Over the summer, I had the opportunity to connect with communications professionals across Calgary. Whether at our Stampede event or over coffee, a common thread emerged: in a profession that is constantly evolving, community and connection matter more than ever. When I reflect on my own experience with CPRS over the past twenty-five years,…
At CPRS Calgary, we’re committed to delivering meaningful programs, valuable member experiences, and opportunities that support communications professionals across our community. To help us better understand your needs and interests, we invite you to take 10 minutes to complete our member and industry survey. Your responses will be used to determine programming and member…
On Wednesday, February 15, a group of CPRS members, including students, gathered at National on 10th in downtown Calgary to network, laugh and swap stories. Current board members shared what they enjoy about serving on the board and the benefits of being actively involved in the CPRS community. The board is starting to recruit for…
By Timothy Rose Timothy has a Public Relations diploma through the University of Victoria, is currently a Master of Arts in Professional Communication student at Royal Roads University, and has been a proud student member of CPRS since February 2020. I recently had the great opportunity to speak to Jen Colp, a fellow cohort member…
Spring is all about new beginnings. With that in mind, CPRS Calgary is pleased to unveil a fresh take on its sponsorship offering for 2021 by offering more virtual and online opportunities that enable sponsors to strategically share their brand story with our membership during these unique times. CPRS Calgary’s 2021 sponsorship package provides a…
By Sarah Roberts, CPRS Calgary Board Member You might be looking for a change, or laid off during the pandemic. If you’ve been laid off, as I was last November, you’ll need some time to regroup and figure out where you want to go next. Then it’s time to make looking for work your full-time…
By Sarah Bartlett, BCMM-PR I’m proud to say that I was once a recipient of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Calgary Legacy Scholarship. I applied for the Scholarship as a second-year public relations student at Mount Royal University (MRU). The Scholarship was beneficial in not only providing financial support while I completed my degree…
By Shawn Davis, APR For the last 26 years, I have been a member of CPRS Calgary. I have sat on the Board of Directors in a multitude of roles for more years than I can count (math is hard lol) and have contributed to the management, maintenance and growth of the Society. But this…
By Shaina Kyluik, a second-year public relations student at Mount Royal University. My name is Shaina and I am a proud member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). Being a student member with CPRS Calgary has opened doors to many new and exciting opportunities that have helped grow my knowledge and passion for public…
Working in communications was never the plan. When I enrolled at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, I had grand plans to get a Bachelor of Arts in English, followed by a Bachelor of Education so that I could teach English. Throughout high school English teachers had been my heroes and friends, so it felt like…
Photography is an integral tool for any communicator. However, most of us struggle with finding quality images that properly show off our content while being inclusive, especially if we’re on a limited budget. And we’re also dealing with a more sophisticated audience – one that can quickly pick out stock photos. You know the photos…
By CPRS Calgary President, Gordon Hawker, APR As I draft this annual holiday message, just a few hours after the announcement of increased COVID-19 restrictions, I know that communicators all over Alberta are likely already planning how they will manage and communicate through the next month and beyond. No time to second-guess, no moment of…
Lifelong learning is defined by a self-motivated continuous pursuit of knowledge. When I began researching further education, the traditional offerings turned out to be a fraction of the puzzle. Formal classroom education required significant time, money and sacrifice, but a proliferation of digital courses from colleges and universities made it much more reachable. Organizations like…
By Timothy Rose, CPRS Student Member Taking this time to expand your network online or within your education/employment organizations, is more important now than ever. One way to start could be reaching out to someone you do not know who works in the PR/communications field to learn how their world has changed as a result…
The CPRS Calgary – Students Committee invites you to participate in the 2020/2021 mentorship program. This program will provide an opportunity for students to connect and engage with public relations practitioners such as yourself to help them navigate the PR industry here in Calgary. What’s in it for you as a mentor? Receive accreditation…
