Month: October 2026

PRSA New Pros Week 2026 Event Guide

Kristin Durand Leave a comment
A group of young professionals sitting in a hotel lobby discussing a work project

This blog post will tell you everything you need to know about PRSA New Pros Week 2026 but were afraid to ask. From November 9-13, 2026, you can join fellow PRSA New Pros for an exciting week of content, community and connections.

By Whitney Conaghan

Created for emerging PR professionals and the chapters that support them, PRSA’s 2026 New Pros Week will offer a mix of national programming, local member engagement opportunities and timely resources designed to help new professionals build confidence, strengthen their networks and navigate the early stages of their careers.

Explore the event guide below to make the most of the week!

Advice, Insights, and Social Content

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Of course, New Pros Week wouldn’t be complete without social content!

Follow along on our social media channels throughout the week for advice, reflections and lessons learned from fellow New Pros members and experienced PR professionals. Not following us on socials yet? What’s stopping you? Connect with the LinkedIn PRSA New Professionals Section group and drop us a follow on our Instagram.

Virtual Mentor Office Hours

Have a career question or want to learn from an experienced PR professional? Sign up for a virtual mentor office hours session.

  • Monday, Nov 9 | 1–2 p.m. ET: Sabrina Kidwai
  • Tuesday, Nov 10 | 10–11 a.m. ET: Jeremy Podolski
  • Wednesday, Nov 11 | 1–2 p.m. ET: Peggy Reisser
  • Thursday, Nov 12 | 9–10 a.m. ET: Jeremy Podolski

Register for mentorship office hours here!

In-Person Connections

Join fellow PR professionals at one of the week’s in-person events to connect beyond the screen.

Live Virtual Webinar | Thursday, Nov 12, 2-3 pm ET

Wrap up the week with a virtual conversation focused on career development, networking and the experiences many PR professionals share as they navigate the early stages of their careers.

This panel discussion explores the challenges and opportunities communications and PR and communication professionals face as they transition from entry-level roles toward greater responsibilities and leadership. Experienced industry professionals will share insights on identifying and closing skill gaps, developing business and financial acumen, demonstrating professional value, navigating promotions and recognizing when it’s time for a career change. The conversation will also address overcoming early-career uncertainties, preparing for management and negotiating compensation, providing attendees with practical advice for taking the next step in their careers.

Register today: Zoom Link

Participate for a Chance to Win!

A pair of hands hold up a sign that reads "The winner is" in front of a twinkling colorful backdrop

As a thank you for being part of New Pros Week, we’re giving participants the opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

The giveaway entry form opens Thursday afternoon, November 12, following the webinar. The more you participate throughout the week, the more chances you’ll have to win.

Here’s how to earn entries:

  • Attend the live webinar.
  • Sign up for a mentor office hours session.
  • Engage with New Pros Week social content.

You only need to submit the entry form once. Complete the form after it opens to confirm your participation and enter the giveaway. The entry form will close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 and a winner will be announced shortly after the form closes. 

We hope you’ll join us for a week of learning, connection and community. Whether you’re looking for fresh career advice, hoping to grow your network or simply want to connect with others who understand the new pro experience, there’s something here for you!

About the Author

Headshot of the author, a young woman in a grey sweather with long brown hair

Whitney Conaghan is the Director of Client Services at dovetail solutions, an integrated national PR, marketing, advertising, and public affairs firm, in Denver, CO. Since 2025, she has served on the PRSA New Professionals Executive Committee. As Membership Chair, she was a resource for new and prospective members, supported onboarding, and encouraged participation in chapter programs. She currently serves at the Newsletter Chair, preparing the quarterly newsletter that highlights chapter news, professional development and upcoming events.

Five Steps for New Pros to Take After a Conference

Kristin Durand Leave a comment

PRSA’s annual conference, ICON 2026, just took place October 18-20 in Orlando, Florida. Over the past few weeks, the PRSA New Professionals Section has been posting a series of blog entries aimed at educating our members about the importance of attending events like these–even and especially as a new professional. This final post discusses essential steps new professionals should take after attending a conference. These actions help ensure they maximize the value of their employer’s investment by investing in themselves.

By Nigel Becker

Conferences are a great way to grow as a new professional, and the opportunities don’t end once the last session wraps. 

Once you’re back at your hotel, sitting in the airport, or back at home, there are additional steps you can take to show your gratitude, share what you’ve learned and get involved in upcoming events.  

Here are a few ways to get started:

1. Leverage Your LinkedIn

This is what LinkedIn was made for! Tell your professional network all about your experience at the conference. Why did you attend? What did you learn? Did any themes or pieces of advice stand out to you? Share your thoughts on your profile.

If you took any photos during the conference, be sure to include them. Not only do posts with pictures get more engagement, but it also shows how connections you made on the exhibitor hall, the breakout sessions, and the networking receptions.

We’re there training opportunities during the event? Update your LinkedIn skills section (and your resume) with any new skills you gained or sharpened while attending.

Take a look at all those business cards you collected and contacts you wrote down. If you haven’t already, connect with them on LinkedIn and consider sending a quick follow-up note mentioning how much you enjoyed meeting them. Maybe they can save you a seat at next year’s conference! 

2. Thank the Hosts

Planning a conference is a lot of work, from booking the space to coordinating speakers’ schedules to sending reminder emails. Organizers often do this on a volunteer basis on top of full-time jobs and other obligations. Let them know how much you appreciate what they do. If you had spent months planning an event, wouldn’t you appreciate someone taking a few moments to say thanks? A short email of gratitude goes a long way.

3. Offer Your Time & Talents

If you enjoyed the event, consider getting involved with the host organization.

