ICON 2023: Meeting Up in Music City

Some 2,000 communications professionals and students came together at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 15-17 for ICON 2023. 

Led by Board Chair Michelle Egan, APR, Fellow PRSA, the conference served as the backdrop for five concurrent PRSA events, which included PRSSA ICON 2023, the Health Academy Conference, Counselors to Higher Education Senior Summit and the Educators Academy Summit.

The General Sessions featured renowned writers and journalists Michele Norris and David Epstein. The Shindellas, a local musical trio, delivered a soulful performance before the Oct. 15 opening session, while Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell welcomed attendees before the Oct. 16 keynote address. There was also an immersive keynote salon titled, “AI in Communications: Today’s Tools, Future Projections and the Ethical Frontier,” moderated by PRSA Chair Linda Thomas Brooks.

There were ample social and networking opportunities, including the opening night reception featuring country music star Jake Hoot, season 17 winner of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Attendees had the opportunity to enhance their perspectives and skill sets with communications leaders from Comcast, the Conference Board, IBM, John Deere and Weber Shandwick, among many other agencies, colleges and universities, organizations and PR service providers. 

During the DEI Awards Celebration sponsored by Coca-Cola on Oct. 16, PRSA honored the winners of its annual Chapter Diversity Awards:

• First Place: PRSA Minnesota Chapter
• Second Place: PRSA New York Chapter
• Honorable Mention: PRSA New Mexico Chapter

Wrapping up the conference, PRSA Chair-elect Joseph Abreu, APR, unveiled details about ICON 2024, scheduled for Oct. 15-17 in Anaheim, Calif. A discounted Early Saver Rate is now in effect until Dec. 31. Visit the PRSA website for details.