By Kimberlee Jones, APR, CPRS Calgary Accreditation Chair It gives me great pleasure to announce CPRS Calgary’s most recent APRs. Samantha Peck, APR, Ran Ju, PhD, APR, and Amara Heppell, APR successfully completed the intensive process and were acknowledged at the CPRS Calgary virtual AGM in June and the CPRS National virtual Transformation 2.0 Conference…
Over the past few months, CPRS has been instrumental in leading the discussion and providing industry best practices around COVID-19. Now we’re addressing the negative impact of the pandemic on our public relations and communications colleagues. CPRS is proud to introduce a new membership category called Member in Transition, which provides additional support to individuals…
The July 10th Virtual Stampede Breakfast was proof that Community Spirit isn’t cancelled. Kristina Barnes, Manager of Communications and Media Relations with the Calgary Stampede took us behind the curtain to talk about how the Stampede adjusted to adapt to COVID-19. She walked us through the timeline from the realization they would have to cancel…
COVID-19 has changed the post-secondary world, but there is benefit in seeing the positive impacts it has enabled. One of the common themes heard is that the beginning of COVID-19 was the end of normalcy and with that comes a period of mourning. A recent article on CTV News highlights the loss of normalcy amid…
by Lisa Rushka, APR One of the key benefits of belonging to a professional association is the connection it brings. As CPRS Calgary shifted with the rest of the world, we recognized the importance of connecting with our members to touch base, check in, and discuss how COVID-19 was affecting our colleagues. About 15 professional…
Here’s why new practitioners write the PRK Exam: Serves to build your resume and allows you to stand out from other job applicants with demonstrated commitment to the profession. Provides proof of your knowledge of professional terms and concepts and demonstrates your writing skills and your ability to think critically. Acts as a building block…
It is more apparent than ever that we are stronger as a united community than separate and apart. Even if that means social distancing and taking precautions to stay safe from the global pandemic that is affecting us all on some level right now. Currently, the world is relying on the public relations and communications…
What I learned at the CPRS Speed-Networking event for students on March 11, 2020 It’s Membership Month at CPRS! As a recent PR graduate from Cardiff University in the UK, I joined CPRS as a student member earlier this year. After studying and working in the UK for the past couple of years, I returned…
At an event held in late January, three Mount Royal University (MRU) speakers provided a summary of the 2019 federal election, focusing on how changes to the media environment – such as the effects of fake news, foreign influence and new PR strategies – impacted each campaign. A full room of PR practitioners attended the…
From economic woes to fake news, the 2010s have certainly brought a range of challenges and awkward moments for each of us, for our profession as a whole, and for our professional association at the local and national level. But as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Through a whirlwind of…
The APR Designation – Do it for yourself! If you have five or more years of experience, we strongly encourage you to consider the value and importance of achieving the Accredited in Public Relations (APR)® designation. The APR has been a respected measure of professional experience and competence in the field of public relations for more than…
Andrea Collins, APR, FCPRS, and Dat Huynh, then a third year student in Mount Royal University’s public relations program were matched in the CPRS Calgary mentorship initiative in October 2018. Andrea and Dat were kind enough to provide their perspectives on their experience, while including some tips for mentors and mentees considering the program.
Join the 2019/2020 Mentorship Program CPRS Calgary invites you to participate in the 2019/2020 mentorship program. This program will provide an opportunity for students or new practitioners to connect and engage with established public relations practitioners to help them navigate the PR industry in Calgary. The mentorship program is a premier platform for new and…
Check-out our 60th Anniversary video that premiered at our Celebration event on April 26th!
As members of CPRS Calgary for over three decades, Sheridan McVean and Diane Rennie have seen plenty of changes, on both a local and a global level. Amidst the ups and downs of the Calgary economy and the technological shifts in the field of public relations, however, there have been some constants, one of them…
CPRS Calgary is now live on YouTube. Click on the YouTube icon on the top right corner of the website or click here. Check out the channel and subscribe today!
