Member PRofile: Shaloni Prine

What is your title and company name?
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
UCF College of Sciences

Give a brief explanation of your job.
As a member of the UCF Alumni Association staff, I oversee the development and execution of alumni relations programs that are designed to cultivate relationships with the College of Sciences’ 46,000 alumni. Specifically, I am responsible for volunteer and event management, board development and alumni engagement.

How long have you been a part of FPRA? Why did you join?
In 2006, I joined FPRA as a student member while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in advertising-public relations at the University of Central Florida. Through my involvement with Quotes, I was fortunate to expand my professional network and learn best practices in PR. This still holds true today and that’s why I continue to be a member.

What was your favorite FPRA event?
Image Awards, because it’s a great opportunity to celebrate all of the talented PR professionals that work in Central Florida.

Tell us about an exciting achievement (personal or professional).
The completion of my master’s degree, which I earned in May! I somehow managed to juggle my full-time job with school all while learning how to be a new mom. It’s been one of the hardest things I have ever done but was completely worth every exhausting minute.

Tell us something people may not know about you.
My dog was the flower girl in my wedding

Contact info:
shaloni.prine@ucf.edu

Chapter Rewind: Image Awards 2014

By: Vianka McConville
VP of Image Awards

FPRA’s Image Awards is a night of celebration for all PR professionals – a night to pat each other on the back for a job well done in the previous year and enjoy a cocktail or two with friends and colleagues.

This year’s Image Awards did not disappoint as FPRA members and professionals in the field convened at the Mezz in downtown for good food and an entertaining program. The night’s emcee, Central Florida News 13’s Marla Weech, began the awards ceremony by making the crowd laugh and kept the program rolling. She also shared what we have all been waiting for … to get the news assignment editors to read a release, send it to newsdesk@mynews13.com!

Here are photo highlights of the evening:

We raised the bar during networking and cocktails as guests got into the Roaring 20s theme with props for fun photos.

Guests enjoyed a buffet of food for dinner and dessert.

This year’s PR Professional of the Year, the University of Central Florida Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, Grant Heston, gave a touching and funny speech in accepting the honor. He successfully wooed the crowd as a rock star worthy of his venerated rock group, U2.

Marla Weech skipped an evening behind the news desk to host our awards ceremony and we truly appreciate that she did. 

Congratulations to the night’s big winners, Curley & Pynn and Florida Hospital Best in Care Team! Curley & Pynn received the Grand All Image Award and Grand Image Award in Division B. The Florida Hospital Best in Care Team won the Grand Image Award in Division C.   

Click here for the full list of winners or here for more photos of the evening.

We look forward to having you join us for the 2015 Image Awards. Until then, remember to submit your entries for the 2014 Golden Image Awards for statewide recognition. Entries are due May 16. Further information can be found here.

Image Awards Sponsor Spotlight: KUA

Kissimmee Utility Authority is a proud sponsor of this month’s FPRA Image Awards gala in Orlando. The utility is no stranger to the Image Awards competition, having won more than 120 Image Awards and Golden Image Awards over the past two decades. In 1998, KUA brought home the state’s top PR prize—the Dick Pope All Florida Image Award—for its daily electronic employee newsletter, the KUA Morning Minute.

KUA not only leads in the public relations profession but in all areas of business, having earned the state’s second best utility safety record in 2013, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission’s William C. Schwartz Industry Innovation Award, Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year Award, four time recipient of the American Public Power Association’s Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) reliability award.

Awards also include Florida Municipal Electric Association’s Community Service Award, Orlando Business Journal’s Best Places to Work Award, Florida Hospital’s Healthy 100 Workplace Wellness Award, American Heart Association’s Gold Level Fit-Friendly Award, and a Top 25 winner in the Orlando Sentinel’s Top 100 Companies for Working Families program.

This recognition anchors our belief that employees perform at their best and are happy to do so when provided with great tools and a positive, encouraging environment. These awards are a reflection of our commitment to our employees, and ultimately the 64,000 customers we serve in Osceola County.

Congratulations to all this year’s FPRA Image Awards recipients!

President’s Message: 3 Ways to Get Involved

Getting involved is the best way to take advantage of your FPRA membership. Here are three ways you can get active and #ThinkFPRA:

1. Submit an entry to Image Awards by Feb. 28. Do you want to impress your boss by receiving recognition for your excellent PR work? Then take the time to submit for Image. See tips on putting together a winning entry here.
2. Join our scholarship committee. For years, FPRA has raised money for student scholarships. I recently represented FPRA at a luncheon hosted by UCF recognizing donors, where I spoke with student winners and learned the true impact of our scholarships. We’re in the process of planning our next fundraiser – can you help? If so, contact me.
3. Share your expertise with students. Our student chapter at UCF, Quotes, is looking for speakers. Learn how you can give back to the profession and become a guest speaker.

