Public relations professionals, corporate communicators, journalists and business leaders came together on 16th July 2026 for PR Conversations, an event organised by The Talent Factory to mark World Public Relations Day 2026.
Held at the Mauritius Gymkhana Club under the aegis of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) International, the event centred on this year’s global theme, The Golden Age of Strategic PR, exploring the growing importance of trust, strategic communication and ethical leadership in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Welcoming guests, Ravin Beenessreesingh, President of the Mauritius Gymkhana Club, said the Club was proud to host the country’s first World Public Relations Day celebration. “For generations, the Mauritius Gymkhana Club has been a place where people come together to exchange ideas, build relationships and strengthen our community. We are pleased to host PR Conversations because meaningful dialogue has always been at the heart of this Club.”
Opening the evening, Marie-Noëlle Elissac-Foy, Founder and Public Relations Strategist at The Talent Factory, explained that the initiative was born from a simple observation. “Public relations professionals spend their careers creating conversations for organisations, institutions and brands. Yet we rarely take the time to come together as a profession, challenge our own thinking and discuss the issues shaping our future. This initiative was created to give our profession a conversation of its own.” She added that the ambition was not simply to celebrate World Public Relations Day, but to encourage a stronger sense of community among communication professionals and inspire similar
initiatives in the years ahead.
A global profession facing a defining moment
Delivering the opening address, Samantha Seewoosurrun, founder of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations CIPR International Network in Mauritius, placed the evening within the broader context of a profession undergoing profound transformation. She noted that the 2026 World PR Day theme, The Golden Age of Strategic PR, reflects the growing recognition of public relations as a strategic management discipline at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping the communication landscape. She encouraged practitioners to view artificial intelligence not simply as a technological disruption, but as an opportunity to demonstrate the profession’s strategic value. “There is a tremendous opportunity for PR professionals to prove our value by turning risk into opportunity and becoming expert strategic advisers on AI. We must be ready to grasp it.”
She also reminded participants that while AI can significantly improve efficiency, it cannot replace the qualities that define effective public relations: judgement, ethical reasoning, critical thinking, contextual understanding and the ability to advise organisations through complexity.
A conversation on trust, leadership and the future of communication
Moderated by Marie-Noëlle Elissac-Foy, the panel brought together Rudy Veeramundar, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Bizweek; Gilles Martial, Manager – Media & Public Relations, Sustainability, Reputation & Engagement at MCB; and Samantha Seewoosurrun. While approaching the discussion from different professional perspectives, the panellists converged on one central idea: trust has become one of the most valuable assets an organisation can build – and one of the most difficult to maintain.
The discussion explored the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the communications landscape, from the rise of AI-generated content and new media platforms to the growing challenge of distinguishing credible information from misinformation.
Against this backdrop, the panellists argued that the role of communication professionals extends far beyond producing content. Their value increasingly lies in exercising judgement, understanding context, advising leaders and helping organisations navigate complex reputational and stakeholder challenges.
The conversation also examined the evolving relationship between journalism and public relations. Rather than viewing the two professions as opposing forces, participants emphasised their shared responsibility in protecting a credible information ecosystem at a time when anonymous digital platforms and synthetic content are challenging public confidence.
Another recurring theme was the evolution of communication itself. Once regarded primarily as a function of dissemination, communication is increasingly recognised as a strategic discipline that should inform decision-making from the outset. As organisations face greater scrutiny and increasingly complex stakeholder expectations, communication professionals have a critical role to play in anticipating reputational risks, understanding public sentiment and contributing to leadership decisions.
The discussion concluded on an optimistic note. While artificial intelligence is transforming the profession, it is also reinforcing the importance of qualities that technology cannot replicate: empathy, ethical judgement, experience, contextual understanding and the ability to build genuine relationships. Rather than diminishing the role of public relations, AI presents an opportunity for communication professionals to reaffirm their strategic value by helping organisations build and sustain trust.
More than an event
One of the strongest outcomes of the evening emerged after the panel itself. Participants repeatedly expressed the need for the profession to create more opportunities to meet, exchange ideas and contribute collectively to the conversations shaping the future of communication.
For Marie-Noëlle Elissac-Foy, this reflects a broader challenge. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a national priority, yet conversations often focus on technology and infrastructure. We also need to discuss trust, ethics, governance, misinformation and responsible communication. Public relations professionals have an important contribution to make to these debates.”
The Talent Factory hopes that PR Conversations will inspire communication professionals across Mauritius to continue building a stronger and more connected professional community, capable of contributing not only to organisational success but also to national conversations on trust, leadership and responsible communication.