Here’s your chance to make a difference! At CPRS Calgary’s 50th Anniversary, we proudly established the Calgary Legacy Scholarship. This $1,000 annual scholarship supports a student member of CPRS Calgary entering second year in a recognized PR program at either Mount Royal University, the University of Calgary or SAIT Polytechnic. Ten years later, we still…
We are proud to announce that Calgary had five successful APR candidates out of the 21 across the country this year! Congratulations to Calgary members Tracie Feist APR; Peter Ryan, PhD, APR; Cassie Naas, APR ; Gina Teel, APR ; Laura Worsley-Brown APR. For more information see CPRS’ National announcement
Dear Members, As 2018 comes to a close, we have positioned our Society well for a strong 2019. PD & Events Attendance at our recent Holiday Party with IABC Calgary was excellent, with many new faces attending from CPRS. We also had a large turnout at our last PD event, which was a breakfast event…
December 6, 2018 Chapter President Tom Ormsby shares holidays wishes – from Dublin
Dear Members, Today is an historic day for CPRS Calgary as we celebrate our 60thAnniversary. As one of the oldest professional public relations chapters in the world, we have an excellent opportunity to build on our past. In the coming year, we look forward to drawing on the institutional knowledge and expertise of our long-term…
Book: Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data and What the Internet Can Tell Us about Who We Really Are It would be difficult to find someone who hasn’t googled an embarrassing question. But, did you know? That data is stored in our digital footprint, and can say a lot about human behaviour. In Seth Stephens-Davidwitz…
Calling all Student Members and Practitioners to participate in the 2018/2019 CPRS Mentorship Program! Students Interested in learning more about the public relations industry in Calgary? Would you like to receive support from a senior level practitioner and build your network? Then the CPRS Calgary Mentorship Program is for you. This is an amazing opportunity…
Dear Members, Summer is the time of transition for many and it has been no different for CPRS Calgary as the Board welcomes new members, committees restructure and we reset our strategic direction for the Society based on your input from the annual Member Survey, the AGM and your participation and feedback from our various…
By Lisa Rushka, APR Approved at the CPRS AGM in Charlottetown in June, the CPRS Strategic Framework “is a collective commitment to creating a community of public relations professionals dedicated to professional development, delivering strategic value to our organizations and supporting and promoting ethical public relations in Canada and around the world.” It…
Congratulations to Celine Copeland for winning the 2018 Calgary Legacy Scholarship! Celine is an active volunteer in the Calgary community and an avid sports enthusiast. She has demonstrated her commitment to the community and youth, volunteering with various programs in Calgary. Those who make a submission for the Calgary Legacy Scholarship must demonstrate an…
CPRS Calgary 2018 President Chosen Calgary – Tom Ormsby, APR is the new president of CPRS Calgary, taking over from Melanie Simmons, who led the organization from June 2017 Ormsby is an award-winning professional with over 30 years of experience in the PR industry working in areas such as crisis management, executive communications, and…
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APR Maintenance is easier than you think by Shawn Davis, MBA, BA Comms, APR As PR people, there are very few of us who would consider ourselves to be “process” people – myself included. I am more of an ‘organic’ person, and at times I feel that processes just seem to get in…
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CPRS Membership Pays Get a $100 credit for every new member you refer If your membership in CPRS Calgary has led you to get your APR designation, helped you find your dream job or inspired you with one of our guest speakers, you know the value of belonging to a professional organization. During this March membership drive, we’re…
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Congratulations to Calgary APRs by Deborah Remus, CPRS Calgary, Communications Committee Calgary, February 1, 2018 – Huge congratulations to the Calgary PR pros who earned their APR (accredited in public relations) this year. Of the 17 successful APR’s across Canada four of them are from Calgary, giving the city more new inductees in 2018…
The Canadian Public Relations Society announces 17 new APRs. The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) has granted accredited status to 17 of its members after successfully completing the Society’s 2016-17 accreditation program. 2018 APRs: (left to right) Top Row – Andria Adams, APR, Danielle Eugénie Cloutier, APR, Michelle Crossland, APR, Jonathan Dyck, APR, MA and…
CPRS Calgary Message from the President – Stay Connected Connections is one of my big focuses for the 2017-18 year. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, CPRS Calgary is here to be a connector, to be a collaborator. We are here to support you and help you succeed in the communications industry.…
Remembering Cynthia Balfour, APR Contributed by Don Boynton, APR January 19, 2018 — Cynthia Balfour was the first woman President of the Canadian Public Relations Society’s Calgary Chapter (1974-76) and the first woman to sit on the national executive of CPRS in 1981. Cynthia passed away on January 12 in her New Zealand homeland at…
2017 Year in Review With another busy holiday season behind us, January is a good time to take a breather and reflect on all the CPRS Calgary community achieved last year. Throughout 2017, a number of professional development and networking events offered something for every member. In March, we held the CPRS Calgary Presents:…
by Chantal Macleod Fake news abounds. Public trust is at an all time low. PR practitioners increasingly find themselves in the C-suite but unprepared. Yet, Dan Tisch, APR, FCPRS, author of the white paper, The elevation of public relations: A discussion paper on a profession’s present – and its possible future, is more optimistic and excited than…
