From Your President: Reflecting on a Remarkable 2024
Posted by Graham24 on Dec. 13, 2024 / Subscribe 0
As the year comes to a close and my tenure as Chapter president ends, I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our board, sponsors, members, and all those who made this year such a success for PRSA Inland Empire. Together, we’ve achieved a great deal, and it’s inspiring to see how our collective dedication has propelled our chapter forward.
One of our primary goals for 2024 was to grow our membership by 20%, and I’m proud to share that we surpassed expectations, growing from approximately 100 members to 123. This milestone reflects the value and sense of community our chapter offers to public relations professionals across the Inland Empire.
In marketing and branding, we refreshed our materials, ensuring the chapter’s identity is strong and cohesive. This was bolstered by the generous support of sponsors, namely Cardenas Markets and Westbound Communications, whose partnerships have been instrumental in elevating our programming and initiatives.
We proudly awarded two $1,000 student scholarships this year, assisting the next generation of PR professionals. Additionally, we welcomed a new APR recipient, Josue Reyna, into our fold, and he's joined us as a board member, further enriching our leadership team.
Event participation saw an incredible 60% increase compared to last year, with more than 450 attendees across webinars and in-person gatherings. This surge demonstrates the growing demand for our programs and the value they deliver. Our Polaris Awards entries also grew significantly, showcasing the exceptional work of our local PR practitioners.
Social media engagement played a pivotal role in amplifying our reach and deepening connections with our members and community. Our three successful regional events underscored our commitment to extending our impact across Southern California, providing valuable networking and professional development opportunities. And, the PRSA First Place DEI Chapter Diversity Award was icing on the cake and welcome national recognition for our Chapter and our members' exemplary commitment to advancing DEI initiatives within the public relations field and the local community.
These accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our members, the tireless efforts of our dedicated board, and the generosity of our sponsors. Together, we’ve not only met but exceeded most of our ambitious goals for 2024.
As we look ahead to 2025, I’m excited for our 60th year celebrations and confident that our chapter will continue to thrive under the leadership of 2025 President CL Lopez. Thank you all for making this year one for the books. Here’s to building on our momentum and reaching even greater heights!
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