FPRA Ocala Chapter Awards Communicator of the Year, PACEsetter, and More

Media Contact:
Danielle Veenstra
VP of Communications
M: 352.817.4327
[email protected]

 

Ocala, FL (SEPT. 9, 2024) – The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Ocala Chapter held its Annual Awards Banquet and Gala on Friday, August 30, at the Appleton Museum of Art. The elegant event celebrated the achievements of communication professionals and recognized the contributions of chapter members and community leaders.

Set against the backdrop of the museum’s renowned collections, guests enjoyed a sophisticated evening featuring fine dining and desserts amid twinkling lights and exquisite art. Attendees donned glamorous attire, from glittering gowns to velvet tuxedos, enhancing the night’s ambiance.

The second half of the evening saw the installation of the 2024-2025 board of directors by former FPRA State President Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC. A significant moment was the unveiling of the Beverly Brown, APR Legacy Scholarship fund, which honors the memory of a beloved chapter member and supports future public relations professionals in the Ocala area.

Awards Recognitions:

  • FPRA Ocala Individual Communicator of the Year Award: Tammy Gantt from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owner’s Association was recognized for the work she completed for the protection and advocacy of horse farms in Marion County. Her work advanced the field of public relations and upheld ethical standards critical to the communications industry.
  • FPRA Ocala Institutional Communicator of the Year Award: 352Today received the COTY award for its ability to provide timely, accurate, and critical information to the community, while demonstrating a mastery of communication skills and strategies.
  • FPRA Ocala Chapter Outstanding Member Award: Wendy Williams from the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc., was honored for her exceptional support, mentorship, and advancement of the chapter’s goals.
  • FPRA Ocala Chapter Toni James, APR, CPRC PACEsetter of the Year Award:
    • Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC: Recognized for his dedication to lifelong learning and leadership over two decades. As a mentor and strategist, Christian’s contributions to the public relations field have earned national recognition.
    • Greg Davis: Celebrated for his transformative leadership, commitment to excellence, and ability to balance visionary leadership with genuine care for colleagues and the community.
    • Following his installation as Chapter President, Davis honored Immediate Past-President Lindsay Tozer with the PACEsetter of the Year Award, acknowledging her deep love for FPRA and her involvement at both the chapter and state levels.
  • FPRA Ocala Chapter Lifetime Achievement in Communications Award: Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, received this prestigious award, marking only the fourth time it has been presented. Christian’s unwavering dedication and exemplary service to Marion County Public Schools, as well as his leadership roles in FPRA and other organizations, set a high standard for the profession.

Additional Honors:

  • Joe Curley APR, CPRC Rising Leader Award: Greg Davis was named the statewide 2024 recipient at the FPRA 85th PR & Comms Summit. The award recognizes emerging leaders showing dedication, innovation, and active involvement in organizational activities.
  • FPRA State President’s Awards: Lindsay Tozer was honored with the President’s Award for Furthering the Profession and the President’s Award for Leadership Development, reflecting her significant contributions to advancing public relations and developing leadership within the chapter.
  • FPRA 65th Golden Image Awards:
    • Awards of Distinction: Kristina Donohue, APR (Kimberly’s Cottage) and Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC (COX Communications) received recognition for their outstanding submissions.
    • Pinnacle Award: Tom Hyle and his team at the Southwest Water Management District were honored as the inaugural winners for a government agency.

The FPRA Ocala Chapter extends its heartfelt gratitude to all members, honorees, and nominees who made the event memorable. Special thanks go to our generous Gala sponsors, including Tall Tail Communications LLC, whose support made the evening possible.

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FPRA Ocala Chapter to Host Annual Banquet and Communicator of the Year Awards

Media Contact:
Danielle Veenstra
VP of Communications
M: 352.817.4327
[email protected]

 

Ocala, FL (AUG. 13, 2024) – The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) is set to host its Annual Banquet on Friday, Aug. 30, at the Appleton Museum of Art (4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd.).

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the event commencing at 7 p.m. and concluding at 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress in formal attire for this elegant evening.

