October 2026

Letter from the President

As I reflected on this year's OctoPRfest conference we hosted on October 1, I found myself returning to a simple idea shared by speaker Erik Dominguez: There is no shortcut to confidence.

Confidence is often viewed as something people either have or don't have. Yet Erik challenged that assumption through his "3 Ts of Confidence:" Time, Talent and Tenacity. Confidence isn't built overnight. We develop it through experience, preparation, practice and a willingness to keep moving forward even when outcomes are uncertain.

That message resonated with me because it connected with themes I heard throughout the conference. Whether discussing the future of PRSA, navigating organizational change, building trust or strengthening relationships, many of our speakers emphasized that meaningful progress rarely happens instantaneously.

In a profession that often requires us to respond quickly, it can be easy to focus on immediate results. But growth, trust and confidence are built over time.

More importantly, confidence creates the willingness to try new things, challenge assumptions and embrace change when it's needed. Throughout OctoPRfest, speakers encouraged us to think differently about what comes next — whether for our organizations, our profession or PRSA itself.

Innovation rarely comes from doing things the same way they've always been done. As communicators, leaders and chapter members, confidence gives us permission to experiment, learn and grow. And sometimes, it gives us the courage to leave behind approaches that no longer serve us in pursuit of something better.

Cheers!
Phillip Nicolino, APR
President
PRSA Iowa Board of Directors

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Upcoming Events

PRSA Volunteer Opportunity – YMCA Supportive Housing Campus

When: October 19, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m. 

Where: YMCA Supportive Housing Campus

Spend an evening giving back with PRSA Iowa! Join us for a hands-on volunteer night at the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus. We’ll start with a quick tour, then help sort donations, stock the pantry, organize supplies, and more. Although it’s a free volunteer event, we ask that you still register so we know who’s joining. Learn more and sign up here!

November Luncheon – Insights into Action: Leveraging Research in Public Relations

When: November 10, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden + Virtual Option

How can research help you make smarter PR decisions and create messaging that truly resonates? Join us for “Insights into Action: Leveraging Research in Public Relations,” where Flynn Wright’s Director of Insights, Mike Irwin, will share practical ways to use research to inform strategy, test messaging, and better understand your audiences. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of when and how to use research to turn audience insights into action. Register today and join us for this insightful discussion!

PRSA Holiday Mixer

When: December 3, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Fresko

Join PRSA Iowa on Thursday, December 3, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for our annual Holiday Mixer at Fresko in Des Moines. Celebrate the season with fellow PR professionals while enjoying drinks, light bites, and connection. Admission is free, but we do ask that you register so we can appropriately plan food and beverages. We hope to see you there!

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OctoPRfest News

Thank you for making OctoPRfest a success!

On behalf of the OctoPRfest planning committee, we would like to thank our members and those who brought guests to our annual OctoPRfest conference. It was a day full of learning and networking; we're hopeful you left with real-time tools and knowledge to put into practice. Attendees, please be sure to fill out the post-event survey that is emailed to you, as we use that feedback to shape the next year's event. Prost!

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OctoPRfest Sponsors

A big thank you to the generous sponsors who suppored this year’s OctoPRfest conference! Your partnership helped make the event possible and allowed PR and communications professionals from across Iowa to connect, learn, and celebrate our profession.

We’re grateful for your investment in Iowa’s communications community and for helping us make OctoPRfest 2026 a success!

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Ethics Column

Chapter Delegates Offer Tips on Ethics During September Friday FYI 

The September 11 Friday FYI session on ethics explored how strategic communications and public relations leaders can move beyond messaging to become trusted advisors inside their organizations. Chapter delegates, Dawn Buzynski, APR, and Jane Keairns, APR, shared practical approaches for communicating difficult or nuanced topics, building credibility with internal and external audiences and translating subjective narratives into measurable outcomes. 

The session leaders covered: 

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Member Profile

This month, we’re spotlighting Alexson Calahan, founder of Small Adventures Communications. Learn more about Alexson, her career path, and how she got involved in PRSA. 

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Job Bank

If you're looking for a qualified communications professional to fill a position, make sure to use the PRSA Iowa Chapter Job Bank! PRSA members pay $25 per post, and non-members pay $50 per post. Submit a position for the Job Bank.

Current job listings:

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Member Updates

Membership Anniversaries

In each issue of this newsletter, we recognize PRSA Iowa Chapter members who have milestone PRSA anniversaries. Congratulations to the following individuals who celebrated (or will celebrate) anniversaries this month!
 
15 years 

Eileen Wixted

1 year

Angel Jepsen

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Strategies & Tactics Highlights

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Sponsor Spotlight

We'd like to recognize and thank our participating sponsors!

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