Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), based in New York City, is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals. Its nearly 20,000 members, organized into 114 chapters, represent business and industry, technology, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations.

Chartered in 1947, PRSA’s primary objectives are to advance the standards of the public relations profession and to provide members with professional development opportunities through continuing education programs, information exchange forums and research projects conducted on the national and local levels.

All Carr Marketing Communications professional staff are members of PRSA, with some being members for more than 20 years.

Carr Marketing Communications also made a presentation to PRSA’s 2003 International Conference in New Orleans on “Gauging Community Perceptions in Healthcare.”

We are active members in three special PRSA Professional Interest Sections: Counselors Academy, Health Academy and the Environmental Section.

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

Founded in 1970, The International Association of Business Communicators provides a professional network of more than 13,000 business communication professionals in more than 60 countries.

IABC’s mission is for the membership to share in best global communication practices, ideas and experiences that lead to highly ethical and effective performance standards, shape the future of the profession through ground-breaking research, and chart the way in the use of advanced information technology in the profession.

PRSA Counselors Academy

Founded more than 40 years ago, PRSA’s Counselors Academy is dedicated to providing principals and senior counselors of public relations firms with the resources to grow their firms and the counseling skills of their people.

Membership is limited to accredited counselors (PRSA or Canadian Public Relations Society) or consultants with 10+ years experience in the profession.

The more than 600 members of Counselors Academy are passionately committed to evolving and preserving an open and honest peer network that energizes the individual and completes the senior professional.

Through its dedication to camaraderie among leaders in the profession, Counselors Academy creates the collegial environment necessary for the promotion of innovation, learning and sharing for the betterment of members, their employees and clients.

Carr Marketing Communications professionals have participated in the annual spring conference programs of PRSA Counselors Academy in 2006 (Savannah, GA), 2004 (Orlando, Fla.), 1999 (New Orleans), 1998 (La Quinta, Calif.), and 1997 (St. Pete Beach, Fla.)

PRSA Health Academy

PRSA’s Health Academy provides networking opportunities and a forum for health care public relations professionals to interact and share ideas with their peers. The Health Academy also offers its members an opportunity to address the latest issues facing health care public relations and the health care industry.

PRSA Environmental Section

Established in 1992, the Environmental Section provides a forum for public relations professionals involved in the unique challenges of environmental issues and their effects on an organization’s publics. Newsletters, seminars and conferences keep members informed of the latest (and potential) developments in environmental policies and laws, research findings, trends and communication techniques.

Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD)

A personal membership group of the American Hospital Association, SHSMD serves more than 3,700 members and is the largest organization in the nation devoted to serving the needs of healthcare strategy professionals. The Society is committed to helping its members meet the future with more knowledge and opportunity as their organizations work to improve health status and quality of life in their communities.

Carr Marketing Communications professionals have participated in SHSMD’s annual education conferences in 2005 (Chicago, Ill) and 2002 (Atlanta, Ga.).