Class is back in session! Once again, school buses are lining the streets, and store shelves are packed with notebooks and pencils, but this season is much more than just back-to-school time.

It's also conference season, when dozens of tradeshows and industry events pop up around the world, attracting vendors and media from all over. Although conference life may just be part of the gig for some, for many, it's a chance to get out of the office, network, and gain fresh insight. The question is, though: how can you best prepare and make the most of it?

Just a few short weeks ago, Victor Wenbanyama got his spot as the first pick in the 2023 NBA draft. As the celebrations are winding down and the 7’4” Frenchman is enjoying the last bits of his offseason before he makes the big move to San Antonio, he is most likely preparing for a new routine, new culture and a new place to call home for the next few years. Same thing for other athletes like Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema, they’re making a big change and uprooting their lives to continue to pursue their dreams.

In spite of what feels like a slowdown in funding, as of 2023 the fintech sector is valued at nearly $179 billion worldwide. For early-stage fintechs attempting to break into the marketplace, it's critical to ensure that companies are aware of who they are, whether their solutions can help, and if they are trustworthy. When it’s all said and done, a great solution means little if an organization has a track record of being unreliable.

Thousands of public relations and marketing graduates are starting their careers and are ready to use the skills they learned in school. Having been in that position not too long ago, I have learned that there are many skills and situations that school that can prepare you for— and there are other lessons you can only learn on the job.

Public relations programs will always vary based on a fintech’s unique goals and market position. But, whether it’s a startup or a more established company, with one competitor or hundreds, organizations’ public relations programs should focus on a three-pronged approach: building brand awareness, educating key audiences and establishing credibility. To optimize success, there are three key tactics companies should prioritize when developing their public relations strategy.

As the business world becomes more competitive, it is increasingly important to have a unique edge that sets you apart from the competition. In today's media landscape, data is highly valued. The most credible media outlets look to data as a source of objective information that supports their reporting. By providing journalists with valuable data, you increase the likelihood that they will cover your story or interview you as an expert in your field. Developing a report and hosting it on your website, making it available for download, and issuing a press release to relevant media contacts sharing highlights of your research are all effective ways to get your data in front of journalists.

By now you’re almost certainly familiar with the concept of generative AI and more specifically, OpenAI’s ChatGPT – what it is, what it isn’t, what it can (and can’t) do…..yet. From its formal introduction late last year to now the release of the next generation, ChatGPT 4, generative AI and its potential impact on our society has consumed the attention of the media, the investment community, the business community, our political leaders, you name it.

I recently had the opportunity to attend Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. The event is the credit union industry’s premier event bringing together leaders from across the movement to rally around a united case – to tell policymakers how their lawmaking affects credit unions and their more than 130 million members.

Quality trumps quantity when it comes to digital marketing today, making a company’s brand feel more personable in the long run. We live in a time of transparency, and consumers desire a sense of authenticity that instills familiarity and trust.

Finding a perfect match with a PR and marketing partner can be tough. As you begin working together it is important to build a strong foundation. Creating a positive and productive working environment where you and your partners can communicate, collaborate and achieve your shared goals effectively is the key to a fruitful professional relationship.