Twelve members of the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at Ohio State traveled to Washington, D.C., in late October for the organization’s annual international conference (ICON).

Ohio State attendees included all 10 student board officers and two general members. At the conference the chapter received a national Star Chapter Award. The chapter’s professional advisor, Kevin Saghy, was also recognized as the new co-chair of the Champions for PRSSA national initiative.

With over 2,000 professionals and students in attendance, ICON is the largest annual U.S. gathering for the communications industry. The conference features professional development workshops, daily keynote sessions and opportunities for networking.

Speakers included “Gilmore Girls” actress and New York Times bestselling author Lauren Graham, SHRM chief brand and marketing officer Tina Beaty and former White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson. Presentations covered a variety of topics, from job hunting tips to lessons on leadership.

“One of my key takeaways from ICON was that we can’t lead well until we learn to lead ourselves,” said Mackenzie Smith, Ohio State PRSSA president and a third-year communication minor. “This was very impactful for me, especially being new to a leadership position, because it reminded me about the importance of showing up for yourself so that you can show up for the people that rely on you and look up to you.”

For many of the students, the chance to connect with like-minded students and pros was the most valuable part of the conference.

“The opportunity to network with industry professionals and peers and strengthen connections within my own chapter was truly transformative,” Ashley Krebs, a second-year strategic communication major and Ohio State PRSSA secretary, said. “The experience reinforced how essential it is to stay connected and engaged in order to grow and succeed in the field of public relations.”

Students returned to Columbus with a deeper understanding of the international PRSSA network and ideas for implementing more professional development benefits for Ohio State chapter members. To learn more about PRSSA, visit the chapter website.