Fully aware of its predicament, the Nevada Chapter of PRSA held its first meeting at Bingo Palace (now Palace Station) in April 1985. By the end of the year, the chapter had 15 members in southern Nevada and five in Reno. That same year, as membership interest increased, two separate chapters were formed: Desert Sands Chapter in southern Nevada and the Sierra Chapter in Reno. The Desert Sands Chapter changed its name in 1998 to the Las Vegas Valley Chapter and by 2000, the local organization boasted more than 100 members for the fist time, making it one of the fastest growing chapters in the country.

Today, the Las Vegas Valley Chapter provides a variety of benefits beyond monthly luncheon seminars with guest speakers. Other activities include professional development workshops, continuing education certification, a regional awards competition called the Pinnacle Awards - honoring the best public relations strategies and tactics - a job bank and membership mixers.

One of the most important figures associated with the local PRSA Chapter has been Roger Buehrer, APR, Fellow PRSA. From its inception, Buehrer has been involved in sustainability and growth of the chapter, from membership to programs. In 2000, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to honor Buehrer with a lifetime achievement award for his commitment to the local organization and public relations profession. Today, the award is named after Buehrer and is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession over an extended period of time. Other central figures in the chapter's history include Larry White, APR; Margaret Purdue, APR; and Vicki Taylor, APR, ABC.

The Las Vegas Valley Chapter is committed to developing the profession throughout southern Nevada and educating individuals about the benefits of public relations. Nearly 25 percent of the members have achieved accreditation status, making the local chapter one of the leaders in the country for supporting and emphasizing this important step in personal professionalism. The Las Vegas Valley Chapter works closely with the student chapter of PRSA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in southern Nevada and provides the student chapter president an honorary seat on its board of directors.

In April 2005 the chapter hosted, for the second time in its history, the PRSA Western District Conference (WDC). The program drew more than 120 public relations practitioners to Las Vegas for an all-day conference at the Stardust Resort & Casino. The 2005 WDC proved to be the most successful in Western District history.

Chapter Presidents

	2011-elect	Sarah Thornton
	2010	Amy Bouchard Brooks
	2009	Diane Lancaster Gibes
	2007	Lori Bachand, APR
	2007	Nancy Syzdek, APR
	2006	Tom Bradley Jr.
	2005	Pete Codella, APR
	2004	Kirsten Cannon, APR
	2003	Earnest Phillips, APR
	2002	Detra Page, APR
	2001	Lori Nelson, APR
	2000	Susie Black
	1999	Mike Ballard, APR
	1998	Vince Alberta, APR
	1997	Lisa Story, APR
	1996	Kayla S. Arnesen, APR
	1995	Colleen Curran
	1994	Lynn M. Purdue
	1993	Joanne M. Jensen
	1992	Heather A. McCombs
	1991	Dante C. Pistone
	1990	Larry D. White, APR
	1989	Rick Dale
	1988	Roger D. Buehrer, APR
	1987	Michelle Harris
	1986	Roger D. Buehrer, APR
	1985	Roger D. Buehrer, APR
	1984	Evelyn Cook
	1983	Chapter not active
	1982	Chapter not active
	1981	Chapter not active
	1980	Richard Peterson
	1979	David A. Cooper, APR
	1978	David A. Cooper, APR
	1977	Dee Bower
	1976	Janice R. Ayres
	1975	Chartered