Event Details
| Date | Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 |
| Time | 11:30 AM networking/12:00 PM start |
| Location |
Columbia College Chicago 754 S. Wabash Ave, Exhibition Hall, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60605 see map |
| Register |
Register
Seating is limited |
$30.00 Member
$50.00 Non-member (Join now!)
Event Description
As we close out 2025, join industry experts for a dynamic panel discussion reflecting on the most impactful events, trends, and shifts that shaped the world of news and communications this year. From headline-making stories to the continued transformation of media, public relations, and digital platforms, our panelists will break down key moments that defined 2025.
Topics may include the accelerating role of AI in newsrooms and campaigns, the rise (and regulation) of new social platforms, high-profile corporate communications crises, evolving models in journalism, and the growing weight of ethical considerations in how organizations and individuals communicate.
Whether you’re a PR professional, journalist, marketer, or communications strategist, this session will deliver insights and takeaways to help you navigate an ever-changing landscape.
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion and get ready to step into 2026 prepared for what’s next.
Featured Panelists
- Jessica Dalka – Founder & Publisher, Chicago Planner Magazine
- Francia Garcia Hernandez – Reporter, Block Club Chicago
- Stefan Holt – Anchor, NBC 5 Chicago
- Shermann “Dilla” Thomas – Historian, Founder of Chicago Mahogany Tours
Event Structure
- 11:30 AM – Arrival and Networking
- 12:00 PM – Lunch
- 12:20 PM – Scholarship Presentation
- 12:30 PM – Panel Discussion
- 1:30 PM – Panel Conclusion
Elizabeth Frances Calabrese Scholarship Presentation
The Elizabeth Frances Calabrese Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 by Past PCC President and Adjunct Columbia College Professor Dominic Calabrese in honor of his late mother.
This $10,000 annual scholarship provides two $5,000 awards to deserving Columbia students with financial need:
-
One scholarship will be awarded specifically to Public Relations, Advertising, Social Media and Digital Strategy, Marketing, English, and Journalism majors.
-
One scholarship will be awarded to a student within the Schools of Business and Entrepreneurship or Communication and Cultures, with priority consideration given to a student with disabilities.