The National Black Public Relations Society Inc. (NBPRS) Opens National Conference with April D. Ryan, Veteran White House Correspondent & Author

Golin’s CEO Fred Cook Joins Other Thought Leaders, Industry Experts, Authors, Educators and Executive Recruiters In the Industry’s Largest and LongestRunning Gathering of PR Pros of Color

Chicago – September 12, 2016 — April D. Ryan, veteran White House Correspondent and author of The Presidency in Black & White: My Up-Close View of Three Presidents and Race in America, will be a keynote speaker at the 2016 National Black Public Relations Society, Inc., (NBPRS) national conference, and will address the theme #PowerPR: Playing to Win on October 27 – 28, 2016 at the Mid-America Club in Chicago, Ill.

The one-day conference also features a general session with Fred Cook, CEO of Golin and author of Improvise–Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO and workshops with public relations experts from AT&T, Burson-Marstellar, Walmart and Ketchum. Special sessions will include insights of recruiters targeting entry-level, mid-career and senior level. Master Classes will offer strategies and case studies on sports and entertainment, social media and global public relations. Additionally, there will be high-energy Playing to Win sessions on crisis communications, the job search and entrepreneurship.

The early-bird registration rate for professionals is $299 per person and $149 for students. Conference organizers have negotiated a special room rate of $189 per person at the Fairmont Hotel, which is available until September 30.

“This year we’re offering a full slate of workshops and seminars to help PR professionals at every level strengthen key skills and strategies to succeed at work and in business,” said Neil Foote, NBPRS’ president. “We are continuing our efforts to make sure the industry makes good on their diversity promises and programs. Whether you’re entering your first job, transitioning from another profession, or a mid or senior-level communicator, the conference is designed to provide you with insights, skills and networking opportunities to take you to your next level. We’re playing to win.”

Raschanda Hall, president of the Chicago NBPRS chapter and director of global relations for BusinessWire, said, “We’re excited to host the national conference here in our city. We’ve been working extremely hard to create a packed program that will give professionals information and tools they can use in their jobs everyday.”

Our sponsors this year include (alphabetical order) BusinessWire, Edelman, Golin, Burson-Marstellar, Flowers Communication Group and Walmart.

Last year, NBPRS released its groundbreaking white paper, 2015 State of the PR Industry: Defining & Delivering on the Promise of Diversity and will present progress on efforts to move toward greater equity, parity and diversity. The oneday, invitation-only summit which was held in Washington D.C., surveyed best practices from corporate communication leaders, challenged some of the nation’s top public relations agencies to intensify their diversity efforts, and concluded with a four-point program focused on jobs and small business advocacy; training and education; alliance and partnerships; and thought leadership.

For more information, visit www.nbprs.org.

About the National Black Public Relations Society Inc. (NBPRS)

Since its founding in 1998, the National Black Public Relations Society Inc., (NBPRS) has served as an advocate for black professionals in the public relations, media relations, corporate communications, investor relations, government affairs, community relations and related fields. Run by professionals for professionals, NBPRS addresses the diverse needs of its members through programs and partnerships that provide cultural and competitive advantages. NBPRS has chapters in the major media markets and offers peer-to-peer support, mentorship, networking, job opportunities, internships, and career advancement strategies for professionals engaged in corporate, government, agency, non-profit, and private practice. The organization is more than 500 members strong.