In September, I attended Cultivate 2021, the national virtual conference hosted by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS).
The four day conference brought together keynote speakers, panelists, workshop presenters and public relations practitioners from across Canada who share a passion and dedication to the profession.
Learning the latest trends in public relations from subject matter experts, to networking with professionals from all sectors and industries at the conference left me feeling inspired and excited about a future career in public relations.
The conference kicked off with a keynote from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Robert Strang, titled, “From Public Health to Public Relations: How Canada’s Top Doctors Employed Effective Communication Strategies to Fight COVID-19.” The beloved chief medical officers of health shared their communication strategies that they continue to use, as Canadians from coast to coast grapple with a fourth wave of the pandemic. Key topics discussed included calm and consistent communication, combating misinformation and building trust.
There were many workshops to choose from each day of the conference, including one by our very own Dr. Amy Thurlow, Professor and Chair of the department of communication studies at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). Dr. Thurlow, along with Dr. Anne Gregory of the University of Huddersfield, presented “How Are You Measuring Up?: The Global Capabilities Framework and PR Practice.” At the conference, they were awarded CPRS’s Outstanding Achievement Award for their contributions in launching the Global Capabilities Framework in Canada. The Global Capabilities Framework is an innovative tool for public relations practitioners to use to benchmark their skills and capabilities to a global standard.
Other workshops included, “Communicating with Indigenous People Through a Dual Lens,” “Campus Safety in an Urban Neighbourhood: How Red River College Embraced Openness and Transparency to Respond to a Safety Crisis on Campus and in the Surrounding Neighbourhood,” “The Forgotten Mid-Level: How to Successfully Mentor and Coach in an Inclusive Workplace,” and many more.
The conference was educational and moving, and has enhanced and supplemented my studies in the bachelor of public relations program.
Perhaps the highlight of the conference was networking with professionals from all over Canada. I got a glimpse into the abundance of opportunity within the public relations profession that spans diverse sectors and geographic locations – from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia.
Learning from the professional experiences of others, along with their successes and challenges, was beneficial and encouraging. It was through networking that I gained more clarity on my own career aspirations and how to make them a reality.
Cultivate 2021 was an incredible experience for both professional and personal development. The value that comes from learning the latest research in the field to networking with like-minded professionals is immeasurable.
Thank you to CPRS National for an awesome conference.
The department of communication studies at MSVU provides a membership in CPRS for every public relations student.
Make the most of your membership and learn as much as you can – it is so worth it.
CPRS Nova Scotia’s next virtual PD session will take place on Oct. 20, beginning at 4:30 p.m. This session will feature BPR grad Danielle Hartley speaking about communication, engagement and relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations. Email cprsnovascotia@gmail.com to register.
Article By: Jane Landry
Editor, Symmetry Public Relations
