September 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, our communications community will come together at Siena Golf Club for a milestone celebration: the 30th Annual PRSA Las Vegas Pinnacle Awards.
For 30 years, the Pinnacle Awards have given our local communications community an opportunity to put our work forward, learn from one another and celebrate the strategy, creativity and impact behind it. This year, more than 100 entries were submitted for consideration, with communications professionals from PRSA Alaska volunteering their time to evaluate the work.
I’m also excited that our Kudos Board is returning this year. It gives all of us an opportunity to recognize a peer or media partner whose work, collaboration or support made a difference – whether or not their name will be called from the stage for a Pinnacle Award.
Recognition matters in a profession where so much of what we do happens behind the scenes. We spend our days helping other people and organizations tell their stories, navigate challenges, celebrate milestones and earn recognition. On Oct. 28, we’ll get to turn the spotlight toward our own profession, recognizing the work, people and partnerships that make an impact across Southern Nevada.
And while we’re doing that, I also want to recognize the people who make the Pinnacle Awards possible. Our chapter is volunteer-led, and bringing this event together takes months of work from our board and volunteers, along with support from our sponsors, partners, judges and members. Thirty years of this tradition would not be possible without them.
Whether you’re celebrating an award, recognizing someone through the Kudos Board or simply joining us for an evening with our PR and communications community, I hope to see you there.
Cheers,
Courtney Fogle, APR
Upcoming Events
30th Annual Pinnacle Awards
October 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Siena Bistro at Siena Golf Club
We’re getting closer to celebrating 30 years of the Pinnacle Awards! Join us on Oct. 28 at Siena Bistro as we honor this year’s award-winning work and the professionals behind it. Tickets are available now!
Kudos Board: The Kudos Board is back! Recognize a peer or media partner whose work, collaboration or support made a difference with a personal shout-out that will be shared as part of this year’s Pinnacle Awards celebration. Kudos are $5 per submission, and they’re available here.
Interested in sponsoring? Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations looking to support the celebration and connect with Southern Nevada’s communications community.
November Networking Mixer
Join us in November for an opportunity to connect with fellow communications professionals and grow your network. Stay tuned for more details.
Thought Leadership
Navigating the Gray: Ethics in Public Relations
Thank you to everyone who joined us Thursday, Sept. 17, for our annual Ethics Month panel discussion. We were pleased to bring together communications professionals from healthcare, government, academia and consulting for a conversation about one of the most important, and sometimes challenging, aspects of our profession: navigating the gray.
From AI and authenticity to loyalty, integrity and speaking up, our panelists shared insights on how communicators can approach ethical dilemmas while maintaining trust, transparency and accountability. A key takeaway? Ethics isn’t just a conversation for September — it should be part of our everyday practice.
A special thank you to our panelists Sam Harvey of the Nevada Commission on Ethics, Gretchen Papez, APR, of The Valley Health System, and Kevin Stoker, Ph.D., of UNLV for sharing their expertise and helping make the discussion so meaningful.
Read the full thought leadership blog for key takeaways from the conversation and practical insights on navigating ethical challenges in communications.
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Member Spotlight
Meet Stephen Miller, Public Information Officer for the City of North Las Vegas. With more than 30 years of experience spanning broadcast journalism, public relations, corporate communications, events and community relations, Stephen has built a diverse career across the agency, nonprofit, utility and public sectors. From interviewing royalty and world-renowned musicians as a U.S. Air Force broadcast journalist to telling stories for the City of North Las Vegas, Stephen says his favorite part of the job is finding stories that are “inspirational, educational and entertaining” and can make an impact in the community.
Get to know Stephen, learn more about his career journey and read his advice for communications professionals in our latest Member Spotlight.
Programming Spotlight
Advance Your Career With the APR
The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a professional credential that recognizes strategic expertise and commitment to the practice of public relations. Interested in earning your APR in 2027? Join PRSA Las Vegas for a virtual informational session on Oct. 6 at 12 p.m. PT to learn about the accreditation process and the chapter’s free APR Ready to Roll program.
Ready to Roll helps candidates prepare through application guidance, campaign preparation, a panel presentation and a six-week study session with APR mentors. Candidates should have a PR campaign in mind for the panel presentation, which demonstrates skills in research, planning, implementation and evaluation (RPIE). The APR process typically takes about 12 months and includes independent study.
RSVP to [email protected] to receive the Zoom link.
Share Your Expertise at the Counselors Academy Spring Conference
Counselors Academy, a PRSA community for agency owners and leaders, is seeking speakers for its 2027 Spring Conference, April 5–7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Proposals should offer practical takeaways, audience interaction and original insights for agencies. Topics may include business development, leadership, talent management, finance, operations, succession planning and AI. Submit your proposal by Oct. 1 using the Call for Presentations form.
Registration is open; visit the conference website for details.
Connect and Learn at PRSA ICON 2026
Join communications professionals from around the world for three days of learning and connection at PRSA ICON, Oct. 18–20 at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
The conference features keynotes from Savannah Bananas Head Coach Tyler Gillum, bestselling author and branding expert Sally Hogshead, and Daytime Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Gaby Natale. Attendees can also choose from more than 50 breakout sessions on topics including data and measurement, digital communications, marketing communications, and reputation and crisis management.
Get Involved with PRSA Las Vegas
Want to get more involved with our local communications community? PRSA Las Vegas is always looking for members to lend their time and talents across programming, communications, membership, sponsorships, the Pinnacle Awards and more.
Whether you have a few hours to contribute to a committee or are interested in exploring future Board leadership, there’s a place to get involved. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more.
Job Listings
Looking for a new opportunity?
Check out these current job openings on our Job Board:
Public Relations Manager - Braintrust
Communications & Storytelling Lead - The IAN Center for the Future of Learning
If you're hiring, we're happy to share job openings with our PRSA Las Vegas community. Post a job on our website and it may also be featured on social media or in this monthly newsletter.