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So, you’ve been working in PR for about five years. You’ve had your first job, and it might have been good, but probably wasn’t fantastic. That’s why it’s a first job and not the last. You’re probably settled into your second job, feeling fairly confident in your day-to-day work and gaining increasing responsibility every day.…
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The leaves are turning and the mornings are cool as we head out the door to drop the kids off at school and carry on to the office. While September always comes with its own kind of chaos with new routines, it also brings about a sense of normalcy and regularity that goes by the…
The CPRS Calgary – Education & Students Committee invites you to participate in our 2017/2018 mentorship program. This program will provide an amazing opportunity for students to connect and engage with esteemed public relations practitioners as well as help them navigate their future careers. What’s in it for you as a mentor? Receive accreditation maintenance points (worth…
I’ve always had a passion for communications. Early on, it was more of a verbal exercise than strategic approach. “The student socializes too much in class,” was a permanent fixture on high school report cards. As my career evolved, so did my understanding of strategy, and my appreciation for collaboration as a fundamental piece of…
CPRS Calgary conducted a membership survey in early 2017. The CPRS Calgary Board of Directors has evaluated the results, and has started implementing the feedback received in the 2017 program year. The Board will continue to use the guidance provided in the coming program year to help us make decisions to improve member engagement and…
On April 28, 2017, the CPRS Calgary Education & Students portfolio hosted Passport to PR YYC. The event allowed students the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what it’s like to work in PR for various companies around Calgary, spend time learning from esteemed public relations practitioners and build their network. In groups of three,…
There are always lots of reasons to avoid attending an AGM. I’ve got too much to do, the kids have soccer that night, I’ve got a report due at the end of the week, I’ll be on the road, AGMs are SO boring. You know them. You live them. As communicators, our work is truly…
Calgary, August 21, 2012 – The Calgary chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society along with the Communications + Public Relations Foundation have announced the creation of a new scholarship, the Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations/Communications. The $1000 Susan Francis Prize will be awarded annually to a student studying in his or her final…
The Scholarship is awarded annually to the student who best exemplifies the spirit and practice of bilingualism in the Canadian communications and public relations profession. It is inspired by the career of Armand Torchia, who co-founded The Houston Group with Stan Houston, and Torchia Communications with his son Jean-Claude. The Scholarship adheres to the values…
Ryan Ferguson, Mount Royal University, is the second winner of the Calgary Legacy Scholarship awarded by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Calgary in partnership with the Communications + Public Relations Foundation. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a second year student studying public relations/communications in a recognized program in one of Mount Royal…
Hailey Laycraft, Calgary, is the 2013 winner of the $1,000 Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations, awarded annually to a public relations student in his/her final year of a public relations/communications program at Mount Royal University, University of Calgary or SAIT Polytechnic. The Prize was established by the Francis family and Canadian Public Relations Society…
By Laura Wright I must admit, I was a bit nervous. The idea, unfortunately, hadn’t even been my own. You see, a few weeks ago in my Intro to Public Relations course at MRU, our instructor, Sheridan McVean, advised our small certificate class that IABC and CPRS held a joint annual holiday party and that…
The early bird registration deadline for the 2014 AB Communications Forum is January 31, 2014. The 2014 AB Communications Forum takes place at the Calgary Marriot Downtown on February 24th and 25th.
Apply today to be considered for the 2014 CPRS National Awards of Excellence. Winners will be recognized at the 2014 CPRS Awards gala dinner at the CPRS National Conference in Banff on May 27, 2014.
The application process for the 2015 Susan Francis in Public Relations/Communications has been announced. This $1,000 award is presented by CPRS Calgary to a student in a recognized Public Relations/Communications program at Mount Royal University, The Univesity of Calgary or SAIT. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2015 with the winner announced by December…
With over 2,00 attendees and 25+ speakers, DesignThinkers is Canada’s largest conference of visual communicators. It is held November 12 & 13 at the Sony Center in Toronto, Ontario. For a list of speakers and further information, please click Read More to be directed to the site.
Last spring, we announced that as a part of our new initiative, #YYCPR-Communications for a Cause, CPRS Calgary would provide communications support to the not-for-profit organization, Making Changes Association. Making Changes is a volunteer-based organization that supports women and teenage girls during life transitions and provides them with skills and resources, encouraging their pursuit of…
As we move into late fall, we are faced with an interesting environment in Alberta – a challenging economy and new provincial and federal governments. These changes can cause uncertainty and it can affect our day-to-day lives in many ways. Now, more than ever, it is important to leverage your membership in CPRS and CPRS…
The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a second year student studying public relations/communications in a recognized program at one of Mount Royal University, University of Calgary or SAIT Polytechnic. Deadline for application is January 30, 2016 and the winner be notified on or before March 1, 2016.