The banquet will feature a keynote address by incoming FPRA State President Julie Frey, APR, CPRC. The evening’s program includes the presentation of several distinguished awards, including the prestigious Communicator of the Year award, recognition of state-level award winners from the PR & Comms Summit, and the induction of the 2024-2025 officers for the Ocala Chapter. The event will also see the ceremonial passing of the gavel from past presidents to the incoming president, Gregory Davis.

Davis, who serves as the Public Information Officer for the City of Ocala and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, has been an active FPRA member since 2021. With over 11 years of experience in communications, Davis is well-poised to lead the Ocala Chapter in the coming year.

Dinner will be served to all guests. Tickets are available for $35 and can be purchased online at https://www.fpraocala.org/event/annual-awards-banquet-gala-and-pass-the-gavel/.

FPRA is committed to fostering the development of public relations professionals across Florida through ethical and standardized practices. Founded in 1980, the Ocala Chapter has a long-standing tradition of excellence within the association, which today boasts over 1,000 professional and student members statewide and nationally.

For more information about the event, please contact Danielle Veenstra, VP of Communications, at
352-817-4327 or [email protected].

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FPRA Ocala Chapter Calls for Entries for Communicator of the Year Award

Media Contact:
Danielle Veenstra
VP of Communications
M: 352.817.4327
[email protected]

 

Ocala, FL (JULY 2, 2024) – Celebrate excellence in communications with the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). The chapter announced a call for entries for the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year Awards on Monday, July 1. This prestigious award will be presented at the Annual Pass the Gavel Gala on August 30 at the Appleton Museum of Art.

Since 2005, the Communicator of the Year Awards have recognized individuals and institutions that have demonstrated excellence in strategic communications, contributing to the quality of life in Marion or Citrus counties. The awards are open to businesses, nonprofits, journalists, educators, community leaders, and professionals from allied fields such as advertising and marketing. Nominees do not have to be FPRA members but must exemplify the highest professional standards in the communications field.

Award Categories:

  • Individual Communicator of the Year: Recognizes a person who has used their position to enhance Marion or Citrus County’s community causes, advance the field of public relations, and uphold ethical standards.
  • Institutional Communicator of the Year: Honors an institution or media outlet that has gone above and beyond to provide timely, accurate, and critical information to the community, demonstrating mastery of communication skills and strategies.

Criteria for Nomination:

  • Represent the field of communications.
  • Be active in the Citrus or Marion County community and show how they use their position to make a difference.
  • Contribute to the public relations profession.
  • Uphold the ethics and values of FPRA.
  • Be nominated by a member of FPRA or the community (self-nominations are not accepted).

During the Pass the Gavel Gala, the chapter’s president, Lindsay Tozer, will also be awarding President’s Awards to outstanding chapter members and the Joe Curley Rising Leader Award.

Nominations for Communicator of the Year are now open. The deadline for entries is Friday, July 26. For more information and to submit a nomination, please visit our website: https://www.fpraocala.org/accreditation/communicator-of-the-year-awards/.

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WWE Community Ambassador to “Main Event” at FPRA Ocala’s Annual COMMference

Ocala, Florida – On April 26, The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Ocala Chapter will host World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Community Ambassador  Sarah Schreiber as the “main event” keynote speaker for its annual conference. The event will be held at the College of Central Florida from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COMMference is the premier event for communication professionals, offering networking opportunities, professional development, and seven inspiring speakers working within various communication industries.

“We are so excited to have a communications professional such as Victor Travagliante travel and join us here in Ocala, Florida,” said Lindsay Tozer, President of the FPRA Ocala Chapter. “His expertise in broadcast journalism and storytelling will provide valuable insights for our attendees, helping enhance communications strategies in our state and local communities.”

Registration for the conference is now open. Prices vary based on qualifications:

All Students: $30

FPRA Members: $50

Non-Members: $75

To learn more about the conference and register, please visit: https://www.fpraocala.org/event/commference-2024/

For more information, please contact FPRA Ocala Chapter President-Elect Gregory Davis at (352) 246-2278 or [email protected].

