MOBILE, Ala. — Communications and public relations professionals from across the state will soon gather in Mobile as the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) hosts its 2026 PRCA State Conference March 18–20 at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa.

This year’s conference theme, “Celebrate!”, reflects both the host city’s culture and the profession’s impact. Known as a city Born to Celebrate, Mobile will welcome communicators for three days of professional development, networking and recognition of the creativity, leadership and resilience that drive organizations and communities forward.

The Mobile Chamber encourages local companies, nonprofits and public agencies to take advantage of this opportunity and send members of their communications teams to participate in the statewide event happening right here in Mobile.

Inspiring speakers and timely topics

The conference will feature a lineup of keynote speakers and sessions designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing communications professionals today.

Juanita McDowell will deliver a keynote titled “Get Sticky™ for PR Professionals: Achieve More Without Burning Out in an AI-Shaped World.” Her presentation explores how PR professionals can adapt to expanding responsibilities — from social media and digital platforms to emerging AI tools — while maintaining productivity and balance.

Riz Vazir will present “Everyone’s Doomscrolling: Leading in a Digitally Distracted Workplace.” Drawing on digital wellness research, the session examines how excessive screen time affects focus, productivity and professional judgment, offering practical strategies for leaders to help teams navigate digital overload.

Susan Poole will lead “Mastering Crisis Communications: Strategies for Transparency, Trust and Timely Response.” The session will equip communicators with tools to prepare for and manage crises in an era of rapid news cycles and social media scrutiny.

Joshua Jones will present “The Story Still Matters,” an interactive keynote focused on reconnecting communicators with the purpose and values behind their work and the power of storytelling as a leadership tool.

Keturah Stone will present “Know Your Audience or Lose Them: Strategic Platform Selection in Modern Public Relations.” Using a case study of the City of Montgomery’s TikTok success, the session will explore how organizations can strategically select platforms and align messages to reach the audiences that matter most.

Spotlight on AI and the future of the profession

Artificial intelligence will also be a major topic of discussion during the conference. An Emerging Practitioners panel titled “AI + The New PR Workflow: What Students Are Using and Where They Draw the Line” will feature five student communicators sharing how they use AI tools for brainstorming, research, writing and content development — and where they believe ethical boundaries should remain.

Panelists include:

• Amanda Garner — University of Alabama

• Kennedy Jenkins — University of South Alabama

• Alexis Carter — Alabama State University

• Jack Kash — Auburn University

• Emily Jansen — University of South Alabama

The conversation will provide insight into how the next generation of communicators is approaching AI and which skills remain essential in an AI-powered profession.

Professional advancement through accreditation

The conference will also feature an APR/APR+M Workshop designed for professionals considering accreditation in public relations.

A featured panel titled “The ROI of the APR” will include Mary Wilson, APR; Deb Salisbury, APR; and Amanda Young, APR, who will discuss how earning accreditation strengthened their credibility with executive leadership and helped elevate their strategic influence within organizations.

A statewide celebration of communication

Whether attendees are seasoned professionals, students entering the field or organizations looking to strengthen their communications strategies, the 2026 PRCA State Conference aims to provide practical insights, valuable connections and renewed inspiration.

With the conference taking place in Mobile, the Mobile Chamber encourages local organizations to take advantage of the opportunity to engage with communications leaders from across Alabama.

Registration for the conference is now open.

Learn more and register at:
https://prcaonline.com/Conference