# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 08 Oct, 2026 at 10:30 am – Thu, 08 Oct, 2026 at 07:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: This year, CMPRSA's PACE Awards will again join forces with Professional Development Day.About this EventProfessional Development DayWhat does the future of public relations, communications and marketing look like for Lansing-area professionals? Find out at this year’s CMPRSA Professional Development Day that brings back engaging speakers, cozy networking opportunities and valuable insight to help boost your career. Join us at the University Club from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, to hear from national and local experts on future predictions, trends and the information you need to improve your PR performance.You'll learn more about:• A Futurist’s Forecast by Ray Day, PRSA Detroit Past President• Changing Media Relations moderated by John Truscott, Truscott Rossman and featuring panelists: Kyle Melinn, MIRS; Craig Mauger, Detroit News; Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit News & Substack• Accelerating the Speed of Trust by Dan Olsen, MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences• Paid Media in the Multimedia Mix by Eman Hubbard, Spark Foundry (Taco Bell, United Way)• AI, Ethics and the Human Value of PR by Chuqing Dong, M.P.P., Ph.D., MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and Morgan van den Berg, M.A., Piper & Gold Public Relations• New Media Influencers by Hannah Lupi, Bellwether PR, and Halutu Musa, Living OutRagislyWe’ll start the day with a scrumptious brunch buffet and snack at the break on fall favorites like cider, donuts and apples. While the agenda is solid and the food will be delicious, we know the best part of the day will be catching up with old colleagues and meeting new acquaintances. Plus, APR pros can earn a 1.0 CEU credit toward accreditation for attending.2026 PACE AwardsThe CMPRSA PACE Awards celebration is an annual event that recognizes public relations practitioners who have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. More than 300 mid-Michigan organizations in the nonprofit, corporate, public and private sectors have been recognized for excellence over the past two decades.This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the University Club of MSU. The Gallery of Entries will open at 5 p.m., including cocktails and appetizers, and the ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/49baaf30-9c64-11f1-80bb-ebfa6612c095-rimg-w1200-h500-dc888888-gmir.jpg PD Day🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AMRegistration, Networking and Brunch Buffet🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PMKeynote Speaker - A Futurist’s ForecastHost: Ray Day, past president of PRSA and PRSA DetroitInfo: No one knows for sure what the future holds. We do know, however, that change will continue to come. Whether it’s how technology affects us, how we work with the changing media landscape or what research and trends we need to pay attention to so we can guide our clients and organizations, PR professionals need to stay ahead of the curve to maximize their effectiveness. Currently vice chair of Stagwell and executive chair of Allison Worldwide, Day will use his well-heeled experience and forward-looking discipline from more than 3 decades as a CCO leading global communications teams, brands and agencies. He is well-known for his expertise in reputation building, content creation, data and analytics, crisis readiness and recovery, and communications team development. He is well-published and has spoken to many groups about the future of communications globally and here at home. Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to hear what this accomplished PR veteran. has to share!🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:15 PMBreak🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PMSession #1 – Paid Media in the MixHost: Eman Hubbard, Spark FoundryInfo: Paid media isn’t replacing earned media — but it’s reshaping the way communicators build visibility, reach key audiences and drive measurable results. In this session, Eman Hubbard of Spark Foundry, whose portfolio includes national brands like Taco Bell and United Way, breaks down how paid, earned and owned channels now work together in a modern media strategy. You’ll learn how to evaluate when paid placements make sense, how to stretch your budget across platforms and how to integrate paid tactics without losing authenticity or audience trust. Whether you’re pitching more, paying more or trying to balance both, this session gives you the practical framework you need to make smarter media decisions.🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PMSession #2 – New Media InfluencersHost: Hannah Lupi, APR, Bellwether PRInfo: Influencers drive results, even in our state and local areas. Learn how to work with these new professionals in a professional manner.🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PMBreak🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PMSession #3 – AI, Ethics and the Human Value of PRHost: Chuqing Dong, M.P.P., Ph.D., MSU College of CommArtsSciInfo: As generative AI rapidly reshapes public relations, communicators are being asked to work faster while thinking more critically about trust, ethics, and the enduring value of human expertise. Drawing on current research, industry trends, and professionals’ lived experiences, this workshop will first examine how AI is changing communication work and why human judgment, creativity, and relational skills remain essential. Participants will then engage with cases and scenarios directly relevant to public relations, exploring how AI can be used critically, strategically, and ethically across different communication tasks. By bringing together AI ethics and the human values at the heart of public relations, the workshop will provide practical, research-driven strategies for using AI responsibly, strengthening professional talent, and keeping trust at the center of the profession’s future.🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PMSession #4 - Accelerating the Speed of TrustHost: Dan Olsen, MSU College of CommArtsSciInfo: While any PR pro worth their salt knows trust is essential to building and maintaining relationships with constituents, they also know it’s getting harder to navigate that road. So much noise. So much mis- and disinformation. The onslaught of AI. So how do we do it in this new age of here-today, gone-tomorrow allegiances? With more than a decade of comms experience, Dan Olsen brings a practical, people-centered approach to communication that emphasizes clarity, transparency and leadership under pressure. A two-time Michigan State graduate, he believes the most effective communication is not just about messaging, but about trust, empathy and the courage to act. He’ll share his perspective on how things have changed, why and what we need to do to keep those precious, trusted relationships. 🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PMNetworkingInfo: Networking! That’s why you’re in PR. Take a break with your peers while enjoying cider, donuts and apples from the Michigan Apples Committee.🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PMPanel Presentation: Our Changing Media LandscapeHost: Moderator - John Truscott, Truscott RossmanInfo: As newsrooms shrink, deadlines tighten and platforms multiply, the rules of media relations are shifting under our feet. In this candid, end‑of‑day conversation, moderator John Truscott of Truscott Rossman leads a powerhouse panel of working journalists who cover Michigan’s most consequential stories. Kyle Melinn of MIRS, Craig Mauger of the Detroit News, and Phoebe Wall Howard of the Detroit News and Substack will break down how reporting has changed, what they need from communicators today and how PR pros can build stronger, more responsive relationships in a rapidly evolving environment. Expect straight talk, practical insight and a rare look behind the curtain of the state’s most influential media voices.2026 PACE Awards🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:30 PMGallery of EntriesHost: Keith Minaya - Live MusicInfo: View this year's Gallery of Entries and enjoy an hour of cocktails, heavy appetizers and networking with your fellow PR professionals.🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PMAwards PresentationInfo: Join us in celebrating the outstanding work done in our community this past year. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230 - **Event Categories**: fitness, Art, Music, Workshops, Entertainment, Meetups, fine-arts - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes - Location: University Club of Michigan State University - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 10, max: 175, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Lansing - **state**: MI - **country**: United States - **location**: University Club of Michigan State University - **lat**: 42.70511700000001 - **long**: -84.50247000000002 - **full address**: University Club of Michigan State University, 3435 Forest Road, Lansing, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/b53bd27be5088a008b9e1a6a9d55565b4bb524756f4fc8524e2fc4d6d42e47e1-rimg-w1200-h675-dc3888b8-gmir.jpg?v=1785690594 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day being held? - **A:** 2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day takes place on Thu, 08 Oct, 2026 at 10:30 am to Thu, 08 Oct, 2026 at 07:00 pm at University Club of Michigan State University, 3435 Forest Road, Lansing, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day? - **A:** 2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day is organized by Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA). ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "2026 PACE Awards and Professional Development Day", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/b53bd27be5088a008b9e1a6a9d55565b4bb524756f4fc8524e2fc4d6d42e47e1-rimg-w1200-h675-dc3888b8-gmir.jpg?v=1785690594", "startDate": "2026-10-08T10:30:00-04:00", "endDate": "2026-10-08T19:00:00-04:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "University Club of Michigan State University", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "3435 Forest Road", "postalCode": "48910", "addressLocality": "Lansing", "addressRegion": "MI", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "42.70511700000001", "longitude": "-84.50247000000002" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "This year, CMPRSA's PACE Awards will again join forces with Professional Development Day.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "2026-10-08T19:00:00-04:00", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "lowPrice": "10.00", "highPrice": "175.00", "price": "10.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "100.00", "name": "CMPRSA Members" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "150.00", "name": "Future Members" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "10.00", "name": "Students" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "50.00", "name": "CMPRSA Members" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "70.00", "name": "Future Members" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "10.00", "name": "Students" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "125.00", "name": "CMPRSA Members" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "175.00", "name": "Future Members" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-02", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/lansing/2026-pace-awards-and-professional-development-day/100001994516061230", "price": "15.00", "name": "Students" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA)", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/central-michigan-public-relations-society-of-america-cmprsa/22596985", "description": "Central Michigan PRSA is one of 100 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapters throughout the United States.  Based in New York City, PRSA is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. PRSA has more than 28,000 professional and student members. The Public Relations Student Society of America has 255 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the country with one located here at Michigan State University." } ] } ] ```