Are you looking to host your own event or programme but want to keep our outlay to a minimum then it is likely you have considered finding sponsors.

In my experience in running live events and conferences, in the current economy this is becoming increasingly challenging. However done well with a great plan sponsorshops could help you not only cover your expenses for the event, but can even make a profit BEFORE the event.

• For example you could look for sponsors to:
• Run a live event and get sponsors to pay for the conference room, cover catering costs or even the conference materials
• Create a virtual event and get sponsorships to cover the costs of your wrbinar service, creating transcripts and your online advertising to market the event

My friend and PR expert Shannon Cherry has been working with her clients to help them attract lucrative sponsorships and she is now launching a Sponsorshis Programme where she will teach you how to create those winning sponsorship partnerships.

I have known Shannon for some years and her programmes are always rich in content and practical solutions that you can implement with ease.

Find out more about her programme what starts on 21 September 2010.

Friend and collegue Neville Hobson will be in Dublin next week to facilitate a workshop for the PRII especially aimed at experienced PR practitioners and will explore how new media can be incorporated into PR campaigns.

This is a full day workshop.

The course curriculum includes:

    * Where social media fits into the business world
    * Social media platforms that can be adopted to complement and enhance your organisational objectives
    * Guidance on best practice use of these technologies.

Neville is an accredited communications practitioner with over 25 years' experience in public and media relations, marketing, employee, compensation and benefits communications, as well as investor and financial relations communications.

He is a friend, someone I collabirate with on projects and a guide to me especially in all things technical and I can guarantee he'll bring a lot of value to this workshop.

How much does it cost? For PRII members €385 and for non-members €520.

Book your place HERE. I understand there only a few places left.

I'll be there attending the afternoon session - so say hi if you are there.

And see what other programmes and events I am attending over at my Plancast page. And for events I am hosting check out my events page on Biz Growth News.

Are you looking to automate your marketing and publicity in 2010?

Today I received an email from Paul J. Krupin of Direct Contact PR who for the past five years has created an annual publicity plan to help people  plan their ideas for publicity throughout the year. He shared the calendar with me.

The publicity planner provides a month-at-a-glance roadmap to holidays throughout the year and identifies the lead time for each holiday.

If you are based in the US I highly recommend you take a look at Paul's free publicity planner to help your communicaitons plan to help you leverage holidays and special dates to promote your products and services.

Take a look at the free publicity calendar here and let me know what you think.