PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter extends nomination deadline for 2026 Awards, introduces Tom L. Preston Lifetime Achievement Award

Community invited to recognize outstanding communications professionals, emerging leaders and students across Central and Eastern Kentucky

 

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Dan Koett | 859.797.3646 | dkoett@framingyournarrative.com

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 19, 2026 — The Public Relations Society of America Thoroughbred Chapter is giving the community more time to recognize the professionals, emerging leaders and students whose work is making an impact across Central and Eastern Kentucky, extending nominations for its 2026 Thoroughbred Chapter Awards through Monday, Aug. 31, at 11 p.m. ET.

 

The annual awards celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership and impact throughout the public relations and communications profession. Nominations are open in six categories representing individuals at virtually every stage of their careers, from college students and rising professionals to some of the region’s most accomplished communications leaders.

 

“Great communications work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact can be felt throughout an organization and an entire community,” said Marc C. Whitt, president of the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter. “These awards give us an opportunity to bring that work into the spotlight and recognize the people behind it, the professionals who help organizations navigate difficult moments, build trust, tell meaningful stories and strengthen the communities they serve. We know there are extraordinary communicators throughout our region, and we want to hear their stories.”

 

New Tom L. Preston Lifetime Achievement Award Honors Kentucky PR Pioneer

New for 2026, the chapter has established the Tom L. Preston Lifetime Achievement Award, the first named honor in the Thoroughbred Chapter’s history.

 

Named for one of the chapter’s founding members and one of Kentucky’s most distinguished communications professionals, the award recognizes a practitioner with at least 25 years in the profession whose career reflects extraordinary impact, integrity, leadership and a lasting commitment to excellence.

 

Preston, founder and CEO of Preston Global, has built a career distinguished by strategic communications leadership, ethical practice and service while influencing generations of communications professionals throughout Kentucky and beyond.

 

“Tom Preston represents so much of what we aspire to be as communications professionals,” Whitt said. “His career has demonstrated that exceptional public relations is about far more than communicating effectively. It is about integrity, relationships, leadership, service and using our profession to make a meaningful difference. Naming our Lifetime Achievement Award in Tom’s honor ensures that his example will continue inspiring communicators for generations to come.”

 

Six Awards Recognize Excellence at Every Career Stage

One individual will be recognized in each of six categories:

• Tom L. Preston Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognizing a practitioner with at least 25 years in the profession whose career demonstrates extraordinary impact, integrity and leadership.

• Communicator of the Year Award – Honoring someone outside the public relations profession who demonstrated outstanding communication during the past year.

• Career Achievement Award – Recognizing an accomplished current or recent PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter member with more than 15 years of experience and a demonstrated commitment to excellence.

• Communications Impact Award – Honoring an outstanding mid-career professional with five to 15 years of public relations or communications experience.

• Rising Star Award – Recognizing an emerging professional with two to five years of experience in public relations or communications.

• Outstanding Student Award – Honoring a college student currently gaining experience in public relations or communications through internships, PRSSA or other professional opportunities.

 

Anyone may submit a nomination, and self-nominations are encouraged. PRSA membership is not required for nominees except in the Career Achievement Award category.

 

“We intentionally created categories that allow us to celebrate the full spectrum of our profession,” Whitt said. “Someone doesn’t need to have spent 30 years in communications to be making an extraordinary impact. There are students finding their voices, young professionals already doing remarkable work, mid-career practitioners leading organizations through enormous challenges and veteran professionals whose careers have shaped our profession. Every one of those stories deserves to be told.”

 

Nominees will be evaluated on recent work, achievements, challenges they have overcome and the overall impact of their communications efforts. Supporting materials including work samples, press coverage, planning documents, photographs and video may also accompany nominations.

 

Entries will be judged by past presidents and current board members of the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter using a scoring rubric, with the highest-scoring nominee in each category recommended to the chapter board for recognition.

 

Awards Ceremony Set for Sept. 24

The 2026 Thoroughbred Chapter Awards will be presented Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at Carson’s at Andover, 3450 Todds Road, Suite 100, in Lexington.

 

The entry fee is $35 for PRSA members, $45 for non-members and $25 for PRSSA members. Nominations must be submitted by 11 p.m. ET Monday, Aug. 31.

 

Complete award criteria and the online nomination form are available here. 

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About PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter

The PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter serves public relations professionals in the Lexington area, offering opportunities for networking, professional development and advocacy. The chapter is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, promoting ethical practices and enhancing the value of public relations.