Chapter Awards

The FPRA Ocala Chapter bestows and receives recognition for excellence in advancing the profession of public relations.

Mid-Florida Local Image Awards – The FPRA Ocala Chapter holds a local Image Awards competition annually. Chapter leaders organize and conduct workshops to assist members and guests with preparing the best possible entries. The entries are submitted to another partnering chapter for judging. The process culminates with a gala celebration revealing the winners and bestowing the awards. This process is excellent preparation for the state association’s Golden Image Awards competition as results are received in time to improve entries to compete at the state level.

Wilton F. Martin, Sr. Communicators of the Year – Established in 2005 and renamed in 2011, the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year awards recognize individuals and institutions who have demonstrated excellence in strategic communications to improve the quality of life in Marion County.

Candidates do not have to be members of FPRA, but must exemplify the highest professional standards in the communications field. Candidates may include journalists, educators, community/civic leaders and professionals from allied fields, including advertising and marketing.

Awards are made in individual and institution categories. The Individual Communicator of the Year recognizes the person who uses his/her position to enhance Marion County’s community causes, advance the field of public relations and uphold the ethical standards representing the Ocala Chapter.

The institutional recognition honors the institution/media outlet that has gone above and beyond to provide timely, accurate and critical information to the community, and has demonstrated mastery of communications skills and strategies. The later recognition could be awarded based on year-round consistent effort or a singular outstanding example of communication during an emergency, or both.

Past Recipients:

PACEsetter Award – The FPRA Ocala Chapter theme for 2004-2005 was Set the PACE (Professional and Career Enhancement). The theme was intended to encourage members to invest in their own career development by stronger participation in chapter activities. The same year, an honor was developed to recognized the member who had gone above and beyond their member duties to strengthen the chapter. The chapter president has the authority to choose the recipient or decide whether or not a member rises to the occasion for the honor to be bestowed that year.

Past Recipients:

FPRA Ocala Chapter Recognition

Each year at FPRA Annual Conference, The Association president bestows chapter and individual awards. The FPRA Ocala Chapter and individual members have received the following accolades in recent years: