitching” sessions!
We expect, as usual, participation from representatives of major local print and broadcast media as well as from online journalism. This year, we’re including a variety of podcasters and influencers, too!
Keep watching this space below for a list of media professionals who have said they plan to join us at this year’s Valley Publicity Summit:
We will list more participating journalists as they are secured.
NOTE: While every effort is made to ensure the participation of journalists who have agreed to be part of this year’s Summit, circumstances beyond SPJ’s control may result in changes to the list of participating journalists.
As of Aug. 6, the following media pros have said they plan to attend. Those who have tentatively agreed to attend are so designated:
- THE AZ INSIDER: Holly Morgan, publisher; Shelly Talsma Everson, editor-in-chief
- FREELANCE: Tyler Butler, InBusiness Phoenix, Green Living Magazine and Fast Company (focus is on corporate responsibility, sustainability and inclusion). Founder, Collaboration for Good.
- FREELANCE: Shoshona Leon, freelance writer, influencer, @FoodieFoShow on Instagram
We will make sincere efforts to keep the growing list of participating journalists current. Last year, a total of 30 media volunteers were on hand!
Same great location!: We’re thrilled to be holding this year’s Summit one again in Scottsdale at 10 to 1 Public Relations, 7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite C-300 (at Via de Ventura, 3/4 mile west of Loop 101).
A continental breakfast, then all pitching sessions, will be INDOORS in the 10 to 1 offices and in the beautiful surrounding atrium balconies.
Here’s where you can get all the registration, deadline, refund, parking and other information. Remember: Early-bird registration expires Monday, Sept. 8.
Big benefit for early-bird registrants!
Sign up by Sept. 8 and you will get to start pitching 30 minutes before regular-price registrants who sign up after that date. Includes the buy-two-get-one-free category. You must sign up by Sept. 8 to get this benefit.
THINKING IT OVER? Don’t just take our word for how beneficial the Summit is. WATCH OUR SHORT TESTIMONIAL VIDEO featuring both PR and media professionals who recently attended the Summit.
Questions? Email phoenixspj@cox.net. If you’re a media professional interested in volunteering to meet with PR pros at the Summit, write jskurth@asu.edu.
The hashtag for this event is: #pubsum26
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Our event organizing committee consists of Valley of the Sun SPJ and Phoenix Public Relations Society of America chapter members and several public relations practitioners in the Valley. Proceeds to benefit the Valley of the Sun SPJ chapter.
Our sincere thanks to Josh Weiss and his hard-working 10 to 1 Public Relations staff for their generosity and hospitality in hosting this event.
SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter 