Benefits & Services

Since 1948, CPRS has been dedicated to promoting professionalism in the practice of public relations and offers a variety of benefits and services.

As a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society, you will have access to a wide range of opportunities, services and products of professional and personal benefit. These include:

  • Member Referral Program

    CPRS is pleased to announce its new Member Referral Program, which rewards you for referring other public relations professionals to join CPRS.

    In recognition of your contribution to the growth and viability of the Society, CPRS will credit you $50 for any applicant who obtains full membership as the result of your referral.*

    You can apply your rewards to any national program, including accreditation application, awards applications, national conference registration, or member renewal fees.

    You’re already telling people about the many great benefits of CPRS membership, so why not reap the reward?

    Direct your prospective referral to www.cprs.ca to apply online today.

    About the Member Referral Program

    How does it work?

    It’s simple – you refer a friend, colleague or acquaintance in the public relations industry to join CPRS. Once they are welcomed as a full national member within any CPRS Member Society, you receive a $50 credit that can be applied toward your accreditation application, awards applications, national conference registration, or member renewal fees. You must ensure the applicant lists you as the referring member.

    How will CPRS know it was me who referred the member?

    The print and online applications have been updated to include a “Referring Member” section. Your prospective member must complete this section for you to receive credit.

    Is there a limit to how many people I can refer? Do I have to keep track of my own credits?

    CPRS Members will receive credit for up to eight (8) referrals within a one year period that result in a new full member joining CPRS. CPRS National will track your credits. You can view these online by logging into the member area at www.cprs.ca.

    Can I apply my credits to my local professional development events?

    No. Because the Member Referral Program is a national CPRS program, credits are tracked only by CPRS National and cannot be used toward events or programs organized by individual Member Societies.

  • Leadership Opportunities

    A member-driven society, CPRS National is directed by an elected volunteer board of directors and various councils, committees and task forces with a leadership of professionals who are experts in the industry. There are numerous opportunities to become involved on both a national and local level.

    As a national CPRS member, the newest opportunity to further your leadership skills is becoming a speaker with the Speakers Network program.

    In addition, Society leaders promote the profession through media interviews, presentations to business audiences, strategic planning and a strict adherence to the Code of Professional Standards.

  • Local Member Societies

    16 Member Societies across Canada. Most Member Societies conduct regular meetings, educational sessions-seminars and other events to promote and assist the exchange of personal and professional advancement.

  • Accreditation

    The CPRS accreditation is a respected measure of professional experience in public relations. This program recognizes the dedication, energy, perseverance and competence of successful public relations professionals.

    The goals of the CPRS accreditation program are to

    • assure professional competence
    • establish standards for professional practice
    • increase recognition for the profession within business and the community
    • influence the direction of the profession.

    The exam is offered to eligible candidates once a year. Candidates submit a detailed application form and work sample.

  • Member Recognition

    Each year CPRS recognizes leaders in the industry with several prominent Awards.

    • The CPRS National Awards honour outstanding performance and service by our members exclusively. They are truly Canadian and national in character, showcasing our country's best public relations talent.
    • CPRS also honours a select group of members for their years of service and outstanding contribution through the esteemed College of Fellows.
  • Professional Development

    Each year, CPRS hosts an education conference. The event includes daily general sessions and concurrent educational programs pertinent to the practice of public relations as well as providing unique networking opportunities with public relations professionals from across Canada.

    In addition to National efforts to continuing education, local Member Societies host workshops, seminars and tutorials throughout the year.

    The Speakers Network program also offers professional development opportunities for Member Societies to host speakers from across Canada.

    CPRS has negotiated special member rates with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for their educational offerings including home study programs, videos, conference attendance and membership to PRSA Special Interest Groups.

    CPRS also promotes education excellence through its Education Standard and Curriculum Guide.

  • Communiqué

    Distributed approximately six times per year, the CPRS newsletter allows members to keep current on important Society and professional news.

