FPRA Conference Brochure Available

Check out this year’s fantastic speaker line-up for the Florida Public Relations Association’s 72nd Annual Conference! Expect to be enlightened, surprised and inspired during the conference, which will be held August 8-11, 2010 at the Naples Grand Beach Resort.

This year’s event will shine a spotlight on The Big Picture: Bringing PR Leadership and Strategy into Focus!

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Today’s thought leaders will share ideas and trends from a variety in industry angles. Below are just a few to expect:

• Embracing the new PR and social communications for business
• Reinventing the PR role
• Becoming more valuable in the eyes of your organization’s decision makers
• Learning how to become the most trusted and essential team member to your CEO
• Avoiding legal pitfalls and wisely using technology to market your group and protect internal data
• Tips for making sure that your personal choices positively influence your professional success

On a budget? Read our earlier post, Annual Conference on a Budget?, for some ways to experience The Big Picture on a budget.

May 27 Event: Helping Your Company and Clients Get More Traffic From Google

Ensuring appropriate representation in search engines has become vital to a comprehensive PR strategy.  In fact, according to eMarketer.com, by 2013 total U.S. search marketing will reach nearly $23.4 billion and marketers will spend more on search engine optimization (SEO) than on contextual advertising. 

Join the Orlando Area Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and WebSolvers’ Matt Certo to learn how you can put SEO to work for your company during the May 27 breakfast meeting, “Helping Your Company & Clients Get More Traffic from Google.”

You will learn the ins and outs of SEO as well as straight-forward, practical steps that every PR practitioner can implement in order to improve your Web site’s Google rankings and simple methodology that you can apply to your company or client’s situation.

Matt Certo is co-founder and CEO of WebSolvers, an interactive marketing firm whose clients include The Tavistock Group, Baker Barrios, RDV Sportsplex, WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA and Isleworth.  The company’s areas of focus include Web design, search engine marketing and social media consulting.  

The event will be held at the University Club, 150 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, Fla.  Registration and buffet breakfast begin at 8 a.m. and the presentation begins at 8:30 a.m.  Prices are $15 members, $20 non-members and $10 students.

To register, visit www.fpra-orlando.org.

FPRA-OAC 2010-2011 Board of Directors

Florida Public Relations Association – Orlando Area Chapter
2010-2011 Board of Directors

President
Wendy Jo Moyer, APR
WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA

President–Elect
Amanda Forbes, APR
Fry Hammond Barr

Immediate Past President
Mandy Taylor, APR
Jennifer Thompson for District 4 County Commission Campaign

Secretary
Kelly King, APR
Fulcrum Business Solutions

Treasurer
Tami Karaba
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

Assistant Treasurer
Rachael Gmerek
Kissimmee Utility Authority

Vice President of Membership
Allie Stevens
Fry Hammond Barr

Assistant Vice President of Membership
Lenora Spence
METROPLAN ORLANDO

Vice President Accreditation
Stefanie Macfarlane, APR
Freelance Marketing & PR

Vice Presidents of Professional Development

Vanessa Bouffard
Orange County Animal Services

Vice Presidents of Roast & Toast
Jed Dunstan
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Shaloni Prine
University of Central Florida

Vice Presidents of Image Awards
Amy Bunn
engauge

Kendall Litton Jenson
Seminole State College of Florida

Vice President of Media Relations
Ryan Dumas
UCP of Central Florida

Vice President of Publications
Suzi Albrecht
Albrecht Communications

Vice President of Technology & Online Communications
Chris Gent
Kissimmee Utility Authority

Vice President of Outreach (Roundtables)
Cynthia Lambert, APR
METROPLAN ORLANDO

Communiqué Advisor
Robin Cusimano
Rollins College

Quotes Advisor
Ryan Sheehy
University of Central Florida

June Backstage Pass Event: June 18

Florida Public Relations Association – Orlando Area Chapter Backstage Pass
Creating High-Impact and Low-Cost Printed Materials for a PR Campaign

Printing is often a critical component of multimedia public relations campaigns, but managing print production can present many challenges such as making sure you are using a highly skilled printer, choosing the proper paper and finishing methods, coming up with creative design ideas and utilizing the most cost-effective processes.

Save the date, Friday, June 18 to attend the Orlando-Area Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association’s Backstage Pass at designers’ press, inc. for first-hand knowledge on printing for public relations practitioners.  During this presentation and tour you will learn:

• How to select a printer to ensure you receive a high-quality product and one that is committed to the environment;
• The four-color printing process, including why making that last-minute change is such a big deal;
• Options such as paper, aqueous, cutting, binding and other finishing methods to make your project unique;
• Tips for saving your company money.

designer’s press, inc. (www.designerspressinc.com) is one of the largest privately held print companies in Orlando.  Over the past two decades, it has served a growing number of local and international clients across attractions, business, technology, utilities, health systems, associations and design firms.  It is Triple Certified with The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), The Sustainable Forestry initiative (SFI) and The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC).

Times:
11:30 – noon – Registration
Noon – 12:30 – Lunch and Printing Introduction
12:30 – 1:30 – Tour

Location:
designers’ press
6305 Chancellor Drive
Orlando, FL 32809

Cost:
$15 members, $20 nonmembers, $10 students

Since this event is on a Friday, casual dress is welcome.