Regards,
Cynthia Lambert, APR  |  FPRA Orlando Area Chapter President
Contact me anytime! 407-481-5672 x320  |  clambert@metroplanorlando.com

Quotes Corner: Student Chapter Unveils Spring 2014 Goals

By: Fernando Agudelo, Quotes President

 

As the new year begins to unfold, the Quotes executive board is gearing up to develop new goals while reviewing our successes from the past semester. In the fall of 2013, Quotes experienced its best membership in its 32-year history. Membership base increased by 35 percent compared to the previous academic year. Today, we have more than $2,000 in revenue (a lot for a student organization) and serve more than 50 members.

While these numbers are one measure of our success, they are not what make Quotes truly successful, at least not by my definition. It’s the professional relationships between local practitioners and students that make a difference. We’re hoping to build on this and the successes of last year in order to keep growing as a unique community of students dedicated to the profession. I’m ecstatic about the possibilities the future holds for Quotes during the upcoming semester and will make sure we accomplish the following goals:

• End-of-the-year trip. There is no better way to finish off the semester than by going on a trip to a different city. During the week after classes and before the summer semester starts, Quotes plans to take students to Chicago to tour PR agencies and network with local practitioners as well as Nicholson School of Communication alumni working there. This trip will also give students an idea of what life is like in another city.
• Golden Image Awards. Historically, student participation has been relatively low, but in our mission to strengthen our relationship with our parent chapter, we’re pushing student participation in all FPRA-related events and activities, the Image Awards being one of them. After reviewing the application, we can’t imagine why a student wouldn’t submit a piece. Since submissions may include printed material or campaigns assigned for a course or completed outside the classroom, picking a piece to submit is simple. It’s up to us now to promote and drive participation.
• Student certification. The Universal Accreditation Board recently announced that the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations is now ready for introduction. This certificate is designed to give graduating seniors majoring in public relations or in a similar field a head start toward earning their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). The Certificate in Principles of Public Relations will provide a national benchmark designation in PR for entry-level professionals and serve as a differentiator for new professionals entering the work force. Quotes plans to organize a graduating class and study group, mentored by a Nicholson School of Communication staff member.
• Surveys. At every FPRA event, there’s a satisfaction survey to be filled out by attendees. Our goal is to imitate this practice to continuously monitor our progress and improve member satisfaction with our programs and events by using survey results for future planning.
• Agency tours. Last spring, for the very first time, Quotes offered its members the opportunity to visit several PR agencies in Downtown Orlando. Ten enthusiastic students and four supportive agencies made the agency tour a huge success. Quotes received such positive feedback from both students and agencies that we decided to make agency tours a tradition. From now on, members will have the opportunity to learn what it’s like to work at an agency while they hear from professionals describing their work, client relationships, management styles and more. This past semester we had 15 students and six agencies participate. “It served as a way to get to know the other members and learn about the opportunities that can be found locally,” said a participating member. Since both have been so successful, Quotes plans to not limit the agency tours to one per semester — we’re going to aim for three.

As you can see, achieving our goals will be quite a journey, but one that I look forward to. If you’d like to support our team along the way, email me directly at quotespresident@gmail.com to learn how you can help.

Click here to see a 15-second 2013 recap video that Quotes produced.

Member PRofile: Kayla Torpey

What is your title and company name?
Communications Specialist, Kissimmee Utility Authority

Give a brief explanation of your job.
As part of a two-person team at KUA, I share responsibility for internal and external corporate communications, including marketing and advertising, media and public relations, employee communications, special events and corporate philanthropy. I also serve as the back-up spokesperson for the utility. KUA is Florida’s sixth largest municipally-owned electric utility company.

How many years have you been a part of FPRA? Why did you join?
2 years – I joined FPRA to expand my professional network, as well as develop my personal and professional skills within the public relations field. In 2012, I served on the committee for the Image Awards gala. Being involved has helped me make some great friends along the way!

What was your favorite FPRA event?
The 75th Annual Conference in St. Petersburg was definitely my favorite FPRA event thus far. I really enjoyed the networking, keynote speakers, breakout sessions, Golden Image Awards and getting to know my fellow FPRA Orlando Area Chapter members a little better. This event confirmed my love for public relations and why I chose to pursue a career in this field.

