June 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
If there’s one time of year that really captures the energy of our chapter, it’s now. There’s a lot of opportunities ahead to connect, celebrate, and show off great work.
Rocks season—your moment to shine.
The Cleveland Rocks Awards – which recognize the campaigns, ideas, and people elevating Northeast Ohio – are officially open. This is your moment to showcase incredible work, support students, and celebrate area professionals.
I encourage you to get involved by:
- Submitting your best campaigns and results
- Nominating a trusted mentor, peer, or industry leader for an individual award
- Considering a sponsorship to support the Chapter and showcase your brand
And while we celebrate the work, let’s also make time to connect.
Our Annual Member Social on June 30 is one of the easiest – and most enjoyable – ways to stay engaged. There’s no agenda, just time to meet new people, reconnect with colleagues, and build relationships that last beyond the event.
Bring a friend or colleague to and give them a first-hand look at what makes the Greater Cleveland Chapter so special.
I can’t wait to see the incredible work you submit this year—and hope to see you in person this month.
Katie Archer
President, Greater Cleveland PRSA
Programming
upcoming events
Summer Social!
Join us on June 30 at Plank Road Tavern in Lakewood for an evening of conversation, connection and community.
Summer is the perfect time to step away from the office, reconnect with colleagues and build new relationships with communications professionals from across Northeast Ohio. Whether you're a longtime chapter member or new to PRSA, we invite you to gather with us for a relaxed evening of networking, refreshments, and engaging conversation. Event entry is free with the option to purchase refreshments. Monday, June 30 from 4:30-6:00pm. RSVP here.
Inside the entry: Decoding the Cleveland PRSA Rocks Awards
Thinking about applying for a Rocks Award this year? Start here. Join us for an information session featuring members of the Rocks Awards Committee and past winners who will share a behind-the-scenes look at the submission process, judging criteria and tips for showcasing your best work. Whether you're a first-time entrant or a seasoned participant, this session will help you build a winning entry. We'll also offer a sneak peek at the lineup for this year's event. Join us virtually Friday, June 26, 2026 from 12-1pm. Free for PRSA members and non-members. Register here.
Call for Committee Members
We're forming our scholarship committee and need your expertise!
Committee members will:
- Review and refine the scholarship criteria
- Evaluate applicant submissions
If you're passionate about supporting communications students, please consider joining us. Contact Hanna at [email protected] by 6/30 to volunteer.
Monthly Blog
So Why enter the cleveland rocks awards competition?
By Chris R. Lynch APR, Fellow PRSA
Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.” — Vince Lombardi
The annual PRSA Cleveland Rocks Awards nominations for excellence in communications are now open.
There are a lot of top-of-mind reasons to enter not just the Rocks competition, as well as any association or creative communications award: program. Personal, team and company/agency recognition; bragging rights; justification of ROI, planning and communication execution; and of course, there are some cool trophies.
But the fact of the matter, when it comes to entering, winning, and actually being honored with a PRSA Cleveland Rocks award for communications excellence, you and your team have achieved something truly worth recognition in your field.
Victory belongs to the most persevering.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
One very important reason to enter Cleveland Rocks is that these are awarded completely based on the campaign or tactical project’s ACTUAL RESULTS. Not pretty pictures, one-time slogans, or neat ideas, but the totality of the work’s research, measurable objectives and strategy, execution, and actual outcomes of what the project was designed to do – and what results it truly generated.
Also – the Rocks Awards don’t grow on trees. There’s only one gold, and one silver award presented per category – and oftentimes, some categories only honor one (or even none) based on the determination of the Rock’s Awards out-of-state PRSA leaders and APR professionals who are the independent judges. These are all very knowledgeable communication leaders, so when they give you a thumbs up, you know it’s well-earned.
Click here to learn more or provide entries: annual Cleveland Rocks Awards:
Early bird entry deadline: June 26 at 11:59pm ET
Regular entry deadline: August 11 at 11:59 pm ET
PRSA Greater Cleveland/Akron Members, CLE Press Club members entry fees:
-Early bird rate: $80
-Regular rate: $90
Nonmember entry fees:
-Early bird rate: $85
-Regular rate: $100
-PRSSA Student entry: $50
Cleveland Rocks Awards Presentation: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, The Aviator (American Contemporary Pub) 20920 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, 5:30 p.m.
Mentorship Program
Accelerate Your PR Career with a Mentor
Early-career PR can be exciting and overwhelming. Mastering writing, pitching, and media strategy is essential, but having someone to guide you through real-world challenges can make all the difference.
That’s where the Greater Cleveland PRSA Mentorship Program comes in.
Why It Helps
Mentorship gives you:
- Personalized advice from seasoned PR pros
- Honest, objective feedback
- Practical insights on everything from pitching to crisis comms
How It Works
- Mentees: 1–5 years of experience
- Mentors: 7+ years in the field
- Six-month program with monthly meetups
- Flexible format tailored to each pair
Many participants build connections that last well beyond the program.
Ready to Grow?
Take the next step in your PR journey and build relationships that will support your career for years to come. Learn more: prsacleveland.org/Mentorship_Program
Reminders
Send your company or professional news!
Do you have company PR, marketing, and/or communications milestones to share with the Chapter? Send your news and updates to Samantha Farland, VP Communications/President Elect at [email protected] to be featured!
interested in speaking opportUNITIES?
Contact Briana Cooper at [email protected] for details.