September Program Recap: “The PR Building Bricks”

PRSA Richmond welcomed Jennifer Wakefield, APR, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP), as speaker at the September 2023 luncheon on Thursday, September 28.

“We recruit businesses to come to Richmond,” was how Wakefield summed up the work GRP does throughout the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Henrico County. GRP is the lead regional economic development organization, working to attract new companies to the area by providing in-depth market data, marketing the region globally and generating quality economic opportunities.

During her program, Wakefield highlighted the role public relations plays in attracting companies to Richmond. The primary case study she shared was The LEGO Group, which is building a 1.7 million-square-foot, carbon-neutral precision production facility just south of Richmond in Chesterfield, Virginia. Wakefield broke down her analysis of The LEGO Group recruitment into the core four steps in any public relations strategy: Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation. From start to finish, the entire process for GRP lasted from October 2021 to June 2022.

Wakefield has more than 20 years of experience in economic development, marketing and public relations roles. 

Throughout her career, Wakefield has garnered extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing and communications, operations and management and is a recognized thought leader in developing marketing strategies for economic development. In addition to her experience in economic development, she has experience in the transportation, utility and financial services industries.

Thanks to everyone who was able to join. You can register for our October luncheon on our event page.