Like many clubs and organizations during the pandemic, the Public Relations Network of the Quad Cities found it impossible to do what it did best – provide in-person opportunities to unite and educate the region’s PR and communications professionals.
In fact, the decades-old PR Network was preparing for its annual half-day workshop in April 2020 when COVID-19 put an “indefinite pause on the group,” one of its leaders recalls.
Fast forward to 2026 and PR Network is nearly a year into the organization’s reboot and has a full calendar of networking and informational sessions planned to help marketers forge new professional relationships and keep current on their skills.
“During the COVID period, much of the board resigned or just got busy readjusting their lives,” said longtime board member Doug Tschopp, one of the drivers of PR Network’s revival. “While other professional organizations for communications professionals have not survived, this local group is back strong.”
The Entrepreneurial Development through Guided Experiences (EDGE) center director and PR instructor at Augustana College in Rock Island told the QCBJ “An upswell from former members last year brought together a group of dedicated people to reinvigorate the organization.”
Mr. Tschopp and Tiffany Stott of Edwards Creative Services in Milan, had been talking about a relaunch when fellow marketer Amy Kolner of Quad Cities Investment Group posted a LinkedIn inquiry in the fall of 2024 to see if there was interest in resuming PR Network. A small group assembled that November and by March 2025 the organization was back with a Coffee Meet Up and two luncheons.
Initial organizers included: Ms. Kolner, Mr. Tschopp and Ms. Stott, PR Network’s co-president, along with Ronna Johnson, Regional Media News; Kay Luna, Deere & Co.; Erin Wyant, Edwards Creative; Trisha Knebel, IHMVCU; Jillian McCleary, Palmer College of Chiropractic; and United Way Quad Cities’ Amy Orr, the group’s other co-president.
Timely industry topics
Tracing its roots back to 1956, the local PR Network group mission is now open to all communications professionals in the Quad Cities region no matter their role or title.
“I think our goal is the same, to know and help each other as the communication media changes around us,” Mr. Tschopp said.
He added that PR Network is a volunteer-run and informal organization with no affiliation to any national groups. But its return fills a void for professional development for this local industry sector. In fact, he said the more prominent and costly national organizations no longer operate Quad Cities chapters. That includes PRSA, AAF, AMA and IABC.
“All of us can benefit from the networking and learning opportunities that groups like ours provide,” Mr. Tschopp added.
Ms. Orr echoed that the goal remains to educate and connect the area’s marketers and communicators. The vice president of corporate relations for United Way added “We look to bring in local experts on timely topics at a reasonable cost.”
Over the past year, the topics addressed by PR Network’s guest speakers have included SEO, artificial intelligence (AI), Design Thinking, podcasting, and media pitching.
The group meets once a month over lunch and also offers a Half Day Workshop in April as well as other networking opportunities. Members receive discounted fees for all programs as well as a media directory and annual membership guide.
“In 2025, we opted to do coffee networking meet ups in the summer months instead of luncheons knowing how busy everyone can be,” said Ms. Stott, who is COO of Edwards Creative Services. “Our goal for 2026 would be to continue to offer opportunities through the luncheons and networking meet ups.”
While the network was very active in 2025, Mr. Tschopp said “2026 will be the real kick-off. We all need a resource like this as we all seek to be better marketing/communications people utilizing new technologies in 2026.”
The 2026 speaker lineup and topics includes:
- Feb. 26 – Jen Hartman of John Deere.
- March 19 – “Building Your Own Custom AI Tools to Improve Your Workflow,” Laura Keenan, public relations specialist at Rival Digital.
- April 16 – Economic Development in Rock Island; speaker to be announced.
- May 21 – “Public Relations 101: Revisiting the 4-step Process;” Doug Tschopp, Augustana College.
Recruitment efforts
Leaders hope the PR Network will grow to more than 100 members in the next two years.
“I want to rebuild our network of communications professionals to share knowledge and experiences,” Mr. Tschopp said. “This raises the value of what we all do, and more importantly, it gives us all the resources of having colleagues across the Quad Cities we can contact if we need to borrow their knowledge.”
The board also has set its sights on expanding its outreach to more students and bringing them into the organization. It is offering free membership and discounted meeting fees as incentives. “We hope that the learning and networking brings them back on a regular basis,” he said.
A PR Network membership is $25 for professionals. To register or learn more, visit prnetworkqc.org, join it on LinkedIn or email [email protected].
The cost of the monthly programs (including lunch) is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Full-time students can attend for $5. All networking luncheons are held at the Community Foundation of the Quad Cities at Duck Creek Plaza, 852 Middle Road, Bettendorf.
