FPRA Ocala Chapter

October Professional Development Meeting
2025-10-17 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
October’s Professional Development Meeting
From Strategy to Spotlight: Building Award-Winning Campaigns That Drive Results

Presented by Jen Houser, APR
In today’s competitive market, it’s not enough to have a great product or service—you need a smart, scalable marketing strategy that delivers leads and drives demand.
Join us for this Professional Development session where Jen Houser, APR, shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Creative Springs built a national communications campaign that not only strengthened brand awareness but also generated qualified leads.
This award-winning campaign earned top recognition from the Florida Public Relations Association, including:

Grand Golden Image Award
Golden Image Award for the MagnaTrack Screens video campaign
Award of Distinction for digital marketing

Learn how thoughtful strategy, innovative storytelling, and strong execution combined to deliver measurable results – and how you can apply these best practices to your own campaigns.
Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that will help you take your communications to the next level!

Schedule: Friday, October 17, 2025
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting October 2025

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD

Meet Jen Houser, APR
Jen Houser is the Founder and President of Creative Springs, a Florida-based marketing agency. With acute ability to cast vision, Jen leads her team in delivering innovative marketing solutions that drive success for their clients. Her career journey—from merchandising at Target Corp. in Minneapolis to helping build an experiential marketing staffing agency in New York City—has shaped her ability to blend creativity with strategy in a way that delivers real results.
At Creative Springs, Jen fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and bold thinking, empowering both her team and clients to reach their full potential. Whether she’s creative directing a video shoot, crafting a digital marketing strategy, or listening intently to understand a client’s unique needs, she brings a joyful and insightful approach that fuels growth. She believes that marketing isn’t just about campaigns—it’s about building brands that inspire and make an impact.

November Professional Development Meeting
2025-11-21 11:30 - 13:00 | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
November’s Professional Development Meeting
GenAI in Communications and Marketing: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Presented by Steve Orlando
Steve Orlando has worked at the University of Florida for nearly 30 years. As interim vice president for strategic communications and marketing, he is responsible for helping to guide UF’s overall communications strategy; advising and supporting university leadership, faculty and staff in interactions with the news media, public and social media; playing a leadership role in crisis management, and ensuring unity and consistency in overall university messaging. He also has served as an adjunct lecturer in UF’s College of Journalism & Communications, where he taught classes that included Reporting Lab, Magazine and Feature Writing, and Mass Media & You. Prior to joining UF, he spent nearly 10 years as a newspaper reporter, mostly for The Tampa Tribune. A two-time UF grad, he has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in mass communication.
Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that will help you take your communications to the next level!

Schedule: Friday, October 17, 2025
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting November 2025

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD

January Professional Development Meeting
2026-01-16 11:30 - 13:00 | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Running a Political Campaign the Public Relations Way
Presented by Allision Campbell, APR, CPRC
Join us for our January professional development meeting and learn how Allison B. Campbell, APR, CPRC uses public relations strategies and tactics to create successful political campaigns. Allison will share the lessons she has learned over the years and how she was able to develop a memorable brand that resonated with voters in 2020 and 2024. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn from one of Ocala’s best public relations practitioners!

Schedule: Friday, January 16, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting January 2026

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD

February Professional Development Meeting
2026-02-20 11:30 - 13:00 | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Staying Ahead in PR: The Must‑Have Tools for 2026
Presented by Chris Gent, APR, CPRC
In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, public relations professionals need more than strong writing and strategy—they need the right tools. In this fast‑paced session, FPRA member Chris Gent will highlight the latest platforms, apps, and AI technologies reshaping how communicators research, create, pitch, and measure results. Attendees will walk away with practical, easy‑to‑use tools that can immediately improve workflow efficiency, elevate storytelling, and strengthen outcomes across any PR role. Perfect for pros looking to stay sharp, stay relevant, and stay ahead.
Chris Gent is a seasoned strategic communications and public relations professional with more than 30 years of experience in internal and external communications, media relations, and corporate philanthropy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in strategic public relations from The George Washington University, where he graduated valedictorian.
Chris is both accredited in public relations (APR) and a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC). A long‑time leader in FPRA, he has served as president of the Orlando Area Chapter and later as state president. He recently completed a three‑year term on the Universal Accreditation Board, representing FPRA in oversight of the APR credential.
Schedule: Friday, February 20, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
Location
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
Registration
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting February 2026

