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Brief overview

Writer
A writer since 1981, Gwen Watkins has contributed thousands of words to industrial and commercial print media in her capacity as a reporter and PR consultant. She offers original copywriting, annual report, brochures and website copy as part of her writing services.

She is the author of ‘Conference & Events Management Textbook' and co-author/editor of ‘Events Management 2A & 2B'. In addition, she has contributed to the writing and editing of three coffee table books for South African government departments and a chapter on press release writing for Public Relations.

Editor
Gwen's was appointed as editor of an industrial magazine in 1981. She subsequently served as an editor for a building magazine and was assistant editor on three other industrial journals. She has been the sub-editor for BizCommunity since 2009. Gwen offers copyediting and proofing services on a freelance basis for annual reports, articles, press releases and other communications.

Conference Management
Gwen has had many years of experience in the organisation of events from inception to post-function wrap-up. This includes conferences, seminars, workshops, media and product launches and company functions. The consultancy has also managed and advised on exhibitions and trade shows.

Lecturer
Gwen has lectured in marketing for IMM students, journalism for Damelin students and on conferences, events and exhibitions for Damelin and Tshwane University of Technology. She has run commercial training courses both locally and internationally on:
• Writing & Communication Skills
• Business & Report writing
• PR & Communication
• Crisis Communications
• Negotiation & Conflict Management
• Stress Management
• Event Planning & Risk Management
• Project Management & Principles of Budgeting
• Get Teambuilding

Qualifications & memberships
• Member of the Southern African Freelancers Association (SAFREA)
• Member of the South African Science Journalists' Association (SASJA)
• Services chapter member of the Northern Territories branch of SAACI (Southern African Association for the Conference Industry)
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP®) - Convention Industry Council, USA
• Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Southern Institute, Florida, USA

About Freelancers

Freelancers Writing Services is a marketing consultancy, committed to providing a professional, competent and measurable communications service to its clients.

Based on her extensive editorial and events experience, Gwen Watkins formed a PR partnership in South Africa in September 1988, offering the full gamut of PR services from media liaison, marketing positioning, branding, external and internal communication strategies to event planning.

As a seasoned writer, Gwen offers commissioned features or articles on a per word fee basis to magazines, newspapers and on-line media. Editorial and sub-editorial services are also offered on a part-time basis. The consultancy has extensive Plain English re-writing expertise.

As a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP®), Gwen organises conferences, events & exhibitions for commerce and industry. She also offers reportage services for conferences and meetings.

This base of expertise offers clients the ideal solution to the most serious problem facing a company - how to find a consultancy that will understand and strategise its communication and marketing messages in a sea of options.

Based in Gaborone since June 2011, Gwen provides communication services for SADC clients.

Services

Public relations and media consultancy
Through a judicious use of editorial, website copy, networking and the media, clients' messages are tailored to cover their required target markets. The consultancy advocates that clients should develop a communication strategy to advance their mission, as without an implementation plan, a mission remains just a mission.

Freelance writing, editing & proofing
Gwen Watkins is currently the senior freelance features writer for Business Report & Independent Newspapers and freelance sub-editor for BizCommunity on Media & Marketing, Retail, Education, Legal and HR. She has also edited the Medical newsletter for BizCommunity. She has been a freelance features writer for both trade, technical and consumer publications since 1993.

The consultancy has extensive experience in copyediting and proofing of reports, annual reports, theses, articles, press releases and other communications.

Conferences, events & exhibitions
Gwen passed the international Convention Industry Council's exam in July 2009 to become Certified Meeting Professional® (CMP), joining 22 other qualified professionals in Southern Africa. This organisation, based in Washington DC, offers the foremost international certification of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry and recognises individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. She has been recertified until 1 January 2020.

Her consultancy has had many years of experience in the organisation of events from inception to post-function wrap-up. This includes conferences, seminars, workshops, media and product launches and company functions. The consultancy has also managed and advised on exhibitions and trade shows.

Reporting & speaker management services
The consultancy offers reporting services for government and commercial conferences and workshops. It also has access to teams of reporters for parallel sessions and can edit and produce proceedings. In addition, it offers speaker management services to ensure smooth presentations.