Newsletter
March 2026 
Letter from the President
It's hard to believe we're already in the month of March, but I'm pretty excited about it! The dawn of spring is bringing warmer weather and more daylight, and one of my favorite sporting events — NCAA March Madness — tips off in the second half of the month.
There’s also a lot of enthusiasm brewing within PRSA Iowa, and I’d like to highlight a few timely initiatives that support our strategy and mission for the year:
- AMA Iowa Partnership: If you didn’t catch the news a couple of weeks ago, we made an agreement with AMA Iowa to offer reciprocal event pricing for members. This partnership allows members of either organization to attend the other’s programs at member pricing and is a great example of how our chapter continues to innovate and deliver added value. Kudos to our program chair, Ellen Converse, for making this happen!
- Membership Survey: Please remember to participate in our membership survey. Your feedback is extremely important to our board and chapter leaders as we execute our strategic plan and continue evolving our offerings to best support your professional (and personal) growth. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.
- Accepting Scholarship Applications: Each year, PRSA Iowa awards scholarships to students pursuing degrees in public relations or communications. We also offer a scholarship for members seeking an advanced degree or professional development opportunity. Please encourage students, colleagues, or family members who may be a fit for to apply. The application deadline is April 19.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any thoughts or feedback. And best of luck in your NCAA basketball pools!
Cheers,
Phillip Nicolino
President
PRSA Iowa Board of Directors
Upcoming Events
Friday FYI
April Friday FYI
April 3, 2026
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
In April's Friday FYI event, Dr. Ryan Stoldt (Drake University) will examine how broader changes in social media have reshaped what audiences look for from brands, why “being real” has become such a fraught and high-stakes demand, and where many well-intentioned social media strategies fall short. This is a free event for members, non-members, and students — learn more and register here.
Event Recap
February’s snowstorm didn’t stop these members from volunteering! Despite the weather, they had a great time getting together, lending a hand, and learning more about YMCA Supportive Housing Campus and their work. Keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities!
Scholarship Information
PRSA Scholarships Now Open
2026 PRSA Iowa scholarships are now open! Annually, the PRSA Iowa Chapter offers three scholarships to help students and professionals in the pursuit of public relations education. Applications for all scholarships are open now and due by April 19, 2026. Learn more and apply online here, and reach out to Baillee Furst with any questions.
Membership Information
New Partnership with American Marketing Association Iowa
PRSA Iowa Chapter is partnering with American Marketing Association Iowa to better serve Iowa’s marketing and communications professionals. Members of either organization can now attend the other’s events at member pricing — expanding access to professional development and networking across both communities. We’re excited to bring our members together and create even more value statewide.
Now, in addition to upcoming PRSA Iowa Chapter events, be sure to also check out AMA Iowa events. You can find upcoming events by checking out their website or following them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
OctoPRfest News
Get Involved: OctoPRfest Planning Committee
The PRSA Iowa OctoPRfest is the region’s premier professional development event for public relations practitioners, hosted in Des Moines. Planning for the 2026 conference is officially underway, and we’re looking for volunteers to help create a dynamic day of learning, networking, and skill-building. Professionals at all experience levels are encouraged to get involved. The planning committee will meet virtually once a month, increasing as the conference approaches in October.
Interested in learning more about the roles, responsibilities, or time commitment? Please reach out to Laura McCaw, APR to get more details.
Ethics Column
Data Is Powerful, But Context Is Everything
As public relations professionals continue to navigate a data-driven landscape shaped by AI and rapidly accessible information, the responsibility to communicate ethically has never been greater. This article explores how data can misinform, even when it’s technically accurate, and why context, transparency, and adherence to our Code of Ethics are essential to maintaining trust. Read on for key insights and practical considerations for today’s PR practitioners.
Member Profile
This month, we’re spotlighting Caitlyn Lamm, Senior Public Relations Coordinator at Iowa Farm Bureau. Learn more about Caitlyn, her career path, and how she 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.
45 Years
Carol Bodensteiner
20 years
Allison Hay
15 years
Linda Bowman
1 year
- Will Linder
- Morgan Frideres
Member Area Login
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