MARCH into Membership Month! With the exception of a few frosty days, it feels like YYC’ers are starting to see the end of winter. Spring is officially here in three weeks and what better way begin anew than to join CPRS or encourage friends and colleagues to sign up! Benefits of joining CPRS In addition…
Making Changes Association was named CPRS Calgary’s partner for #YYCPR – Communications for a Cause, after being voted as the organization of choice by CPRS Calgary members. Our dedicated CPRS Calgary volunteers, approximately 10 strong, have been hard at work lending their skills and talent to help Making Changes communicate about its role and vision,…
Less than a Week until WPRF Early Bird Deadline! Not only is March Membership Month for CPRS but it’s also a big month for the World PR Forum. The biggest milestone, March 15th’s Early Bird deadline, is now less than a week away, which doesn’t leave much time for CPRS members to save $200 off…
We want you to join the Board! CPRS Calgary wants you on our Board of Directors! We’re looking for experienced communicators, who want to make a difference in our profession to join the CPRS Calgary Board in 2016. As a board member, you can play a key role in shaping the services we provide members…
SAIT reveals first new brand in almost two decades By Melanie Simmons, Public Relations Specialist, SAIT What is your brand? How do you stand out from the crowd? Today, brand is the essence of a product or service — how an audience relates to it. Earlier this month, the third largest post-secondary in Alberta pulled…
Come Prepared for Glenna’s ‘Chose Your Own Adventure’ Session on Building Your Personal Brand Wednesday, president of Cross Wise Communications Glenna Cross, ABC, MC will be presenting Building Your Personal Brand, an audience-driven evening of learning geared towards job searchers – both those who are currently looking and those who will be looking in the…
Does the PR accreditation matter? We asked employers Experienced communicators across the country often ask themselves an important career question this time of year; is it time I finally pursue public relations accreditation? The deadline to apply for the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is Dec. 1. Information about the accreditation process can be…
by Jenn Gardiner For any public relations practitioner., evaluation measures the effectiveness of a message, proves the value of the practitioner, and gives insight into how to better communicate with audiences. Few opinions on how best to evaluate have been as widely accepted as the Barcelona Principles. The Barcelona Principles are a set…
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, it’s important to reflect on the goals we set for ourselves in 2016. As President of CPRS Calgary, my primary mandate is to ensure members are getting value from their membership. At our 2016 Annual General Meeting, the Board committed to providing more opportunities…
Welcome to 2017! I hope all members enjoyed some down time with family and friends over the holidays and are ready and energized to take on the New Year. This year, CPRS Calgary will continue to focus on providing value to members as we work to achieve the objectives set out at our 2016…
March is Membership Month at CPRS CPRS Calgary is hard at work to bring our members even more benefits and value than last year. New to CPRS? If you join CPRS in the month of March there are added benefits for you to enjoy: You’ll receive a 12-month subscription to PRSA’s Public Relations Tactics courtesy…
Calgary Legacy Scholarship Deadline: March 30, 2017 Click Here for an Application The Scholarship The $1,000 Scholarship is awarded annually to a student studying public relations/ communications in a recognized program at one of Mount Royal University, University of Calgary or SAIT Polytechnic. In addition, the winner will receive complimentary CPRS membership for year three…
The Top 4 Benefits of Joining CPRS The end of March as Membership Month is fast approaching. Whether you are thinking about joining yourself or you need one last nudge to send that encouraging email to friends and colleagues to sign up, here are the top benefits of joining CPRS. 1) Networking Networking is arguably…
You like a challenge. An experienced professional communicator, strategic thinker and problem solver, perhaps the Accredited Public Relations (APR) designation is something you’ve considered pursuing in the past. Maybe your goal is to expand your network of experienced professionals locally and across the country. Or broaden your knowledge and understanding of the profession, displaying ambition, competence, ethics and…
The digital transformation of public procurement will bring huge changes to the sector, but it also offers increased competitiveness of our economies.
The Top 3.5 Benefits of Joining CPRS The end of March as Membership Month is fast approaching. So whether you are thinking about joining yourself or you need one last nudge to send that email encouraging friends and colleagues to sign up, here are the top four benefits of joining CPRS. 1) Networking Networking is…
