Recapping ICON 2024 and Planning for 2025

I couldn’t be more energized by PRSA’s ICON 2024, which brought together remarkable minds and vibrant experiences in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 15-17. This marked my 27^th in-person conference, plus the two virtual events during the pandemic.

From insightful General Sessions with Emmy-winning ABC correspondent Gio Benitez, futurist Crystal Washington and Grammy Award-winner Melissa Etheridge to a thought-provoking closing panel on strengthening trust in today’s disinformation-filled landscape, the conference offered a potent mix of inspiration and dialogue. 

I’m grateful to have shared this experience with so many passionate professionals, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of what we’ve learned together.

While at the Anaheim Marriott, we hosted three episodes of Strategies & Tactics Live. Cheron Porter, APR, EVP at INLIVIAN, Housing Redefined, discussed how to cultivate a culture of belonging in the workplace; Matt Kucharski, APR, president of Padilla, shared wisdom about how executives think and lead in today’s world; and Matt Prince of Taco Bell shared some tips for social media success.

Those who missed these discussions can watch them on the PRSA LinkedIn page under the “Events” section. You may also find our ICON recaps posted on PRsay, as well as Q&As with thought leaders from Disneyland, the Los Angeles Angels and Wells Fargo.

Celebrating Gold

We recently learned that Strategies & Tactics won a Gold MarCom Award, which the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals administers. We were honored for our November-December 2023 issue, themed “A Year-End Look at Tech.”

This is our third major award for the publication in the past two years, including a Bronze Excel Award in the Newspaper/General Excellence category and a Platinum MarCom Award in 2023.

Elsewhere on the awards front, PRSA is one of four finalists in the Global Alliance World Public Relations & Communication Award for Global Public Relations Association of the Year. Winners will be announced at the World Public Relations Forum on Nov. 19-22.

Preparing for 2025

I’ll close out my last editor’s note of the year by looking ahead with our 2025 Editorial Calendar.

We welcome articles that cover a range of topics:

• Insights into emerging technologies that may impact or are changing the comms/PR profession
• Timely analysis of news impacting communications and communicators
• Thoughtful reflections on professional growth and development

Some popular topics our members find engaging include crisis management, employee communications, measurement and storytelling.

Please let us know if you’d like to write for Strategies & Tactics or the PRsay blog. You can send your story ideas to john.elsasser@prsa.org and amy.jacques@prsa.org. 

As the holiday season draws near, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. Your commitment to PRSA and advancing the communications profession is truly valued and appreciated!