PRSA – Northwest Ohio Chapter, Press Club Toledo, and AAF Toledo are partnering to host a Meet the Press panel discussion with local media talent. This event will provide attendees with valuable insights on how to best pitch stories and connect with local journalists. The discussion will feature prominent local media professionals who will share their expertise on what makes a compelling story and the best practices for building relationships with journalists. The event will be hosted by Communica on Thursday, April 17, starting at Noon.
Networking will begin at 11:30 AM, giving attendees the chance to connect with other professionals in PR, sales, marketing, and media before the panel discussion begins. This event is ideal for public relations professionals, marketers, business owners, and anyone interested in learning how to effectively engage with local media.
The Press Club of Toledo offers the Kurt G. Franck and Bernard F. Judy Scholarships, awarded annually to a student from the University of Toledo and a student from Bowling Green State University who epitomize the service and dedication to the profession of journalism.
Kurt Franck was a long-time executive at The Blade, where he began his tenure as managing editor in 2000. He later served as executive editor, general manager and vice president of newspaper operations for Block Communications Inc. before he passed away 2024. Kurt Franck was a former board member and strong supporter of the Press Club of Toledo.
Bernard Judy was a career journalist at The Blade. He began his career in 1948 and served in many positions including general assignment reporting, editorial writing, associate editor, editorial director, editor and finally editor-in-chief before retiring in 1989. Bernard Judy also was a board member and founder of the Press Club of Toledo.
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS
From Northwest Ohio or Southeast Michigan
A journalism, communications or related major
Involved as journalist with campus media and/or local professional journalism organizations
Desire to focus your career in journalism
Please complete this application form by the deadline of 5 p.m. Sunday, May 11, 2025 to be considered for the 2025 scholarship award.
Two $500 scholarships will be awarded. The $500 Kurt G. Franck Scholarship will recognize a UToledo student journalist, and the $500 Bernard F. Judy Scholarship will recognize a BGSU student journalist.
The 2025 scholarship recipients will be recognized in person at the Touchstone Awards on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at the Valentine Theatre.
Contact Scholarship Committee Chair Nicki Gorny at nicole.gorny@utoledo.edu with any questions.
The Press Club of Toledo and Communica are hosting a members-only event to help communications professionals connect: Speed Networking. We want to give our members the opportunity to spend time with leaders in their field, whether they are looking for contract work or to find a full-time position in the communications field.
The event will be held on Thursday, January 23rd, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Communica (31 N. Erie St., Toledo). Appetizers and drinks will be available, along with the chance to mingle with other participants. The actual roundtable speed networking aspect of the event will begin at 6 p.m. For those who have never attended such an event, it is an opportunity to meet with many different professionals through timed interactions so that you can meet everyone in the room. Make sure to bring business cards and/or resumes.
If you are not yet a member, you can pay the membership fee before the event or the night of. Annual membership fees are as follows:
Student Membership: $10 – For current students in any discipline.
Retired Membership: $10 – For retired media professionals.
First Year Membership: $25 – For brand new members.
Professional Membership: $40 – Active member who is an employee or contract worker for a newspaper, radio station, television station or news magazine and involved in the direction of or gathering, dissemination, solicitation or photographing of news or other material for publication or broadcast. Also includes those whose principal occupation is in the field of public relations,
promotion, advertising or communication materials.
Associate Membership: $90 – Persons not eligible for active membership but are considered news sources or news makers. It’s an opportunity for professionals who are not in the communications field to join.
Corporate Membership: $500 – If your business pays for a corporate membership, all employees and freelancers who work for that business receive membership benefits, like access to this event!
For questions about membership or the event, reach out at info@toledopressclub.com.
You’re Invited to the Toledo Press Club Holiday Mixer!
Date: Wednesday, December 4 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Mancy’s Steakhouse
Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of good company, festive cheer, and great food! Enjoy complimentary appetizers while mingling with fellow media and communications professionals. A cash bar will keep the holiday spirits flowing.
Let’s celebrate the season together at one of Toledo’s iconic spots. Don’t miss out—mark your calendar and spread the word!
The Press Club of Toledo and the Northwest Ohio Chapter of PRSA are proud to present I’ll Not Be Silent: Discussing the Complexities of the Sexual Harassment Crisis, a timely panel discussion of an issue which is resounding throughout the media and PR industries. The event will be held on Friday, January 19, from 7:30 AM – 9 AM at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. The public is invited to attend. For more information, check out the event page on Facebook.
You’re Invited to the Toledo Press Club Holiday Mixer! 
Date: Wednesday, December 4
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Mancy’s Steakhouse