2010 Image Awards

Congratulations to the winners at the 2010 FPRA-OAC Image Awards gala. This year we saw a variety of campaigns, print materials and use of social media. It just proves that hard work and determination can pay off!  The next step is to get those binders ready for the Golden Image Awards. The deadline to submit your entry is Friday, May 21, 2010. You can download the call for entries on the state’s website at www.fpra.org.

If you’re a 2010 FPRA Image award recipient and you’re interested in ordering an extra plaque, certificate or pyramid, please contact Jennifer Gammage at 407-833-7635 or jgammage@cancercarecenter.md. The deadline to place your order is Friday, May 21, 2010 by 4:00 PM. Forms may be mailed, faxed or emailed prior to the deadline.

Click on this link to access the re-order form: 2010 FPRA-OAC Image Awards Reorder Form

Click here to download the winners’ list: 2010 FPRA-OAC Image Awards winners’ list (PDF)

Click here to view photos from the 2010 FPRA-OAC Image Awards gala on Flickr

SPONSORED POST: Bright House Networks Salutes the 2010 FPRA Orlando Chapter Image Award Winners

This post is a sponsored post from Bright House Networks.

It was a star-studded night at the Orlando Museum of Art on Thursday, April 22, but those being honored at the museum were not traditional artists with paintings or other works of art on display in the gallery. Instead, it was the art of communications that was celebrated—and elevated—through the 2010 FPRA Orlando Chapter Image Awards. The awards that were presented to the winners were based on public relations and public affairs achievements made possible by the same kind of discipline, determination and talent that drives artists to create something that moves and challenges people to think, and to act. With the Image Awards, success is measured from the perspective of the intended audience, much the same way a great work of art aims to move those who view it. Congratulations to all those who received awards—you have achieved greatness in two ways: First, through the success of the project itself, and second, by setting an example or showing a way so other PR professionals can do the same.

As the platinum sponsor, Bright House Networks was able to bring a special resource into play to enhance the evening’s experience. The company’s Business Solutions Department set up a Wi-Fi hotspot in the museum to allow attendees to do what PR professionals do best—stay in touch constantly through the Internet by using all the best of the new media. There was a whole lot of tweeting going on during the event, and awards were being Facebooked and shared in many other electronic ways during the evening. By the time the ceremony was over, those who received awards and recognition had already shared the glory with colleagues, family and friends.  At Bright House Networks we’re already looking forward to the 2011 FPRA Image Awards, knowing that the Orlando Chapter is not just the largest in the state, it’s also one of the most vibrant when it comes to creativity and talent.

Brian Craven, Director-Public Affairs & Communications, Bright House Networks Central Florida Division
FPRA Orlando Chapter and Awards Committee member

The preceding was a sponsored post.

Member Spotlight: Chris Gent

Chris Gent, a 23-year public relations industry veteran, was recently named the 2010 Central Florida Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Orlando chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Chris is vice president of corporate communications for Kissimmee Utility Authority, and serves as FPRA’s statewide vice president of technology. Chris will be honored at the Image Awards ceremony tonight.

Here, Chris discusses how great communicators succeed and why PR professionals should never stop learning.

Best advice to PR professionals:
“Continue to learn. Even though most of us have graduated from college, our diplomas shouldn’t mark the end of our education. In fact, the best PR professionals I know are the ones who continue to learn each and every day. I recommend educating yourself on things that will make your organization shine and raise your value as a professional. Spend some time perfecting your writing so you can better tell your organization’s story. Set up a blog so you can learn how technology works. Learn how to shoot, edit and create a video to inform or inspire others. Find a mentor to help grow your career. Go back to school and get an advanced degree to upgrade your skills and credentials. Join a professional association like FPRA or Public Relations Society of America to network with other communicators. Seek professional accreditation to demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional development.”

Best PR decision I’ve made:
“I’d like to think I’ve made a few good PR decisions over the years. One was accepting a position at Kissimmee Utility Authority back in 1993. That decision has led to a great career so far. When I speak to student groups I always encourage them not to overlook lesser-known companies when seeking employment. Everyone dreams of landing a PR job with the Disneys, JetBlues and Googles of the world, but in reality there are thousands of smaller, lesser-known companies and PR agencies that offer amazing opportunities for advancement and growth.”

A PR mistake I’ve learned from:
“I’ve learned to listen to both sides of a story before reaching a conclusion or opinion. There’s a saying that God made us with two ears and one mouth for a reason. We should listen twice as much as we talk, because listening is twice as hard to do well. Great communicators are always great listeners, and what they say always relates back to what they heard.”

Favorite PR-related or business book:
“Applebee’s America by Ron Fournier, Douglas B. Sosnik and Matthew J. Dowd. It was required reading for a graduate school course, but it’s a fascinating look at how successful political, business and religious leaders are connecting with the new American community. The book is written by a former Clinton aide, one of the masterminds behind the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign and a senior Associated Press political correspondent. It’s a tremendous read that directly applies to our role as communicators.”

What are some publications or online resources that you read regularly?
“For the past 20 months, I’ve been a graduate student at The George Washington University earning a master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations. Most of the publications I’ve read during that time have consisted of textbooks, case studies and lectures. I do manage, however, to find time to read the statewide and local publications produced by the FPRA. I subscribe to The Economist, Florida Trend, Orlando Business Journal and PRWeek. I also follow a number of industry and PR-related blogs, including this one. I enjoy learning about the successes, challenges and failures that other business professionals face. I believe we can always learn something from their experiences.”

This post was originally published on CDe, Costa DeVault’s blog. It is re-published here with permission.