PRSA

PRSA

National Capital Chapter

September President’s Letter

Hello, September! How fun to start the month off with a happy hour with our NCC community at a Nationals game. While the Nats lost to the Atlanta Braves, the discussion and networking was fabulous.

This month marks Ethics Month for our profession—and with it, new ways to strengthen your ethical foundation, make meaningful connections, and gear up for an action-packed fall. Whether you’re job searching, looking to get more involved in PRSA, or just want to catch up with colleagues over coffee and networking, PRSA NCC has something for you as we near the end of the year.

Also, it’s a great time to sign up or renew your PRSA NCC membership. We’ll soon be announcing a special, behind-the-scenes member-only experience happening this November—and trust me, it’s one you’ll want to act on fast! Space will be limited and tickets will go quickly. If you’re not yet a member, now is the perfect time to join so you don’t miss out on this Instagram-worthy opportunity.

Are you getting excited for ICON next month? Here’s the latest:

  • Oct. 7 Pre-ICON Happy Hour: Get into ICON 2025 spirit early! Join us at Crimson DC as we gear up for ICON in Washington, D.C. Connect with fellow attendees and meet local ICON speakers, and if you’re still on the ICON fence, attend to receive exclusive ICON registration discount code. All welcome—whether registered for ICON, still deciding, or attending PRSSA ICON or pre-conferences (Health Academy, Educator Academy, Association/Nonprofit). Cash bar. 6-9 PM at Crimson Whiskey Bar, 627 H St NW. Members $10, students $5, nonmembers $20. Affiliates get $10 discount with code Affiliate10.
  • PRSA ICON 2025 in DC: The ICON lineup for keynote speakers and presenters is amazing. Don’t miss ICON when it returns to DC from October 28–30 at the Washington Hilton. Register now for this incredible learning and networking opportunity. Also, take advantage of bundling rates for PRSA Association/Nonprofit Section Conference or Health Academy Conference, held October 27-28 in DC. Both pre-conferences offer valuable opportunities for learning and networking, especially for communicators seeking new job opportunities.

What Else You Need to Know This Month:

  • Sept. 25 Speed Mentoring Happy Hour: Students and young professionals network with PR pros across higher education, association, government, military, nonprofit, agency, and more. Perfect for job/internship hunting or getting ahead before PRSSA ICON. Multiple prize drawings for Speed Mentoring Challenge participants. Light refreshments provided. Advance registration required. 6:00-8:00 PM at Georgetown Car Barn Pavilion, 3520 Prospect Street NW. Students are free!
  • Sept. 30 Crisis Communications: Don’t wait until a crisis arrives—get prepared with pros who’ve been there. Candid discussion with crisis experts Ebony Fleming (City of Alexandria), Kevin Johnson (Edelman), and Sujata Mitra (Edelman), moderated by Liz Bolton (Alexandria Economic Development Partnership). Learn crisis playbooks, media engagement under pressure, and real-time executive advising. 5:30-6:30 PM at Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, 1940 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Register for this in-person event today.
  • Oct. 1 Breakfast Breakthrough – Infrastructure Communications: Learn strategies for communicating invisible yet essential systems with Rahkia Nance, Director of Communications at National Association of Clean Water Agencies. Discover how to translate infrastructure into impact, use storytelling to resonate, and build public trust around “out of sight, out of mind” issues. Must for infrastructure or utilities communicators. Intrigued? Register here. 9:00-10:30 AM at Scott Circle Communications, 1307 New York Ave NW. Members $20, nonmembers $35.
  • Oct. 9 Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit: Don’t miss one of the largest annual gathering of marketing, advertising, PR, communications, and media professionals. Join 500+ professionals from brands, associations, professional services, government, tech companies for panels, keynotes, presentations, and networking on industry trends, best practices, and challenges. Act now for best pricing and use your PRSANCC discount. 8 AM-5 PM at Convene Conference Center, 1201 Wilson Blvd 30th floor, Arlington, VA.
  • Coffee & Community in Foggy Bottom and Crystal City: Casual, members-only coffee meetups happen monthly through November across the DMV. Great way to meet people, exchange ideas, and connect with chapter leadership in a relaxed setting. October 14: Tatte Foggy Bottom (2129 I St NW, DC). November 13: Tatte Crystal City (269 19th Ct S Suite 65, Arlington). Both 8-9 AM.
  • Crystal’s Non-PRSA Resource of the Month: Jonathan Rick, who led a dynamic workshop for our chapter this past July, offers a treasure trove of communication expertise through his presentations. As a DC-based ghostwriter and speaker who’s collaborated with cabinet secretaries and C-suite executives, Jonathan covers essential topics like LinkedIn optimization, business writing fundamentals, social media strategy, SEO basics, Google Analytics, Wikipedia editing, and presentation skills. His workshops are highly interactive and “thoroughly fun” (his words), making complex communication concepts accessible. Perfect for sharpening skills that differentiate you in today’s competitive landscape.

As summer winds down, recommit to your goals, growth, and community. Whether stepping into a new role, attending your first PRSA event, or looking to recharge—remember you don’t have to do it alone. We’re in this together.

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

Crystal Borde

2025 NCC President