2025 PACE Awards & Professional Development Day

This year's CMPRSA Professional Development Day promises to be one of the best ever, with an outstanding lineup of top-notch speakers.

Join us at the University Club from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 to hear from experts on global to local trends and the information you need to improve your PR performance.

You'll learn more about:

• Mis/Dis-information, PRSA National CEO Matt Marcial.

• Mental Health in the Workplace, MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Opportunity Deputy Director Sean Egan.

• Gathering and Reporting Out Qualitative Results, M3 Group COO Shelley Davis Boyd, MBA, CAE, CEC.

• Landmine Communications, Panel (Invited): Regina Bell, Council of MI Foundations; Terri Slaughter, MDOT; Nichole Fisher, MI Parks Association.

• Intergenerational Communication, BCBSM Social Media Data & Analytics Manager David Murray.

• AI and How to Write Better Prompts with an Interactive Session, SuperWebPros Chief Web Pro Jesse Flores.

We’ll start the day with a scrumptious brunch buffet and snack at the break on fall favorites like cider, donuts and apples. While the agenda is solid and the food will be delicious, we know the best part of the day will be catching up with old colleagues and meeting new acquaintances. Plus, APR pros can earn a 1.0 CEU credit towards accreditation for attending.

The CMPRSA PACE Awards celebration is an annual event which recognizes public relations practitioners who have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. More than 300 mid-Michigan organizations in the non-profit, corporate, public and private sectors have been recognized for excellence over the past two decades.

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, October 9 at the University Club of MSU. The Gallery of Entries will open at 4:30 p.m., including cocktails and appetizers, and the ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m.

More than 300 organizations have been recognized for excellence in public relations over the past two decades. Non-profit organizations, corporations and public and private agencies in Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston and Shiawassee counties can submit entries.

Info: Who knows what to believe these days?! Mis/dis-information is at an all-time high. Hear about successful strategies and tactics to minimize the mis/dis and maximize your thought leadership.

Info: Join us for an empowering session on mental health in the workplace, led by a seasoned advocate in the field. Learn why you're not alone, how anyone—regardless of role or industry—can foster a healthier work environment, and walk away with practical resources to support yourself and your team.

Info: Back due to popular demand, Shelley will lead a discussion this year on qualitative results – how to gather, share and celebrate impactful feedback that goes beyond numbers and stats to provide the second, critical half of the data-driven equation.

Info: Nonprofits, government agencies and others are being asked to change language and wording to fit new standards in these turbulent times. Some are being asked to change hundreds of words and adjust long-standing hallmarks. This can greatly impact an organization’s inclusivity efforts as well as make it more challenging to navigate funding, partner relationships and many other aspects of constituent communications.

Info: Words matter. The difference in what you say to a 23-year-old may be vastly different than what you may say to a 26-year-old to get your point across. David Murray returns to give us his take on micromessaging to tailor your communications to various demographics.

Info: Networking! That’s why you’re in PR. Take a break with your peers while enjoying cider, donuts and apples from the Michigan Apples Committee.

Info: Everyone’s talking about AI, but how does that pertain to your daily work in public relations? Level up in your techno-fluency or get inspired to start your AI journey with this informative and entertaining talk. Join this interactive session (bring your laptop or tablet!) to learn how you can improve the power of the prompt.
Interactive break-out small tables by proficiency (Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced).
Ask the AI Nerd.

Info: View this year's Gallery of Entries and enjoy an hour of cocktails, heavy appetizers, live music provided by Keith Minaya, and networking with your fellow PR professionals.

Info: Join us in celebrating the outstanding work done in our community this past year. Featuring Emcees David and Monica Andrews.

Host or Publisher Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA)