The next development meeting organized by the Spokane Regional Marketing and Communications Association features powerhouse media figure Shawne Duperon.

The association, which goes by Spokane MarCom, for short, will host Duperon, a six-time Emmy Award broadcaster and media lecturer. She will discuss working with the media more effectively.

The event runs from 7 to 11 a.m. Feb. 1 at the Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. It includes breakfast. To register or get more details, visit www.SpokaneMarCom.org. (Rates are lower for members and for students.)

Her bio at ShawneTV.com, notes she  is an expert speaker who travels widely to address businesses and media professionals and discuss how communication affects attitudes and outcomes.

The MarCom announcement said Duperon will focus on:

•  Interview techniques that have you and the reporter looking exquisite. (Really, that's what it says.)
•  How to not sound like a commercial and have editors run screaming the other way,
•  How to handle any hostile questions.

The weekly lineup of events and morning sessions include the following:

• Dec. 4,  a conversation with Chris Majer, hosted by Greater Spokane Inc. At the GSI offices downtown, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.  Cost of tickets: $25 for members. Majer played a key role in raising funds and building support for the new and expanded Mobius Science Center. He's listed as the founder and CEO of that nonprofit education center.
• Dec. 5, GSI sponsors another of its regular “Meet Your Legislators” sessions. This Wednesday evening event is at the Davenport Hotel, and includes visits by Rep. Timm Ormsby (D - Spokane), Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) and Rep. J.T. Wilcox (R-Yelm). The session runs from 3 to 5 p.m, followed by 5:15 p.m. reception. Cost is $50 for members, $80 for others. Register here.
    
• Dec. 7, Spokane MarCom Group sponsors a 7 a.m.-9 a.m. “branding your business” session at the Lincoln Center, featuring John Bryant and Mark Irvin describing their vision for Spokane's No-Li Brewhouse. To register, go to the group site, www.SpokaneMarCom.org. Advance ticket purchase is suggested. 

The event includes a breakfast, and costs $20 for members at the door, $30 for non-members, $5 for student members and $15 for student non-members.