CPRS National Conference

I am writing from beautiful downtown Halifax - where I have been attending the annual Canadian Public Relations Society national conference. What a tremendous city - and what a tremendous effort, organizing three days of professional development and social activities for 400+ public relations practitioners from across the country.

I had the chance to spend time getting to know people from Vancouver, the Yukon, Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec, and of course from the Atlantic provinces, as well as meeting (and re-meeting) a strong contingent of Ontario and Ottawa colleagues. Every one of them has inspired me, and demonstrates the best qualities of PR professionalism. I am coming home with new ideas to explore, and a renewed sense of passion for my work.

A very, very special moment this evening was the celebration of this year's Mentor of the Year: my own personal PR mentor, Claudine Wilson. I have known her for 24 years, and she has become one of my dearest friends. She has shepherded close to 25 years' worth of graduates as they have gone through the program, and gone on to become stars in our profession. I am very proud to count myself among that number and must say (cliché or no) that I would not be where I am today without her. 

Finally, it was very nice to be presented with my APR in front of 400 of my peers, and to hear their genuine and elaborate praise for my own accomplishment over this last year. 

I recommend membership in CPRS to anyone in this profession. And I most fervently recommend to anyone who has not been to Halifax to get themselves out here ASAP! What a delightful city.