About Our Chapter

PRSA Richmond is a professional association serving Central Virginia public relations practitioners. We strive to bring professionals together to enhance the practice, provide an exchange of experiences and ideals, and promote professional development. The Chapter boasts more than 250 members representing a wide variety of businesses throughout the metro Richmond region, including state/government agencies, Fortune 500 corporations, educational institutions, not-for-profit associations, public relations and marketing agencies, small businesses and independent practitioners. We offer monthly lunch programs, networking events, an annual awards program, Accreditation study sessions, public service projects and other opportunities for professional and personal development. Three Special Interest Sections are offered to provide networking and professional development opportunities for members at various stages of their careers: The Next Wave (members with less than five years of PR experience), Senior Practitioners (members with more than 10 years of PR experience) and Independent Practitioners (members who are sole PR practitioners). In 1999, the Chapter created the Richmond Public Relations Foundation, which provides two annual scholarships — the David Hurdle Memorial Scholarship and the William Dietrick Memorial Scholarship — to support students interested in pursuing a career in the public relations profession. In the 1960s, the Chapter began a cherished tradition of presenting the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service to a deserving community servant and, in the 1970s, began presenting the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Relations to an outstanding PR professional. The Thomas Jefferson Award is presented during the Chapter’s annual Virginia Public Relations Awards gala. PRSA Richmond was formed in 1995 from the merger of two longtime public relations organizations, the Old Dominion Chapter of PRSA and the Richmond Public Relations Association, which dates back to the 1940s. For more information about the Chapter, as well as its programs and activities, visit the PRSA Richmond Web site.