 

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2023 Image Award Winners

Logo-Header.png

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Savannah Silliman
[email protected]
352-207-0719
PHOTO CREDIT: John Nevarez
www.FPRAOcala.org

 

FPRA OCALA CHAPTER RECOGNIZES IMAGE AND COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

OCALA, Fla. (April 20, 2023) – The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) recognized accomplishments in the fields of public relations and communications on April 19 at the Run for the PR Roses 2023 Mid-Florida Image and Communicator of the Year awards held at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association in Ocala.

The Liquid Creative Marketing Agency won two image awards for public relations in the promotional/marketing and public service categories. They also won the judges’ award for their own Liquid Creative Marketing Agency campaign. A full-service digital marketing agency, Liquid Creative implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy with the goal to increase their agency’s full-service retainer clients in Ocala and Gainesville. They achieved this goal by positioning themselves as a strategic marketing partner. This campaign increased monthly retainers by 150% and revenue by 112%.

Tom James was honored with the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year award from the Ocala Chapter of FPRA. The award recognized him for using his position to enhance Marion County’s community causes, advance the field of public relations, and uphold the ethical standards representing the Ocala chapter.

The Marion County Supervisor of Elections office received the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year award in the institutional category. Institutional recognition is presented to a business or media outlet that has gone above and beyond to provide timely, accurate, and critical information to the community, and has demonstrated a mastery of communications skills and strategies.

The event was sponsored by FPRA chapters in Ocala, Lake County and Volusia/Flagler, C.L. Swag, Kaplan Advertising, A&A Campbell Group, Ocala Electric Utility and Liquid Creative.

About Tom James
For many decades, Tom James has put his communications skills to good use as an award-winning director, anchor, and freelance sportscaster. But it is his role as networking guru – for the Ocala Metro Chamber of Commerce (CEP), as well as myriad community organizations – that distinguishes James.

Networking is defined as the process or practice of building up or maintaining relationships, especially with people whose friendships could bring advantages for job or business opportunities. James does that by leading networking programs for the CEP that include Net>Works groups, Leadership Council, CEO networking receptions, NetPerking, Business After Hours, CEP 101: Partner Orientation, and Networking University.

Dean Blinkhorn, the CEP’s chief operating officer said, “Tom is truly the voice of the CEP as co-anchor of The Weekly Buzz, host of A Closer Look, and as the voice of the 2020 Chamber of the Year’s on-hold messages.”

“Additionally, it’s Tom’s ability to communicate – and advocate – for this community that makes him the de facto goodwill ambassador for Ocala/Marion County.”

An awards judge said, “Tom James stands out not only because of his long and varied communications experience, but because, in addition to being a strong communicator, he is also a highly visible ambassador for our community, and a good one. Tom delivers a positive, upbeat message time after time and wins fans for himself and Ocala wherever he goes.”

An Ocala native, James also gives back to his community as an Elks member, Rotary Club member, and is a United Way and Salvation Army volunteer. His efforts impact not only Marion County, but other areas of the state, which include working with broadcasting students at Daytona State College and  traveling to Fort Myers with Rebuild Southwest Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

About the Marion County Supervisor of Elections Office
Supervisor Wesley Wilcox and his team led the charge to form an FSE public relations work group to develop communications and resources to combat misinformation, bolster voter confidence in elections, and identify election officials as the sources of trusted election information. The effort led to messaging being sent to each of Florida’s supervisors to distribute to candidates and elected officials with the message of “tone down the rhetoric.” The approach was considered extraordinary and received local, state, and national media attention with Wilcox being interviewed by media outlets including the Ocala Gazette, WCJB TV, CNN, Fox News, and NBC.

The work group, again led by Wilcox, developed an elections integrity toolkit to equip supervisors throughout Florida with resources and materials to educate voters ahead of the 2022 election cycle. Supervisor Wilcox also initiated a meeting with Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee to film a joint message announcing their partnership as part of the National Association of Secretaries of State’s nonpartisan #TrustedInfo campaign.

As part of ongoing business, the Marion County Supervisor of Elections office offers numerous guided tours of the local Election Center operations for elected officials, members of the media, business leaders, political clubs, and homeschooled students, educating all about the voting system and election processes. There are various public speaking engagements and a wealth of factual election information available on the Supervisor of Elections website, social media feeds, and at local outreach events within the community and schools.

