As we wrap up for the year, I’d like to thank you for your continued support throughout 2021.
While the pandemic and subsequent lockdown put a dampener on some of the in-person activities, there have been some highlights.
The 2021 PRINZ Awards were the biggest yet attracting a record 136 entries. Judging these was a mammoth effort that involved more than 80 senior practitioners of the Institute with the assistance of international colleagues. It’s time to start thinking about the work you might enter in the 2022 PRINZ Awards – open for entries on Monday 17 January 2022.
Similarly, the 2021 Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) programme was also our largest cohort with 24 candidates. Well done to all our graduates and a huge thank you to all our mentors and viva voce panellists who gave their time and expertise to support the programme. We are already receiving applications for the 2022 programme and it’s shaping up to be another big year for APR.
One other highlight for the year was the unveiling of our new visual identity. Thanks for all your positive comments!
While we have been fortunate to continue to run activities in a virtual environment – thank you for your engagement with this – we will continue to offer a mix of in-person and virtual professional development activities throughout 2022. Keep an eye on the calendar as further events and courses will be added in the new year.
I want to thank you, our members, our community of ethical practitioners, for your ongoing support and playing a part in advancing our profession. Thank you also to our volunteers who kindly give up their time to share their expertise – the PRINZ Board, our Regional Committee members, mentors, and webinar presenters. We appreciate that you have busy lives and greatly appreciate the contribution you make to our profession!
Lastly, I’d like to thank my team for being such in such a challenging year. We farewelled long-term staff members Rheanna, Rosa, Violet and Alice, and welcomed Lauren, Mallaika, and Duan shortly before lockdown in what was fair to say was baptism of fire. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. We’re looking forward to taking a holiday and the PRINZ Office will close midday Friday 24 December 2021 and reopen on Wednesday 5 January 2022.
We wish everyone a relaxing holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Elaine