Tell us about an exciting achievement (personal or professional).
My most exciting achievement is being the first in my family to graduate from college. Go Knights!

Tell us something people may not know about you.
I was an exchange student in Germany in the summer of 2005. It was an unforgettable experience!

Contact Info:
407-933-9838
ktorpey@kua.com
@ktorpey

Orlando Members Shine at State Conference

Several members from our chapter were honored for leadership and excellent public relations programs at the state conference this month. Thank you for making your chapter proud!

State Board Executive Committee Installed

Three Orlando Area Chapter members were officially installed as members of the state board’s executive committee. Chris Gent, APR, CPRC will lead the state association this coming year as President. Amanda Forbes Mestdagh, APR will serve as VP of Technology and Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC will serve as Counselor’s Network Chair.

Awards for Service to FPRA

Congratulations to Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC, the winner of the Past President’s Award, which recognizes a senior member who has served the association time and time again. This special award recognizes a member who has achieved success in the field of public relations, but who has not forgotten FPRA.

Congratulations to Kerry Martin, APR for being honored as a member of the Rising Leader Class of 2013! Members of this class are up-and-coming FPRA members who have demonstrated emerging leadership traits along with dedicated active involvement in FPRA chapter activities and participation in programs, functions and events.

Congratulations to Cynthia Lambert, APR, the winner of the 2012-2013 Doris Fleischman Unsung Heroes Award! This award is intended to recognize an individual who consistently provides support and assistance to FPRA. It is meant to honor a member for his/her “behind the scenes” work and FPRA volunteer efforts that go unnoticed by chapter members and are not recognized by other awards programs.

Golden Image Awards

Congratulations to all the folks below who won big at Image Awards! View photos from the gala here. Click this link to view the complete list of winners by category.

UCF News & Information
Zenaida Kotala
Category A: Public Relations Programs; Division 9: Special Events
Golden Image Award & Judges’ Award
UCF’s Asteroid Encounter

Fry Hammond Barr
Allison Pope-Shutts
Christina Morton, APR
Category A: Public Relations Programs; Division 9: Special Events
Award of Distinction
Nemours Children’s Hospital Dedication Ceremony

MetroPlan Orlando
Cynthia Lambert, APR
Mary Ann Horne
Division B: Printed Tools of PR; Category 1: Annual Report
Grand All Golden Image Award, Golden Image Award, and Judges’ Award
What’s Next?: MetroPlan Orlando 2012 Annual Report

Curley & Pynn
Division B: Printed Tools of PR; Category 3: Magazine
Golden Image
Florida High Tech Corridor Council – florida.HIGH.TECH 2012

UCF News & Information
Zenaida Kotala
Division B: Printed Tools of PR; Category 6: News Release
Award of Distinction & Judges’ Award
Milky Way Cupcakes: A Savior for NASA’s Non-Manned Missions?

Florida Hospital Best in Care Team
Florida Hospital Experience Network
Division B: Printed Tools of PR; Category 6: News Release
Judges’ Award
100 Seizures a Day: Surgery Saves Boy’s Life

Curley & Pynn
Division C: Audio/Visual/Online Tools of PR; Category 4: Online Newsletter
Award of Distinction & Judges’ Award
Visit South Walton – South Walton “What’s New” eNewsletter

Florida Hospital Best in Care Team
Florida Hospital Experience Network
Division C: Audio/Visual/Online Tools of PR; Category 6: Video –Public Service/More than one minute
Judges’ Award
Epilepsy Explained: Finding the Right Treatment

2011 Image Awards – Don’t Wait Until Spring to Spring into Action!

The 2011 FPRA Image Awards are coming in April!

While the deadline for entries is not until March, the call for entries will be available in early January. Why not get started now? Begin thinking about your projects and planning your submissions today, so you can blow us away and get recognized for your hard work come April.

Not sure what to submit but still want to get involved? Then join the 2011 Image Awards Committee. Committee members play a vital role in the success of the Image Awards, contributing to areas such as event logistics, theme development, sponsorships, promotion and overall execution.

Serving on the committee will give you great experience for your resume and allow you to network with some of the most respected PR professionals in Central Florida. It is an excellent way to get the most out of your FPRA membership!

The next Image Awards Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. at Engauge (904 N. Orange Ave., Orlando). If you want to attend, please e-mail Image co-chairs Amy (Bunn) Hanigosky at AHanigosky@engauge.com, or Kendall Litton Jensen at LittonJensenK@seminolestate.edu.

Please also e-mail the event co-chairs if you have any questions or if you are interested in sponsoring the 2011 Image Awards.