  • Global Alliance

    Through the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management accreditation achieved by a practitioner is recognized by 11 organizations who have signed reciprocal agreements. A reciprocity initiative aimed to forge formal links with public relations societies worldwide and explore opportunities for international co-operation. To date, CPRS and the following public relations organizations: Public Relations Society of America, Public Relations Institute of Australia; Institute of Public Relations, Ghana; Public Relations Institute of Ireland; Public Relations Institute of New Zealand; Puerto Rico Association of Public Relations Professionals; Institute of Public Relations of Singapore; Public Relations Society of Slovenia; Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa; and Chartered Institute of Public Relations, United Kingdom have agreed to recognize each other's professional accreditation on a reciprocal basis in accordance with signed reciprocity agreements.

  • Speakers Network

    The CPRS Speakers Network showcases the talents and services of some of the most dynamic and exciting PR practitioners in the country. Our speakers are leaders in what they do and can educate, inspire and motivate your audience

    The Speakers Network was created to help local member societies locate speakers to develop cost-effective professional development opportunities. With the Speakers Network, you can select national speakers according to your budget.

    Interested in becoming a Speaker? As a national member give yourself the chance to be seen and heard. If you feel you would be a good addition to our roster, then we urge you to apply.

  • Full access to CPRS Web site Resources

    The CPRS Web site is your link to a world of resources and information about the public relations profession from a variety of sources.

    In its Member-only section, CPRS provides access to a number of tools and resource sites to help further your knowledge and expertise in public relations.

  • National Resource Library

    The CPRS' National Resource Library, located in Calgary's Mount Royal College, provides access to a broad collection of English and French case studies, award winning public relations programs and other PR information sources. It hosts the finest work by Canadian practitioners, including the winning entrants of the CPRS Awards of Excellence competition and accreditation work samples.

  • CPRS Career File

    Whether you are recruiting or job hunting, the CPRS Employment Opportunities Web Site has been designed to service Canada`s public relations and communications industry from coast to coast and in both official languages.

    Sponsored by the CPRS, this is a free service for public relations and communications professionals seeking new employment opportunities. Employment listings are updated weekly.

  • Publications

    As a member of CPRS, you will have access to a wide range of free services and discounts on products of professional and personal benefit. These include

    • CPRS Membership Directory
    • Accreditation Handbook
    • The Public Relations Strategist (PRSA)
    • Public Relations Tactics (PRSA)
    • PR Week

    CPRS Membership Directory
    This annual directory contains the name, title and organization of all members in good standing listed by Member Society, alphabetically and by industry category for easy reference.

    Accreditation Handbook
    This guide details the criteria for qualifying and applying for the CPRS Accreditation program.

    The Public Relations Strategist
    This quarterly publication by PRSA focuses on strategic public relations issues. Each issue features a CEO interview that examines the role of PR in highly successful organizations. Articles are written by leading practitioners on research measurements, corporate strategies and key issues facing the profession. CPRS members can subscribe to The Strategist at a special member rate, paid in Canadian funds. Download the application form.

    Public Relations Tactics
    This award-winning monthly newspaper by PRSA delivers practical, how-to information by PR practitioners. Cover stories analyze the PR implications behind major news events. CPRS members can subscribe to Tactics at a special member rate, paid in Canadian funds. Download the application form

    PR Week
    A special offer for Members: Subscribe to PRWeek and Save 33%!
    In a partnership with CPRS, PRWeek is offering Members a year’s subscription to PRWeek for just US$199, a savings of 33% off the regular Canadian rate. As a subscriber, you will receive:

    • One full year (50 weekly issues) of PRWeek–presenting the latest industry developments, including trends, statistics, account wins, and the PR Play of the Week
    • The PRWeek Canadian Newsletter – a weekly e-newsletter specifically created for the Canadian PR professional with content presented by a Canadian-based PRWeek contributor.
    • Subscriber-only online access to PRWeek.com - including news, features, and archives updated
    • Annual Supplements and Features including The Agency Business Report, 40 under 40, Salary Survey and more!
    • A daily e-newsletter and the option to receive other weekly newsletters covering the healthcare, consumer, technology, and services markets

    To take advantage of this benefit for CPRS Members only, complete the online form or contact the CPRS support desk at PRWeek: CPRS phone support: (646) 638-6048 or CPRS e-mail support: cprssupport@prweek.com