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD

March Professional Development Meeting
2026-03-13 11:30 - 13:00 | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Golden Image Awards: The Essentials for Success in 2026
Presented by Chris Graham, APR, CPRC
Learn how to organize and submit your PR work for a Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Award. It’s a prestigious annual award given by FPRA for recognizing outstanding public relations programs, tools, and campaigns. Established in 1957, these awards honor the best in strategic innovation, planning, and design, often considered the “hallmark of excellence” in the Florida PR profession.
Chris Graham, APR, CPRC, is the Communications Manager for AdventHealth’s West Volusia market, where he leads strategic communications and community engagement efforts. Chris is a former reporter for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and later became the first Public Information Officer for the City of DeLand, where he has served for nearly a decade, and guided the city through major crises, including hurricanes and COVID-19. Chris is a long time member of FPRA and has served for several years on FPRA’s executive committee, including three years as vice president of the statewide Golden Image Awards.
Schedule: Friday, March 13, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
Location
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
Registration
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting: March 2026

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD

COMMference 2026
2026-04-17 08:30 - 13:30 | College of Central Florida Webber Center, 3001 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL, 34471, United States
Join us for FPRA Ocala Chapter’s COMMference 2026!
This conference is perfect for public relations professionals, marketers, videographers, and other communication experts.
Speaker Lineup:
Loretta Shaffer, Tourism Development Director
Candace Shelton, Industry and Community Relations Specialist
Ocala/Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau
Topic: Communications and Advocacy
Lauren Debick, APR, CPRC
Brand Strategist & Business Development Manager
Topic: Campaign Development and Outcomes of Put Down the Phone

Makayla Buchanan: Chief of Staff
The Children’s Movement of Florida
Topic: Public Relations and Communications Role in Changing Outcomes Around Helping Children Thrive in Their First Five Years
Polly Morgan PCM, CDMP: Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Florida Chamber Foundation
Taylor Maxey, Director of Public Relations and Media Relations, Florida Public Relations
Topic: How to Drive Revenue Streams Using Marketing Tools, Statewide Events, Media Relations and Lead Generation Tactics

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May Professional Development Meeting
2026-05-15 11:30 - 13:00 | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Generative AI and the Law
Presented by Jane Bambauer, Law Professor, University of Florida
AI-generated text, images, and video are going to test the limits of media law and professionalism. This talk will discuss relevant developments in the law including copyright, defamation, right of publicity, negligence/products liability, privacy, and constitutional free speech protections.
Professor Bambauer is the Brechner Eminent Scholar at the Levin College of Law and at the College of Journalism and Communications. She teaches Torts, First Amendment, Media Law, Criminal Procedure, and Privacy Law. She’s conducted research assessing the social costs and benefits of Big Data, AI, and predictive algorithms and she’s also worked on analyzing the impacts of regulating these new information technologies.
Professor Bambauer currently serves as the Chair of the National AI Advisory Committee Subcommittee on Law Enforcement, and she has previously served as the deputy director of the Center for Quantum Networks, a multi-institutional engineering research center funded by the National Science Foundation. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Yale College and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Schedule: Friday, May 15, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
Location
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
Registration
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting: May 2026

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD

June Professional Development Meeting
2026-06-18 11:30 - 13:00 | College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Say More With Less: The Smart Brevity® Advantage
Presented by Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC
In a world overflowing with words and shrinking attention spans, clarity isn’t just a skill — it’s a competitive advantage. Say More With Less: The Smart Brevity® Advantage teaches you how to craft crisp, compelling messages that break through the noise and get remembered.
Devon Chestnut is the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications for Cox Communications, the largest private broadband provider in the United States. Its fiber‑powered wireline and wireless connections reach over 12 million homes and businesses and support advanced cloud and managed IT services nationwide. In her role, Devon leads the company’s digital communication ecosystem—including the intranet, digital newsletter, internal social community, and enterprise content strategy—ensuring meaningful connection and engagement for Cox’s 15,000+ employees nationwide.
Devon served as President of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) in 2022, is a past president of the FPRA Gainesville Chapter, former chair of the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation, and an active member of the FPRA Ocala Chapter. She is also a proud graduate of Leadership Ocala/Marion Class 22 and Leadership Gainesville Class 37.
Devon’s work has been recognized with numerous industry honors, including the John S. Detweiler, Ed.D., APR, CPRC Professional of the Year Award from the FPRA Gainesville Chapter, an Association of Cable Communicators Beacon Award, the ESPN Good Sports Award, and multiple FPRA Local Image and Golden Image Awards. She was named a Gainesville “40 Under Forty” honoree in 2011 and is a two‑time Cox Public Affairs Employee of the Year.
A native of Ocala, Florida, Devon holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2012 and her Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) credential in 2016.
Schedule: Thursday, June 18, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking
11:45 a.m. Chapter updates
Noon Professional development meeting
Location
The meeting will be held at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center (3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474). Once inside, please follow the signs to the meeting room.
Registration
The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers, and $15 for student members. Please select an option from the dropdown below to pay via PayPal.
Lunch buffet will be served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you have pre-paid, please RSVP by emailing the Ocala Chapter at FPRAOcalaChapter@gmail.com.

FPRA Professional Development Meeting: June 2026

FPRA Member $25.00 USDFPRA Non-member $30.00 USDFPRA Student Member $15.00 USD