An awards judge said, “One cannot communicate enough, especially clearly, when it comes to modern-day politics.Wesley Wilcox and the Marion County Supervisor of Elections team can stand tall and proud given their success at sharing current election laws and protocols and ensuring voters are informed and updated when it comes to casting ballots and making one’s voice heard.”

FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. Today there are more than 1,000 professional, at-large and student members throughout the state and country. The FPRA Ocala chapter was established in 1980. For more information about the chapter, go to www.fpraocala.org.

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Join us for our Winter Social!

Our winter social is approaching on Dec. 16 at Bank Street Patio Bar! Enjoy great drinks and company from 6 PM to 8 PM with members of the Ocala Chapter. We are also hosting a White Elephant for those wanting to participate 🤍🐘❄️🍸 RSVP to our Membership Chair Greg Davis

Ocala area PR professionals earn local and statewide awards, recognition at end-of-year celebration and annual conference

The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association raced to the finish of its 2021-2022 membership year in top form – and is now ready to break from the starting gate – by bringing home several statewide awards and recognizing founding member Toni James, APR, CPRC, by renaming its PACEsetter of the Year Award in her honor.

The Ocala Chapter PACEsetter award, established in 2004, recognizes members who have demonstrated excellence and helped advance and strengthen the chapter. PACE stands for Professional and Career Enhancement.

Outgoing Ocala Chapter President Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, announced the renaming of the prestigious award during the chapter’s annual year-end celebration on Aug. 19. James, surprised and visibly moved by the designation, is a two-time past president of the Ocala Chapter in 1985 and 1996 and a 2011 recipient of the PACEsetter Award. She also received the Lifetime Achievement in Communications Award – one of only three such designees in the chapter’s 42-year history.

Danenhower lauded James for leaving an “indelible mark” not just on the public relations profession and FPRA but also on the local community. Danenhower cited James’ long tenure as the first president of United Way of Marion County and her work with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Save Marion Theatre, Marion County Public Library system and Heart of Florida Health Center. “Toni started her career in the 1960s,” Danenhower said. “Think about that. At the time, Toni was nearly always the only woman in a meeting or boardroom. Her success and passion have inspired generations of women.”

During the “Starting Gate” event, James and Danenhower bestowed the renamed award to Tina Banner, APR, CPRC, longtime chapter member and past president, along with Beverly Brown, outgoing chapter membership director and treasurer for the coming membership year.

Banner, assistant director of social media and digital communications for the University of Florida Advancement, worked for James for many years at United Way. Danenhower said Banner was a consistent and reliable source of support to the Ocala Chapter even after transferring to the Gainesville Chapter.

“Tina has been with us every step this year for no reason other than she wants our chapter to thrive and succeed,” Danenhower said. “She helped us build our budget. Her records served as our launch point. She was quick to track down whatever we needed. For Tina, no task was too small and no time commitment too great in her service to the chapter – not just this year but for the last 20 years. Tina is FPRA; she is the Ocala Chapter.”

Danenhower also praised Brown, director of Taylor College’s career and student services, for helping promote a warm and welcoming culture as the chapter’s membership director.

“Beverly intuitively knows what to do, what to say and how to make people feel seen, heard and valued,” Danenhower said. “With Beverly’s leadership, we retained 83% of our membership and celebrated nine new and returning members. We are 46 members strong today and growing.”

After thanking members of the 2021-2022 board, Danenhower turned to outgoing State President Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC, to install the chapter’s new board except the incoming chapter president, Tammy Gantt, who will be installed in September. Gantt is the associate vice president of member services and events at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association and executive director of Florida Thoroughbred Charities.

Chestnut, who is also a member of the Ocala Chapter, was recognized for serving on the Association’s state executive committee. Other chapter members who served at the state level were Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, the Association’s liaison on the Universal Accreditation Board, and Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, vice president of LeadershipFPRA.

A highlight of the event was a “gavel-passing” ceremony with several of the chapter’s past presidents: Margaret Spontak (1984); Toni James, APR, CPRC (1985 and 1996); Karen Jensen (1987); Donna Hogan Delahunty (1992); Carole Savage-Hagans, APR, CPRC (1992 and 2012); Susan Little, APR (1994, 1996 and 1998); Lisa Varner, APR, CPRC (2002, 2003 and 2017); Tina Banner, APR, CPRC (2008); Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC (2010); Allison Campbell, APR, CPRC (2011); Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC (2013); Jenifer Lowe (2014); Barbara Hernandez, APR, CPRC (2015); Katie Hunnicutt (2019); Christy Jergens, APR (2020); and Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC (2021).

