PRAWNC debuts new member benefits, luncheon location

Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina closes the first quarter of 2010 with an annual membership drive ending March 31, highlighting improved member benefits and an anticipated change to its luncheon location.

"This year emerges as an exciting, energetic moment in the chronology of public relations and our organization," says Sherri L. McLendon, president. "Popular, scintillating topics, unprecedented networking strategies, social media integration, and the need for adaptive expertise have driven the PRAWNC board of directors to increase member benefits with an eye to best practice and a competitive edge."

New benefits for membership card holders include full access to PRAWNC's 2010 membership in the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. "We felt strongly our national quality talent pool deserves recognition in Asheville and throughout this region," says McLendon. For this reason, the board of directors made the decision to move quarterly luncheons to the chamber location, where PRAWNC will host speakers and conduct its regular business.

Improved member benefits include a range of "after-five" and evening events at a range of innovative venues, first in December 2009, at the Wine Studios of Asheville, and in February at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. "The response from our members to the semi-structured networking opportunity we provide remains exciting; we've seen a 35% increase in attendance at events since December," says McLendon.

Continued and extended benefits include reduced fees for luncheons and events (including the prestigious Best of the Mountains awards entries and ceremony), unsurpassed networking opportunities, free job and internship listings on the PRAWNC web site and on Linked In, access to the Linked In private member network and discussion group, and support for students and job seekers.

Currently, membership is $50 for practicing members, and $25 for student members. To become a member, one fills out a membership form (emailed as a link to current and prospective members) and chooses a preferred payment option. Thanks to electronic data submission, membership is almost instant. For more information or to join, industry professionals are encouraged to visit www.prawnc.org.

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Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina, or PRAWNC, is the region's premier professional organization for public relations, marketing, advertising and communications professionals since 1983. Learn more about PRAWNC at www.prawnc.org/.

PRAWNC is a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation providing practitioners with opportunities for education, collaboration, networking and professional excellence.