January 12, 2010 10:00 ET

Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS): A Behind-The-Scenes Look at Critical Issues Management at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 12, 2010) -

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Every four years the world is captivated by the largest two-week international sporting event in history, and each Olympic host country raises the bar just a little bit in bringing to the Olympic Games that host country's message of unity that sporting brings. The magic of the Olympics is not without years of planning and preparation. One of the more important behind the scenes roles is in the risk management planning and preparation for an international event of this magnitude.

On the eve of the Olympics the Calgary chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is hosting a breakfast with John Larsen, acting as the military's Senior Liaison Officer to the Government Operations Centre - Government Partners Public Affairs Group (GPPAG) for the 2010 Olympics. In this role, John works with a team that advises and provides real-time counsel to Government and Olympic officials on potential critical issues facing the Games.

There are many links to corporate communications' emergency response teams in the way this Olympic team of highly skilled issues management professionals are organizing themselves to tackle risk and crisis communication issues potentially affecting the Games.

CPRS Calgary invites you to come attend this presentation. All interested guests are welcome. Save your seat today and register online!

When:       Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Time:       7:30 a.m. - Registration and breakfast
            8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - Session and Q&A

Where:      TransCanada Tower, 450 1st Street SW
            Room 217 (on the +15 level next to Sunterra)

Pricing:    Members:               $35
            Non-Members            $50
            Students               $20
            Student non-members    $25

About CPRS Calgary:
The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a uniquely Canadian association of public relations professionals. CPRS Calgary, formed in 1958, is the local member society representing some of the brightest and most talented communications professionals in the city.

CPRS Calgary strives to support public relations professionals at every stage of their career. There's an increasingly strong student membership presence in CPRS Calgary, and an outstanding list of professional development events held September through June.

For more information on the organization or other upcoming events, visit http://www.cprscalgary.com/

About John Larsen:

John, who runs his own consultancy, Corpen Group, works internationally in the areas of crisis & risk communications, issues& reputation management, media management and training. Prior to launching Corpen Group, John was Manager of Executive Communications and Issues Management for the City of Calgary. Before that he was an Associate Vice-President with an international public affairs and government relations consulting agency. He has also held senior communications positions with various orders of government and in the corporate sector.

John has served in a variety of communications planning and implementation roles, including the rollout of national positioning campaigns, the coordination of international media events with heads of state, and the effective implementation of security-related public relations programs. He has developed issues management programs and risk / crisis communications plans for all levels of government, for high-profile events, and for international corporations. He has also managed political campaigns at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.

John has lectured at four Canadian colleges and universities; is currently on part-time faculty with Mount Royal University, and is Chair of the University's Public Relations Advisory Committee. He has a Masters Degree in crisis communications, holds formal United Nations accreditation as an expert on major event security, and is a senior reserve officer in the Canadian Forces Public Affairs Branch.

About Corpen Group:

Corpen Group is a unique consultancy offering specialized services in the four areas of crisis & risk communications, issues and reputation management, media management and training, and security & emergency services communications. Through in-depth analysis, planning and training, Corpen Group works with clients to safeguard reputations during critical periods.

Corpen Group has a national team of 8 consultants and senior counselors, and holds various clients in the both the public and private sector and in not-for-profit. Corpen group has worked in North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Key client sectors include oil and gas, electricity, telecommunications, airlines, consumer products, high-tech, the hospitality industry, land developers, healthcare providers, agriculture, police and EMS agencies, defence and border services, federal / provincial / municipal governments, education, gaming, and financial services.

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