PRSA

PRSA

National Capital Chapter

July President’s Letter

It’s hard to believe July is already coming to a close—and with it, the first half of the year. As we head into the second half of 2025, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and re-engage. PRSA NCC is here to help you stay connected, inspired, and growing, no matter how busy your year becomes.

As you plan out your professional development for the fall, mark your calendar now for a series of top-tier PR, communications, and marketing events. Bookmark these events now—registration for many opens early with saver rates available.

  •  PRSA ICON 2025 runs October 28–30 at the Washington Hilton—it’s the year’s standout conference for communicators from every sector. Since ICON is in DC, NCC is the hosting chapter. If you’d like to get involved with planning and supporting this event, let me know.
  • Student members don’t want to miss PRSSA ICON, taking place October 27–30 in D.C. and featuring dynamic programming designed specifically for emerging professionals. This year’s conference is powered by the combined leadership of PRSSA chapters at American University, Howard University, and the University of Maryland, making it a true collaboration of some of the region’s brightest future communicators.
  • For practitioners in associations or nonprofits, the PRSA Association/Nonprofit Section Conference happens October 27–28, just a short walk from ICON, featuring targeted sessions to address sector‑specific communication challenges. This conference will provide a valuable opportunity for learning and networking, especially for communicators looking for new job opportunities.
  • And local health communicators shouldn’t miss the Health Academy Conference, also October 27–28 and co‑located with ICON, offering specialized programming for those in healthcare and public health sectors.
  • Finally, October 9 brings the Mid‑Atlantic MarCom Summit in Arlington, VA, the region’s largest gathering of marketing, advertising, and communications professionals—with panels, keynotes, and peer networking you won’t want to miss. PRSA NCC is proud to be a sponsor again this year.

What Else You Need to Know This Month:

  • Coffee & Community: These casual, members-only coffee meetups happen each month through November across the DMV. They’re a great way to meet new people, exchange ideas, and connect with chapter leadership in a relaxed setting. Next meet up: Tuesday, August 12, 8–9 AM at Tatte 14th Street (1400 W St., NW, Washington, DC). Stay tuned for fall meetups in Clarendon, Foggy Bottom and Crystal City coming soon.
  • Networking & Baseball: Join us at Nationals Park on Monday, September 15 for an after-work fun, informal networking happy hour as the Nats take on the Braves. Mix and mingle with fellow communicators in a relaxed setting complete with ballpark energy and great conversation. This is the perfect way to cap off summer and make meaningful connections before the fall slate kicks off. Secure your ticket today. Tickets to the game and a $35 concession credit are included.
  • Crystal’s Non-PRSA Resource of the Month: Clear, compelling communication is at the heart of great leadership. That’s why this month I’m highlighting the Harvard Business Review email newsletters—a collection of articles and insights sent via email from some of the world’s top thinkers on storytelling, leadership, and management. Whether you’re preparing a big presentation, managing a tough conversation, or simply leading in a challenging world, these resources offer practical strategies you can put to work immediately right in your inbox.

As we close out July and move forward into the second half of 2025, it’s a good reminder that leadership isn’t a title—it’s a practice. Whether you’re leading a team, a campaign, or yourself through change, showing up with empathy, curiosity, and courage is how we move forward together.

Let’s keep lifting one another up. I’ll be talking more about leadership and service in my virtual Checking In office hours event in late August. Stay tuned for the date and registration information. If we’re not yet connected on LinkedIn, I’d love to hear from you—send me a request and let’s stay in touch.

Thank you for being a part of our NCC community. Onward!

Crystal Borde

President, PRSA National Capital Chapter