Newsletter
July 2026 
Letter from the President
Those who know me well are aware that I'm a big soccer fan, so it should come as no surprise that I've spent much of the past month watching the FIFA World Cup. One thing that stands out in tournaments like this is that success rarely comes from sticking rigidly to the original game plan. The teams that advance are often the ones that adapt, respond to changing conditions and capitalize on new possibilities.
Just as teams use halftime to make adjustments, July provides a natural time for communications professionals to step back and assess the strategies, tactics and priorities we established back in January. What's delivering results? What has changed? Where might a different approach create a greater impact?
If it's not already on your calendar, I encourage you to take your own mid-year pulse check over the coming weeks. Celebrate what's going well, identify areas that could benefit from renewed attention and consider where you can have the greatest impact between now and year-end.
And if you're willing, I'd love to hear from you. What professional success are you most proud of this year? What challenge are you still working through? Your feedback can help shape future PRSA Iowa programming and professional development opportunities.
Cheers!
Phillip Nicolino, APR
President
PRSA Iowa Board of Directors
P.S. July 16 is World PR Day, a global celebration of communications and public relations professionals. Founded in 2021, the observance has grown into a worldwide movement that highlights the strategic role communicators play in building trust, navigating complexity and helping organizations adapt to change.
Upcoming Events
FREE PRSA Iowa and AMA Iowa Member Social
When: TODAY, July 9, 2026, 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Paws & Pints
Join PRSA Iowa and AMA Iowa for a fun evening of networking, conversation, and community at Paws & Pints! Whether you’re hoping to grow your network or reconnect with industry peers, this joint social event is the perfect opportunity to connect. Not a member of either organization? No problem! Come learn more about both groups while meeting local communications and marketing professionals. We hope to see you there!
August Luncheon – AI and Search: Impacts and Evolving Strategies
When: August 13, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Our highly anticipated August luncheon is already open for registration! Search is evolving from a list of links into a real-time conversation. Learn what this means for PR professionals as audiences swap Google for AI chatbots and social discovery, the "old school" keyword strategy is no longer enough to keep brands visible. Register now to secure your spot.
Friday FYI: Tips to Ensure Stakeholders Seek Your Ethical Counsel
When: September 11, 2026, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Where: Virtual
In today’s environment, communications professionals are increasingly expected to navigate complex stakeholder expectations, reputation risks, and rapidly evolving conversations around sustainability, social impact, and corporate responsibility. Be sure to register for this webinar event to learn how strategic communications and public relations leaders can move beyond messaging to become trusted advisors inside their organizations.
OctoPRfest News
PRSA Iowa OctoPRfest 2026
When: Oct. 1, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Sammons Financial, West Des Moines, IA
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Opening Keynote: |
Heide Harrell, M.A., APR and PRSA chair: "The State of PR and PRSA" |
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Session 2: |
Wixted & Co: "Change Communications" |
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Session 3: |
Attendees choose one of two breakout sessions. Session 1: Heide Harrell and Skip Hidlay "PR Ethics in AI" | Session 2: Workshop with Erik Dominguez |
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Session 4: |
Erik Dominguez: "3Ts of Confidence" |
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Session 5: |
Skip Hidlay: "Brand Storytelling & Strategy" |
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Closing Keynote: |
Muck Rack "What is AI Reading?" |
Early bird registration for members, non-members, and students opens Aug. 1, 2026, on the PRSA Iowa website.
Board News
Leadership Opportunities for 2027
It's hard to believe we're already halfway through the year and starting to look ahead to 2027! The 2026 PRSA Iowa Chapter Board of Directors is seeking volunteers to serve on the board nomination committee as we build our 2027 board, as well as individuals who are interested in serving on the 2027 Board of Directors. Any member, regardless of tenure, is encouraged to reach out if they're interested.
If you'd like to get involved in either opportunity, please email Baillee Furst by August 3.
Ethics Column
Join us in Orlando - PRSA Icon
We’re a little over three months away from PRSA Icon National Conference in Orlando. We encourage you to consider attending to explore the latest trends in AI, ethics, media, and strategic communication shaping the future of the profession. You will find the full agenda on the conference website.
Dawn Buzynski, APR, and Jane Keairns, APR
Chapter delegates
Member Profile
This month, we’re spotlighting Derek Zarn, Director of Marketing and Communications for the City of Urbandale. Learn more about Derek, his career path, and how he got involved in PRSA.
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:
Member Updates
Membership Anniversaries
In each issue of this newsletter, we recognize PRSA Iowa Chapter members who are celebrating milestone PRSA anniversaries. Congratulations to the following individuals who celebrated or will celebrate milestone anniversaries this month.
Pat Howard, APR – 15 years
Mattia Wells – 5 years
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