21st annual Valley Publicity Summit '25, presented by SPJ

Be sure you read our Refund Policy and Notice of Filming and Photography before registering.

Well, not really "codependency" -- we're having a little fun with how, since 2004, Valley media and PR practitioners have been sharing story ideas and pitch preferences in a relaxed, respectful and engaging way! So...

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 July 14, the following media pros have said they plan to attend:

• ARCADIA NEWS: Mallory Gleich, editor
• ARIZONA FOOTHILLS MAGAZINE: Mallory Gleich, digital editor
• ARIZONA REPUBLIC/AZCENTRAL (tentative): Dina Kaur, entertainment/food writer
• COPPER COURIER: Teresa K. Traverse, freelance writer
• FOX 10: Christine Goodfriend, assignment manager
• FOX 10: Melanie Dudley, morning show producer
• FOX 10: George Obi, special projects
• FOX 10: Jessica Roose, morning show producer

• FREELANCE: Geri Koeppel, Phoenix New Times arts/culture; Times Media publications
• GILBERT SUN NEWS: Aparna Sekhar, staff writer
• INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA: Kelly Moore O'Sullivan, op-ed editor
• O'ROURKE MEDIA -- CITYSUNTIMES/QUEEN CREEK SUN TIMES: Michelle (Shelly) Talsma, editor; Lauren Wong, editor
• PODCASTER: Christina Barrueta, freelance writer, podcaster, influencer, Write on Rubee
• PODCASTER: Melissa Farley, producer, host, The Morning Show podcast
• PODCASTER: Shoshona Leon, freelance writer, incluencer, Sandy Wasserman, producer, host, blogger, @FoodieFoShow on Instagram
• PODCASTER: Sandy Wasserman, producer, host, blogger, Pulling Corks and Forks podcast
• SEDONA MONTHLY: Teresa K. Traverse, managing editor
• TEMPE TRIBUNE: Lee Shappell, editor
• TIMES MEDIA GROUP (tentative): Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, editor, Queen Creek Tribune/San Tan Sun News/The Entertainer! magazine/West Valley View and many other local publications
• TIMES MEDIA GROUP: Sriantha Perera, freelance writer
• 12NEWS: Payton Toomey, assignment desk

We will make sincere efforts to keep the list of participating journalists current.

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 continential breakfast, then all pitching sessions, will be INDOORS in the 10 to 1 offices and in the beautiful surrounding atrium balconies.

PARKING: Parking is ample and FREE just across from the garden courtyard and office entrance. Drive into the lot from the north entrance off Via de Ventura, which is a few hundred feet east of Hayden Road. Do not enter from Hayden Road.

ENTRANCE: Enter Building C at its east entrance, which as you walk south from the parking is just past the fountain on your left. Maps will be provided to registered participants the week before the event.

REGISTRATION INFO:

Early-bird registration expires Friday, Aug. 29. $94 for PR professionals, $84 for PRSA members, $74 for first-time and/or "lone wolf" solo PR practitioners. Once again, we are offering our popular "buy two, get one free" deal: For the price of two $84 registrations, you may sign up three people from the same PR agency/entity. (You're be charged $168, $56 each for three people, the same as for two $84 signups.)

Regular registration of $114 for all attendees started at midnight Saturday, Sept. 28, and ends 6 p.m. Friday, Oct.18. All those not registered by 6 p.m. Oct. 18 must pay walk-in registration (see next paragraph).

Walk-in registration: 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 only; $139. CASH or CHECK only for walk-in registration; no credit or debit cards.

Online registration ends 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. Walk-in registration only at $139 per person from 8 to 10 a.m. the day of the event, Saturday, Sept. 20.

REFUND POLICY: Refund requests made to [email protected] on or before 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, will receive a 100 percent refund, minus a $10 processing fee. No refund requests received after 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, will be honored.

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY: By attending an SPJ event, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to these terms: 1. You consent to photography, audio recording, video recording and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media or any other purpose by SPJ and its representatives. 2. You release SPJ, its employees and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or audio recordings, and you waive all rights to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use of these materials. 3. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video or audio recording taken by SPJ or the person or entity designated to do so by SPJ.

HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT: Masks are not required for this event. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed to COVID-19 or other illness during your visit. Visit the CDC website for the latest guidance. If you have been exposed, are sick, have illness symptoms of any kind or are caring for someone with COVID-19 you should not attend the event. Additional information about symptoms is available via the CDC website.Participation is at your own discretion and risk.

Questions? Email or visit the .

The hashtag for this event is: #pubsum25

EVENT SCHEDULE

9 a.m. Arrival, sign-in and networking -- Atrium of Building C , home of 10 to 1 Public Relations, 7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite C-300, Scottsdale. Continental breakfast served.

9:45 a.m. Welcome, introductions, instructions.Media people in position at their pitching stations.

10 a.m. Speed-pitching with journalists inside building in and around 10 to 1 Public Relations offices.

12:45 p.m. Event ends.

___________________________________________________________

Our event organizing committee consists of Valley of the Sun SPJ 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.

(Photos of Valley Publicity Summit participants by Josh Weiss, Bill Pedene, Tim Eigo, Mark Scarp

Info: The hashtag for this event is: #pubsum25
9 a.m. Arrival, sign-in and networking -- Atrium of Building C , home of 10 to 1 Public Relations, 7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite C-300, Scottsdale. Continental breakfast served.
9:45 a.m. Welcome, introductions, instructions.Media people in position at their pitching stations.
10 a.m. Speed-pitching with journalists inside building in and around 10 to 1 Public Relations offices.
12:45 p.m. Event ends.

Host or Publisher Society of Professional Journalists