(BLACK PR WIRE) – MILWAUKEE – Public relations career development, training, reinvention and honoring excellence were among hot topics at the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) 2011 Conference and Career Fair held in Milwaukee recently. NBPRS President Wynona Redmond and Conference Chair Deborah Hyman welcomed 200 attendees from around the country. The conference theme was “The Network @ Work: Managing Transitions, Techniques and Technology for Business and Career Success.”

“Our goal for the conference this year was to have conferees walk away more inspired, informed and excited about the future of our business and their stake in it. Our ever-evolving industry offers unlimited potential and infinite possibilities. Our future is bright,” said Redmond.

The conference featured the premier of the first NBPRS Network @ Work Membership Guide, the only national directory of African-American public relations professionals, available for purchase in December at www.nbprs.org.

Program highlights included keynote speeches from former Ambassador to New Zealand Carol Moseley Braun who shared her extensive track record of success in public service, communications and business, and Meredith Moore, Director of External Relations and Brand Outreach, McDonald’s, whose meteoric climb has made her one of the youngest directors in the global company. Additionally, Virginia Clarke, author of “Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work,” lead a strategic career development workshop.

Conference honorees included Robert J. Dale, founder of RJDale Advertising & PR, one of the nation’s most highly regarded minority-owned firms, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Kim L. Hunter, founder, president and CEO, LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS, who received the Pat Tobin Entrepreneur Award in honor of NBPRS’ late founder; Tina Dugas, senior associate with Bloom, Gross & Associates Executive Search Firm, and Judith Harrison, Senior VP, Constituency Management Group, who received Founders Most Valuable Player awards; and Dr. Rochelle Ford, associate dean and associate professor of Public Relations, Howard University, who received the Founders Practitioner Award. Public relations agency, Edelman, received the Agency Mentorship Award.

Ambassador Braun received an NBPRS Cultural Award and Milwaukee-based photographer Harry T. Kemp was honored posthumously with a Cultural Award.

Additionally, NBPRS Network Awards were presented to Ken Smikle, president/founder of Target Market News, who is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on marketing, advertising and media targeting African-Americans; Julian Green, vice president, Communications and Community Affairs for the Chicago Cubs, whose background includes work for MillerCoors, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Senator Barack Obama; Alicia R. Thompson, vice president, Communications & PR, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, who directs internal and external corporate communications, media relations and crisis management planning; and Aprill O. Turner, PR professor at Morgan State University and communications consultant serving political and nonprofit clientele.

Sponsors for the 2011 NBPRS Conference and Career Fair include Northwestern Mutual, Harley-Davidson, Edelman, Constituency Management Group, Business Wire and Black PR Wire, Inc. For more information, visit www.nbprs.org.  

About NBPRS
Since its founding in 1997, the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) has served as an advocate for black professionals in the public relations, media relations, corporate communications, investor relations, government affairs, community relations and related fields. Run by professionals for professionals, NBPRS addresses the diverse needs of its members through programs and partnerships that provide cultural and competitive advantages. NBPRS has chapters in major media markets and offers peer-to-peer support, mentorship, networking, job opportunities, internships, and career advancement strategies for professionals engaged in corporate, government, agency, non-profit, and private practice. The organization is more than 500 plus members strong. Visit NBPRS at www.nbprs.org, follow on Twitter @NBPRS and Facebook at National Black Public Relations Society.