As Danenhower often stated during the program, “but wait, there’s more.”

The “more” happened the previous week during “Your Ticket to Success,” FPRA’s 83rd annual professional development conference, which took place Aug. 7-10 in Orlando. During the conference, Chestnut recognized the Ocala Chapter with two President’s Awards, one for Programs and another for Awards and Recognition. Chestnut highlighted how the chapter leveraged the vast experience of its members for some programs and the chapter’s 1980s-themed Mid-Florida Image and Communicator of the Year Awards program.  

Several Ocala Chapter members also won statewide Golden Image Awards during the conference, which were presented during “Cosmic PR: Accelerating Excellence in Public Relations” gala:

  • Jen Pagh of Liquid Creative won a Golden Image and Judge’s Award for promotional marketing for Straight Line Construction in the Public Relations Program division. The work for Straight Line Construction also earned Pagh a Golden Image and Judge’s Award in the external video category of Digital Tools of Public Relations as well as an Award of Distinction for digital promotion. 
  • Robin Grantham of the Southwest Florida Water Management District brought home a Golden Image and Judge’s Award in the public affairs category of Public Relations Programs for the district’s water conservation camp.
  • Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, of Duke Energy picked up an Award of Distinction in the internal communications category of Public Relations Programs for Duke’s Energy Power Plant Worker Appreciation campaign.
  • Pamela Calero and Savannah Silliman of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra received an Award of Distinction in the Collateral of Public Relations division for a brochure promoting the orchestra’s 46th season.

The Golden Image Awards represent a standard of public relations excellence in Florida with winners demonstrating the best examples of innovation, planning and design. To qualify for judging, an entry must incorporate sound public relations research and planning. Entries also must meet the highest standards of production, execution and evaluation of results and budget.

Other annual conference highlights included:

Lindsay Tozer, FCRM, newly installed Ocala Chapter president-elect, was recognized as a member of the 2022 Joe Curley Rising Leader Class, which honors the personal dedication and engagement of members with two-to-five years of membership. Tozer, a member of the Ocala Chapter, is the communications officer for the Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

Kristina Donohue, APR, was recognized for earning her Accredited in Public Relations credential. The APR signifies a practitioner’s willingness to undergo rigorous written and verbal examinations to demonstrate mastery in research, planning, implementation and evaluation of communications programs executed within a legal and ethical framework. Earning the APR sets Donohue apart from her peers and positions her as a leader and mentor in the competitive public relations field.

Allison Campbell, APR, CPRC, and Greg Davis both graduated from LeadershipFPRA, Class VI. The intensive, yearlong program is designed to further strengthen public relations roles and the communities and industries where public relations practitioners live. Campbell is the principal of A & A Campbell Group and an elected board member of Marion County Public Schools. Davis is public relations officer for MCPS. 

Christopher Bradford, program administrator and public information officer for Priority Dispatch, Corp., was selected as a member of the 2022-2023 LeadershipFPRA program, Class VII.  

Bradford, Campbell and Davis received partial scholarships from the Ocala Chapter to take part in the program.

FPRA Ocala breaks from the ‘Starting Gate’ to honor chapter, state leaders

The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association will hold its monthly professional development meeting and a special “Starting Gate” recognition event on Friday, Aug. 19 at the Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., in Ocala. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program takes place from noon to 1 p.m.

The program features the Association’s 2022-2023 president, Jay Morgan-Schleuning, APR, CPRC, who will install the incoming chapter board. He takes the leadership reins from Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC, who is FPRA’s outgoing state president as well as a member of the Ocala Chapter.

In addition, the event will honor the 2022 PACEsetter member of the year and showcase past presidents in attendance during a gavel-passing ceremony.

Morgan-Schleuning, who will also offer insights on leadership, is a principal at Authentic Reputations in Orlando, managing stakeholder relations and strategic communications. He specializes in providing strategic communications, public relations, marketing, branding and reputation counsel to associations and nonprofits.

