Jonathan Mildenhall Selected as 2018 PRSA Conference Keynote Speaker

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Northern Colorado, Ryan Shucard serves as Vice President of Media Relations with Washington, D.C.-based SevenTwenty Strategies, where he directs content development and media outreach for clients. Augmenting his professional pursuits, Ryan Shucard holds membership with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The 2018 PRSA International Conference will be held from October 7 to 9 in Austin, Texas. Guests will have the opportunity to network with thousands of colleagues as well as more than 150 industry experts from a variety of business sectors. There will also be technique-based workshops and educational programs covering subjects such as integrated marketing, leadership and management, and special interests. The three-day conference will be kicked off by keynote speaker Jonathan Mildenhall, an internationally recognized marketing expert who previously served as chief marketing officer of Airbnb. 

The recipient of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Creative Marketer of the Year award in 2013, Mildenhall is a strong proponent of purposeful branding and creating authentic, community-driven brands that actively push for positive societal change. He was also named to Forbes' list of the World's Most Influential CMOs in 2017. In addition to his work with Airbnb, Mildenhall has helped shape marketing campaigns for popular brands such as Audi, Guinness, PlayStation, and Coca-Cola.

Hiking in Colorado's Black Canyon

A former communications director for the Republican National Committee, Ryan Shucard serves as the vice president of media relations for SevenTwenty Strategies in Washington, D.C. Outside of his career as a public relations professional, Ryan Shucard enjoys outdoor activities. His love for the outdoors was sparked by the time he spent in his home state of Colorado.

Colorado offers spectacular outdoor opportunities that range from hiking to skiing. One lesser known destination for outdoor enthusiasts is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Located in western Colorado, Black Canyon is famous for its depth and darkness, with some parts of the canyon receiving less than an hour of sunlight per day. 

Several trails enter the canyon. Because no one maintains the trails, however, you must first demonstrate your hiking capability to a ranger in order to receive a free permit to hike in the park. The unmarked trails require some scrambling through steep sections with loose boulders, making it difficult for those with mobility issues. The payoff, however, includes spectacular cliffs and some of the oldest rock formations in the country.

Trail options include the Oak Flat Loop Trail, a two-mile round-trip loop across the rim of the canyon, and the Class 3 Gunnison Route, the easiest trail down to the canyon floor.