ECD May Chapter Spotlight: The Hills are Alive with PRSA Bluegrass
The East Central District Chapter Spotlight for the month of May shines brightly on the hill country of Louisville and the surrounding area of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. We celebrate the lofty elevation and aspirations of the PRSA Bluegrass Chapter as they find innovative ways to bring “the mountain to Mohammed.”
For example, the Bluegrass “Meet the Media” event isn’t the common panel discussion in a conference room. Instead, Chapter members go into the local newsrooms and TV studios to engage editors and reporters on their home turf. Another high-minded idea is the Bluegrass Advisory Council, a select group of communication veterans who provide grassroots interactions with rising PR pros.
PRSA Bluegrass was founded in 1957 and has 82 members representing a mix of corporate, agency, and non-profit communicators. Immediate Past President Chris North listed the Chapter’s “Biggest Event” as the Landmarks of Excellence Awards, described the “Meet the Media” series as a “Programming Fan Favorite,” and pointed to the Advisory Council, with its cohort of respected area leaders in media strategy, education, and health care communication, as another of the Chapter’s notable initiatives.
“The advisory council is designed to provide strategic guidance to the Bluegrass Chapter and strengthen its impact on the local communications community,” said Chris. “Through their expertise, fresh perspectives, and mentorship, members will play a key role in advancing the organization’s mission. The council’s strength lies in its diversity across backgrounds, experience, and industries, ensuring well-rounded insights from across sectors.”
In 2026, PRSA Bluegrass transitioned to the leadership of President Tristin Williams. “I’m focused on elevating resources and connections for communications professionals across Louisville and Southern Indiana,” Tristin described as her vision for the Chapter. “Building on our chapter’s momentum, we’re prioritizing stronger, more impactful programs that drive higher attendance and engagement.”
Tristin said a “Fun Fact” about their Chapter is engagement with area colleagues. “PRSA & AAF have formed a strong partnership to engage the wider communications and advertising community in the Louisville region,” she said.
Chris said the “Secret to a Happy Chapter” at PRSA Bluegrass is, “Demonstrating value, advocating for the industry, providing connection.” Tristin added, “Keeping our communication channels updated and active by celebrating new and returning members, spotlighting board leadership, promoting programming and membership, and sharing evergreen and timely content that keeps our community engaged year-round.”
Chris talked about “Bluegrass Programming Inspiration” in his Leadership Forum presentation at the November 2025 ECD Board Meeting. It’s worth revisiting in their Chapter Spotlight:
“We’ve been doing our ‘Meet the Media’ event over the years consistently, and it drives what we are known for in the community,” said Chris. The 2025 series included visits to three TV stations and the Louisville Business Journal.
“We go into their space instead of them coming to us,” said Chris. “We have new members and others who have never been to the stations. We reach out to the news or sales director about visiting, and we learn how they choose stories and how we as communicators can pitch stories. They give us feedback on our mistakes, like wrong ideas with press releases. For example, ‘Please don’t send us news releases about anniversaries and ribbon cuttings!’”
“One brought editors from every beat, and we got to ask about how they cover areas of interest. At WLKY, we toured the station, and it was also an opportunity to talk on air about what our organization does. We will keep doing it, rotating back to stations and organizations we have done before. The journalists are grateful to have us there because they get to understand what we are looking for. It is our biggest event of the year.”
Chris said Bluegrass likes to plan quarterly “Meet the Media” visits, plus a media panel discussion once a year. “But we like to go to see their space,” he said. “We have 30 to 40 people attend. We have to limit any larger crowd.”
“The connections, networking, and relationships are the benefit built from this,” said Chris. “They know me, and that can influence a pitch. When they see a different “hat” we are wearing, they recognize that.”
They also meet with salespeople or the station GM. “It’s an opportunity for them to pitch sales packages, an opportunity they always take,” said Chris. “They have programs; it’s good for us to know about them.”
“It sells itself,” Chris said. “There are always new people coming, looking for an opportunity to meet the media. It never gets old.”
PRSA Bluegrass 2026 Officers & Directors:
President: Tristin Williams
President-Elect: Alexus Richardson
Immediate Past President: Chris Nation
Secretary/Treasurer: Hannah Williamson
APR Chair: Ameerah Palacios
Social Media Chair: Carly Curry
Communications Chair: Alexis Bennett
Landmarks Co-Chairs: Hayley Armstrong & Dustin Vogt
Membership/DEI Chair: Amy Becker
Director at Large: Berry Craig, Jody Hamilton, Tom Lally, & Katrina Helmer