Prior to his work at Authentic Reputations, Morgan-Schleuning served in a variety of communications roles for ARC of Florida, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Visit Florida and the American Heart Association. He also worked as an on-air TV news anchor and reporter in several media markets, including Orlando.

The cost to attend the “Starting Gate” event, which is open to the public and includes lunch, is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Past presidents are invited to attend at no charge. The reservation deadline is Friday, Aug. 12. Click register, or go to fpraocala.org/event/june-professional-development-meeting/ to learn more and/or register to attend the meeting.

The 2022 PACEsetter of the Year award is sponsored by A&A Campbell Group; Tina Banner, APR, CPRC; Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC; CL Swag; Heather Danenhower Nelson, APR, CPRC; and Carole Savage-Hagans, APR, CPRC.

FPRA was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who enhance the public relations profession in Florida through ethical and standardized practices. FPRA comprises 16 professional and 14 student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking, and professional recognition opportunities.

The FPRA Ocala Chapter was established in 1980. To learn more about FPRA Ocala, visit fpraocala.org.

FPRA Ocala examines Florida’s regulation of social media and political speech

The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association will hold its monthly professional development meeting on Thursday, June 16 at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center in Ocala from noon to 1 p.m., with networking starting at 11:30 a.m.

Guest speaker will be Clay Calvert, director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment project at the University of Florida. His presentation, “Speaking out and shutting down: how Florida regulates social media and political speech,” draws on his experience as Brechner Eminent Scholar in mass communication at UF’s College of Journalism and Communications.

Calvert, who also earned a law degree from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law and holds a doctorate in communication from Stanford University, is a published author many times over and has presented a TEDxUF examining cameras and law enforcement.

Last year, he was named UF’s Teacher/Scholar of the Year and became the first member of the College of Journalism and Communication to win the university’s oldest and most prestigious faculty award.  

The cost to attend the in-person meeting, which includes lunch, is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. The reservation deadline is Monday, June 13. Click register, or go to fpraocala.org/event/june-professional-development-meeting/ to learn more and/or register to attend the meeting.

FPRA was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who enhance the public relations profession in Florida through ethical and standardized practices. FPRA has more than 1,000 members in 16 professional and 12 student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking, and professional recognition opportunities.

The FPRA Ocala Chapter was established in 1980. To learn more about FPRA Ocala, visit fpraocala.org

FPRA Ocala COMMference set for May 20

Commference

The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association’s COMMference Conference for Communicators takes place Friday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn at 120 E. Silver Springs Boulevard in downtown Ocala.

COMMference offers the opportunity to hear from a selection of Florida’s top public relations professionals as they share their experience and strategies in dealing with the world’s leading communications challenges.

The conference is open to the public as well as FPRA members. The cost to attend for nonmembers is $65 for half-day sessions to $105 for the full day. The members’ rate ranges from $50 for a half-day option, either morning or afternoon, to $95 for the full day. A $20 rate is also available for students enrolled in a communications program.

Morning sessions include breakfast, lunch is included with the afternoon sessions, and both meals are included for the full day.

Featured presenters are:

  • Dr. Nathan Crock, director of NewSci Labs, with an examination of the current state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact in public relations;
  • Ashley Jeffery, senior manager of media communication for the West Florida Division of AdventHealth, who will take a deep dive into managing crisis and communications for a large corporation with a small team and best practices for communicating fast-changing information and integrating social media into successful media opportunities;
  • Tina Banner, APR, CPRC, assistant director of social media and digital communities for the University of Florida Office of University Advancement, who will explore best practices for communicating on social media with relevant and engaging content; and
  • Tammy Gantt, associate vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, who will highlight the communicators’ role in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

There will also be a media panel moderated by Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, public relations director for Marion County Public Schools, as well as networking opportunities.

COMMference is sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn Ocala Downtown and Duke Energy. To register, or for more information, go to bit.ly/COMMference2022.

FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. Today there are more than 1,000 professional, at-large and student members throughout the state and country. The FPRA Ocala Chapter was established in 1980. For more information about the chapter, go to www.fpraocala.org.