PRSA and Puerto Rico Public Relations Association Announce Expanded Membership Agreement

Organizations to Establish Educational and Professional Opportunities for Members

NEW YORK, February 12, 2021 – PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, announced today that it has partnered with the Puerto Rico Public Relations Association (PRPRA) to provide mutually beneficial professional development, educational and career opportunities for members of each respective organization.

Benefits available to PRPRA members through the agreement include a discounted annual membership to PRSA as well as access to all PRSA programming. PRPRA will also provide access to its professional development and other program offerings to PRSA members.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the highly respected PRPRA,” said Linda Thomas Brooks, Chief Executive Officer, PRSA. “This strategic partnership underscores the value of PRSA membership and ensures that as the role of communications professionals continues to rapidly evolve and extend past our borders, we will continue to be the leading organization for gaining knowledge, experience and insights. We welcome our colleagues in Puerto Rico to PRSA and look forward to working with our new partners in the months ahead.”

“As leading professional organizations supporting our members on both ends of the Atlantic, this alliance will bring us closer and enable PRSA and PRPRA to expand continuing education and networking opportunities for our public relations professionals, as well as join forces as advocates for excellence in our industry,” said Karen Garnik, APR, President of PRPRA.

Added Garnik, “Given the regulatory framework of public relations in Puerto Rico, our members will have an even broader spectrum of options to gain insightful knowledge and ensure compliance with our required accreditation. We look forward to collaborating also with PRSA in supporting innovation, leadership, and diversity and inclusion initiatives among other programs to benefit Spanish-speaking U.S. and international colleagues.”

Garnik was elected an International Delegate-at-Large at PRSA’s 2020 Leadership Assembly.  This marks the first time a Puerto Rico representative serves alongside other national and international colleagues in advancing industry priorities on behalf of all PRSA members. “The appointment is an honor and privilege, which I will carry out with great commitment and responsibility,” said Garnik.

The Puerto Rico Public Relations Regulatory Board was enacted in 2008 as a result of Act 204 and requires the estimated 1,500 practicing public relations professionals on the island to comply with 30 continued education credits every four years as part of the license renewal process.

About PRSA

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With nearly 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented in all 50 states by more than 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit www.prsa.org.

About PRPRA

The Puerto Rico Public Relations Professionals Association is the only organization supporting and serving communications professionals on the island. Founded in 1970, PRPRA has a successful track record in the industry and is the primary continued education provider for public relations professionals in Puerto Rico. Its annual convention highlights up-to-date topics, promotes growth via educational programming and the Excel Awards recognizes industry excellence. PRPRA was the proposing entity of Act 204, enacted August 8, 2008, which created the P.R. Public Relations Regulatory Board, which certifies and oversees the compliance and ethical practice of more than 1,500 licensed professionals in Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit: www.relacionistas.com

Media Contacts:
PRSA
Karen L. Mateo
(212) 460-1454
karen.mateo@prsa.org

PRPRA
Karen Garnik, APR
(787) 502-2424
karen.garnik@gmail.com