A letter from our 2017 Executive Committee Chair, Tom Garrity:

We are all pack rats in some form or fashion, right?

While cleaning out some older files, I came across my letter of application and acceptance to the Counselors Academy. “I am familiar with the focus and reputation of the Counselors Academy,” I wrote. “I am interested in pursuing membership…”

That was 10 years ago in January 2007.

And this week, accepting the reigns from Martin Waxman, I am honored to serve as chairman of this great section of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

There is much to look forward to this year.

Spring Conference, our cornerstone event, will take place in Seattle (May 7-9, 2017) featuring the very popular elements of the San Juan conference as well as providing a new way of thinking about how we run our firms and invoice our time. This year’s conference chair Jon Goldberg and co-chair Rebecca Mosley will have more information in the coming weeks which you can find here on our new website. Please check back or subscribe down below.

Speaking of this website, if you are receiving this by email, I hope you'll visit us at caprsa.com and check out all that we now have to offer our members (and non-members.) You have been subscribed as a courtesy and will receive updates twice a month as new articles are published. You can unsubscribe at the link below at any time. The blog will provide content to help leaders of small to mid-size independent communications agencies grow their business and stay ahead of the changing PR landscape. You will also have one-click access to PRSA.org. Special thanks to Lisa Gerber and her content committee for a great job getting this website a reality.

Chicagoland members and practitioners will get a special sneak preview of an aspect of this year’s Spring Conference, thanks to PR Newswire.

On February 22nd, exchange insights with other agency owners and leaders on critical issues in building and managing successful small and mid-sized agencies in today’s communications marketplace.

The evening will also feature a discussion of value billing and alternative fee arrangements with Patrick Lamb, founder of Valorem Law Group and a pioneer in the use of value-based fees by lawyers. For more information and to secure a spot for the event contact Rob Merritt. Thank you, Rob for getting this event organized.

Finally, a special #shoutout to your 2017 CAPRSA Board, some have already been mentioned:

Past Chair: Martin Waxman
Chair-elect: Dana Phelps Hughens
Secretary: Chuck Norman
Treasurer: Alison King
Board members: Greg Abel, Ann Barks, Brenda Jones Barwick, Alice Chapman, Julie Curtin, Lisa Gerber, Natalie Ghidotti, Pam Golden, Jon Goldberg, Rebecca Mosley, Jennifer Thomson

Thank you for the opportunity to serve,

Tom Garrity
2017 Chair, PRSA Counselors Academy
President/CEO, The Garrity Group