Field Day is the single most important annual event that requires promoting and supporting by the AARC Public Relations Committee.
Phase I has successfully been completed. Phase I includes advance Field Day promotions to television and commercial radio stations, to print media, and to local officials.
Phase II takes place during Field Day itself. Phase II includes welcoming visitors and explaining the operations of each radio position, plus hosting television news interviews.
Since Field Day 2015 will be staged at a new and highly visible location, the 911 Emergency Center at 2306 Ivy Road, publicity for this event far exceeded required tasks outlined by the Public Relation Committee By-Laws.
I offer special thanks to:
Jim Crosby, K4JEC, for creating the colorful Field Day Poster, the Field Day Letter of Invitation, and the Field Day Press Release. Also thanks goes to Jim for his volunteering to man our Field Day public information tent on June 27 & 28th.
Bob Pattison, K4DU, for preparing new Field Day signage to be mounted along Ivy Road during Field Day on June 27 & 28th. Bob also chauffeured Harry to Lynchburg for the Spirit FM radio interview.
Harry Dannals, W2HD, for his radio interview by Jeffery Dannals, N4LFJ, on Spirit FM radio. Harry’s Field Day interview was broadcast on May 31st from 15 radio stations across North Carolina, West Virginia, and parts of Virginia. (This Field Day radio program was broadcast in Marion, VA, Beckley, WV, Lewisburg, WV, Bluefield, WV, Galax, VA, Mt. Airy, NC, New River Valley, VA, Blacksburg, VA, Christiansburg, VA, Roanoke, VA, Martinsville, VA, Danville, VA, Lynchburg, VA, Charlottesville, VA, Harrisonburg, VA, Staunton, VA, Waynesboro, VA, Farmville, VA, Emporia, VA, Roanoke Rapids, NC, and in Waverly, VA.)
Alan Swinger, K9MBQ, for volunteering to be interviewed on the WINA Rob Shilling Show. This live broadcast is scheduled for mid June. (Alan broadcast a similar Field Day program on the Shilling Show last year.) When this date and time are solid, I will email club members.
Bob Pattison, K4DU, & Jim Wilson, K4BAV, for volunteering to be interviewed on the News Radio 1070 “Conversations with Wendy†show. This live broadcast is scheduled for mid-June. (Bob & Jim broadcast a similar Field Day program last year. Anyone else who shows interest is invited to join us.) When this date and time are solid, I will email members who may wish to tune in.
Ed Berkowitz, N3US, for volunteering to be interviewed on NBC television news and CBS television news. These two interviews will be videotaped on Saturday afternoon on June 27th for broadcast on the evening news. (Both NBC and CBS broadcast similar Field Day news programs last year.) In addition, we may have a news interview on PBS television on the show “Charlottesville Inside Out,†hosted by Terri Allard. Ed Berkowitz and other club members will be involved with this PBS program.
Larry Eicher, K4JZQ, for meeting numerous times with the PR Committee with helpful suggestions. Larry also contacted six restaurants requesting food donation to our Field Day participants. (Larry sent requests for free food donations to Duck Donuts, Bodos Bagels, Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Panera Bread, and Wayside Chicken.)
Stan Hazen, K2SSB, for writing an article about AARC Field day to be published in the Daily Progress newspaper.
Michael Rein, KA4JJD, for his pursuit of a Field Day Proclamation from local officials. While this adds no points to our overall score, this proclamation does add prestige to our event.
Mike McPherson, KQ9P, prepared a Field Day radiogram form for each member to use on Field Day. This will earn the club extra points.
Our Club Members talked up Field Day and distributed Field Day Posters in their neighborhoods. This activity is still ongoing. Additional Field Day Posters will be available during the Tuesday night club meeting.
And I, Jim Wilson, distributed our President’s Letter of Invitation to 28 officials and distributed our Press Release and Field Day Posters to numerous other organizations.
Thus, the Public Relations Committee has successfully completed Phase I, the advanced promotion of our Field Day 2015.
