February 19, 2026

Crisis Communications in Pro Sports

Join CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau at The Bridge Public House for an inside look at one of the most high-pressure communications environments in Canada: professional sports. In today’s always-on media landscape, a crisis does not wait for approval, talking points, or a carefully timed release. In the NHL, reputations are shaped in real time, under national scrutiny, and often before the facts fully settle.
From playoff to player scandals, he Ottawa Senators operate in a communications pressure cooker where every move is analyzed, amplified, and debated across traditional media and social platforms.

On Wednesday, February 19, CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau welcomes Ian Mendes, Vice President of Communications for the Ottawa Senators, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation on crisis response in the spotlight. Ian will unpack how the Senators manage intense public scrutiny and explain why sports-style communications, fast, transparent, and disciplined, are quickly becoming the gold standard across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors.

What You’ll Learn

Drawing from decades of experience in journalism and senior communications leadership, Ian will explore how to:

• Respond effectively when issues unfold live and publicly
• Balance transparency, reputation, and organizational strategy under pressure
• Work with media when coverage is constant and uncompromising
• Apply lessons from professional sports crisis management to non-sports organizations
• Anticipate risks and prepare communications teams for high-stakes moments

This session offers practical, real-world insight for communicators working in environments where trust, credibility, and speed matter.

This Event Is Ideal For:

• Communications professionals managing reputational risk Public affairs and government communicators navigating scrutiny
• Corporate and nonprofit leaders preparing for crisis scenarios
• Students and early-career professionals looking to understand communications at scale

Come for the insight, stay for the connections. Enjoy drinks, food, and an evening of candid conversation, networking, and shared learning with Ottawa’s communications community.

October 16, 2025

Supersizing Your Communications

Join CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau at The Bridge Public House as we feature Jo-Anne Polak, a trailblazer in Canadian communications and public affairs. From breaking barriers as the first female GM of a North American professional sports team to leading Football Canada into an Olympic era, her career is a masterclass in leadership and impact.

Communications can feel straightforward when the audience is small — a single memo, a media release, one campaign.

But what happens when that same message must reach tens of thousands of employees, millions of Canadians, or withstand the glare of national media, sometimes overnight?

That’s the challenge at the heart of Supersizing Your Communications.

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau welcomes Jo-Anne Polak, one of Canada’s most accomplished communicators, to share how strategy, storytelling, and leadership evolve when communications are scaled to massive proportions.

What You’ll Learn

Through real-world stories drawn from decades in politics, agencies, and the C-suite, Jo-Anne will reveal how to:

• Adapt strategies for both local audiences and national reach
• Move from “doing it all yourself” to building systems and teams that deliver under pressure
• Use storytelling as the anchor across platforms, audiences, and crises
• Spot and avoid the common pitfalls when scaling up communications

This is not theory — it is practical, battle-tested insight you can apply whether you are:

• A student translating classroom learning into practice
• An early-career pro managing your first high-pressure campaign
• A seasoned communicator tackling complex mandates

Come for the inspiration, stay for the connections — with drinks, food, and a night of networking and laughter with your peers.

September 18, 2025

Communicating in a Hyper-connected Era

Join CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau at The Bridge Public House as we kick off the season with an event you will not want to miss.

We are honoured to welcome Diane Riddell, PhD, APR, an accomplished researcher and communications professional, who will be sharing her cutting-edge research on how technology is reshaping the lived experience of public relations practitioners—and what it means for today’s communications and PR professionals in a hyper-connected era.

Diane has held senior communications roles with the RCMP, the Department of National Defence, and Defence Research and Development Canada. She has also taught at the University of Ottawa, presented at national conferences, and is an accredited CPRS member who has contributed as an accreditation examiner and National Awards of Excellence judge. This is a rare opportunity to gain insights from a leader whose work bridges both practice and academia.

That is not all…this evening will also feature a special announcement you will not want to miss.

You will also meet the newly elected CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau Board of Directors, the dedicated team leading our chapter into an exciting new year. Come for the inspiration, stay for the connections.

Enjoy drinks, food, and a night of networking and laughter with your peers.

Do not miss this chance to reconnect, discover new opportunities, and set the tone for a successful year ahead.

March 20, 2025

Careers in Bloom - Headshot & Resume Refresher

Looking to have your career blossom this Spring? Whether you're just starting in PR or a seasoned communications pro ready for a refresh, this is your chance to polish your brand—and have some fun while at it!

Join CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau for an evening of one-on-one career conversations with experienced HR professionals who bring knowledge of the ins and outs of career advancement. In a relaxed, speed-dating-style format, you’ll get personalized feedback on your resume, plus practical tips to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.

Want to take your LinkedIn game to the next level? Professional photographer Lexine Menard will offer high-quality headshots to help you put your best face forward. (Limited headshot spots are available, so reserve yours!)

This event is must-attend for:

• Early career PR and communications pros
• Students ready to start their careers
• Experienced professionals looking to stay sharp

Everyone's welcome—CPRS members, non-members, and students alike. So come out, connect with your community, and invest in your career. Spots are limited—register today, and we’ll see you there!