For example, PRSA’s professional interest sections offer a range of committees that can use your help. Some ways to get involved don’t even have to be huge time commitments. Volunteer opportunities like designing social media posts or helping to draft newsletters are great ways for new pros to contribute their skills in meaningful ways.

Check their website, reach out to the organizers, or contact the organization’s leaders to learn more. This is a great way to keep growing your skills and your network even after the conference is over.

4. Bring Takeways Back to Your Team

Chat with your supervisor and coworkers to find out what’s the most helpful way to share what you learned. A presentation during your all-team meeting? A recap document with key takeaways? Drop-in office hours?

By showing you’re engaged and sharing what you learned with the team, leadership can see how their investment in the conference – and you – is paying off. 

5. Prepare for Next Year

It’s never too early to start preparing for the next conference.

When and where will it be held? When do tickets go on sale? Is there an early bird price? Keep an eye out for this info. Set a calendar reminder, join the organization’s mailing list and follow them on social media so you know as soon as next year’s plans are set. 

The work you put in after a conference can be just as valuable as the conference itself. Best of luck as you keep the momentum going!

About the Author

Nigel Becker is an account executive at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2025, he has served as the Social Media Co-Chair of PRSA New Professionals, overseeing the section’s Instagram and Facebook. He also chairs PRSA Central Ohio’s Student & New Professional Engagement committee. 

Four Ways for New Pros to Prepare for a Conference

Kristin Durand Leave a comment

PRSA’s annual conference, ICON 2026, is taking place October 18-20 in Orlando, Florida. Over the past few weeks, the PRSA New Professionals Section has been posting a series of blog entries aimed at educating our members about the importance of attending events like these–even and especially as a new professional.

By Nigel Becker

Congratulations! You’re going to have the opportunity to meet fellow professionals and gain tips to level up your work.

You can toss some clothes in a bag, hop on a plane and hope for the best, but if you take a few simple steps ahead of time, you’ll learn more from the experience, make a  better impression on your fellow conference-goers and enjoy the event even more.

1. Research the Speakers Ahead of Time

Check the agenda to see who will be speaking and find the LinkedIn pages for the presenters who pique your interest. Get a sense of which ones have jobs or backgrounds that inspire you most, so you can make a point of chatting with them.

Pro tip: Brainstorm some tailored Q&A questions to show you’ve done your homework. If you were a speaker, which of these questions would make a stronger impression on you. “I saw you got your degree in linguistics; how does that shape your approach to PR?” or “What did you say your job was?” 

2. Practice Your Elevator Pitch

You’re probably going to meet a lot of people, and more than a few will want to know who you are and what you do. Think about what you want to say; what’s most important about you and your job? If your organization’s work is complicated, how can you give a snappy summary without reciting an encyclopedia entry? 

Don’t feel like you have to script your self-introduction; you don’t want it to sound canned. It may make sense to introduce yourself to a fellow new pro differently than you would to a manager at your dream company. Still, ironing out what info is must-share can prevent “Oh no, I should have mentioned…” regrets from popping up five minutes later. 

Pro Tip: Avoid using industry-specific jargon or acronyms. Even “PRSA” might be unfamiliar to somebody operating outside of the day-to-day communications world. 

3. Pack Smart

A few key items can keep you prepared and feeling confident throughout the event:

  • Note-taking supplies: Whether that’s a laptop or good old-fashioned pen and paper, make sure you can jot down notes whenever you need to. It doesn’t hurt to bring a backup, too; if your tablet is on the fritz, a spare notepad can save the day.
  • Business cards: If your organization gives you business cards, bring a stack. If you don’t have any, pre-save your LinkedIn QR code. You can also set up a digital business card via a platform like Popl.
  • Dress code-appropriate outfits: Check the event details to see if you’re expected to wear professional clothing. If there’s room in your bag, bring one more change of clothes than you think you’ll need so an unexpected rainstorm or a wayward glass of wine doesn’t ruin your wardrobe planning. And don’t forget comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking a long way, all day, every day. One pair of dressy and one pair of upscale casual shoes will be worth the space sacrificed in your carry-on.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pack a “lobby outfit.” Inevitably, you’ll need to make a coffee run or grab a late night bite, and you don’t want to run into your boss or the keynote speaker in your pajama pants and shower slides. This can be as simple as adding a lightweight blazer and closed-toed slip on shoes. Even better, save space in your luggage and repurpose your airport outfit. 

4. Work With Your Team to Create an Out-Of-Office Plan

“Can you respond to John’s email right now?” 

“What am I supposed to say during our client call?” 

“Where did you save your notes on the project?” 

When you’re trying to focus on speakers’ insights at a conference, urgent texts and calls like these can get in the way. When you’re trying to focus on speakers’ insights at a conference, urgent texts and calls like these can get in the wayWork with your supervisor and team to make a plan. Will you be expected to answer emails while you’re away, or can you set up an email message steering people to a colleague? If you’ll be missing meetings, does your team have your notes? Are important documents accessible to your team, or are they living in a private folder? 

Pro Tip: Before you depart, send an email to your team detailing the plan you and your supervisor agreed upon. This gives your colleagues a document to easily refer to if they get stumped while you’re away. 

You’ve Got This

Preparing for a conference can be exciting… and overwhelming. If you end up forgetting something, don’t worry; it happens to all of us! But if you take simple steps like these ahead of time, you can take away more meaningful insights and — hopefully — have an even better time. 

Now, what are you waiting for? ICON 2026 is only a few days away. Do your homework, pack your bags, and get ready for the most iconic PR & comms event of the year! 

About the Author

Nigel Becker is an account executive at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2025, he has served as the Social Media Co-Chair of PRSA New Professionals, overseeing the section’s Instagram and Facebook. He also chairs PRSA Central Ohio’s Student & New Professional Engagement committee.