June 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report

As PR professionals, we're always striving to reach new heights and celebrate the accomplishments that make a difference in our organizations and communities. This month, NMPRSA is offering several opportunities to help you recognize excellence, learn from award-winning professionals, and connect with peers.
Nominations are now open for the annual Cumbre Awards
This is New Mexico's premier celebration of outstanding public relations and communications work. If you've achieved results you're proud of, I encourage you to submit an entry. To help you prepare, join our upcoming June 24 webinar featuring the team from Sinuate Media, whose award-winning campaign earned three Best-in-Show Cumbre Awards and a PRSA Anvil Award of Excellence.
We're also excited to host a complimentary Mix & Mingle on June 18 at the Homestead Cafe, a new hangout at the Sandia Peak Tramway. It's a great opportunity to network with fellow communications professionals while enjoying one of New Mexico's most spectacular settings.
I hope you'll take advantage of these opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate the great work happening across our profession.
April Hale
President, NMPRSA
Individual Cumbre Awards Nominations Now Open

The Cumbre Awards are more than a trophy — they’re a celebration of creativity, strategy and results. Whether you’re an in-house team, agency, freelancer or student, this is your platform to showcase how your work is moving the needle for clients, communities and causes.
We Assembled these Resources To Help Craft Your Award Submission:
- Join a FREE webinar with the Sinuate Media team (3x best-in-show Cumbre winner) to learn how they approached the awards process by moving beyond simply reporting results.
- Wednesday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom (click for details)
- Use this AI Helper tool when preparing your entry.
- Reference this template to get your nomination started.
- Direct additional questions to Cumbre Awards Co-Chair Steve Carr at [email protected] or [email protected]. Please include Cumbre Awards in the subject line of the email.
Entry Fees:
Campaign Category: Members - $70, Non-Members - $90
Tactics Category: Members - $55, Non-Members $75
Deadlines:
- Standard Deadline: Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- LATE/Final Deadline: Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Late entries will incur a $25 fee per submission.
Calendar of Events

Mix & Mingle: Gathering with a View!
Thursday, June 18 | 5:30 - 7 pm
The Homestead Cafe | Register Today!
Join NMPRSA for an unforgettable Mix & Mingle at The Homestead Café, nestled at the iconic Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque. Connect with fellow PR, communications, marketing and media professionals in a fun, relaxed setting with breathtaking views and even better conversation.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just beginning your career, this gathering is a chance to celebrate the momentum and milestones shaping public relations in New Mexico while recognizing the "peak" moments that define our profession.
PRSA News and Events
The following PRSA webinars and courses are designed to provide practical insights, enhance skills, and foster industry connections throughout the year. Most are free to members.
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June 16 at 1 p.m. – Strategic High-Stakes Communication in the Age of AI
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June 17 at 1 p.m. - Rethinking Crisis Communications in a Social-First World
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June 17 at 3 p.m. – Rewriting the Narrative: LGBTQ+ Content Creators and the Power of Representation
- June 22 at 11 a.m. - Join 2026 PRSA Chair Heide Harrell, MA, APR for a special Member Mondays conversation focused on everything APR. From the value of Accreditation in today’s communications landscape to tips for getting started.
- June 23 at 2 p.m. – What's New in AP Style