Congratulations Image and Communicators of the Year Recipients

Good Wednesday Afternoon Treasure Coast!

Your chapter held a fantastic Image and Communicator of the Year Awards Ceremony last night and recognized several outstanding public relations professionals. A special thank you to Image Awards co-chairs Robin Delgado and Dorothy Kamm, and special assistant Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC for organizing such a great event. The networking time was dynamic, the silent auction items were dynamite, the food by Chef Melissa Major and crew was delicious and the desserts sponsored by Mariner Sands Country Club were delicious – how’s that for mid-week alliteration? Congratulations to the following honorees:

Award of Distinction:
2008 Students “Pledge to Vote” Campaign, Kherri Anderson, Vicki Davis; Martin County Supervisor of Elections

A Piece of Our Future: FAU Treasure Coast, Cara Perry; Florida Atlantic University

Judges Awards:
Indian River State College Branding & Identity, Robert Lane, Shari Killday, Michelle Abaldo; Indian River State College

“Hare Today – Gone Tomorrow”, Doreen Poreba, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

Drowning Prevention PSA, Erick Gill & Catherine Cheney; St. Lucie County Media Relations and St. Lucie County Fire District

Manatee Pocket Website, The Firefly Group, BJN Designs, Martin County Coastal Engineering

Indian River State College – Creating the Future Today Presentation, Bryan Beaty, Robert Lane, Jennifer Moore; Indian River State College

Image Award:
2009 Environmental Stewardship Awards, Keep Martin Beautiful, The Firefly Group

“Hare Today – Gone Tomorrow”, Doreen Poreba, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

Manatee Pocket Website, The Firefly Group, BJN Designs, Martin County Coastal Engineering

Grand Image Award:
“Hare Today – Gone Tomorrow”, Doreen Poreba, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

Manatee Pocket Website, The Firefly Group, BJN Designs, Martin County Coastal Engineering

Grand All Image Award
2009 Environmental Stewardship Awards, Keep Martin Beautiful, The Firefly Group

In addition to Image Awards, the following individuals were recognized as 2009 Outstanding Communicators.

Jennifer Trefelner, John Carroll High School -- Communicator of the Year for a Non-Profit
Sita Harrison, The Alexis Agency -- Communicator of the Year for a For-Profit
Erick Gill, St. Lucie County -- Communicator of the Year for a Government Agency
The Firefly Group -- Outstanding Public Relations for a Special Event
Rhonda Irons, Martin County Sheriff’s Office -- Crisis Communicator of the Year

Indian River Council Co-Hosted Professional Development
On April 16th our very own Indian River Council co-hosted a presentation by Dr. Gene Cohen on creativity and psychological growth with aging. A special thank you is extended to Laura Kelley, APR for her work in organizing this event and all Indian River Council activities.

May Monthly Program -- Crisis Communications: “The Good, The Bad and The Sound"
RSVP now to join the Florida Public Relations Association’s Treasure Coast Chapter on Tuesday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. when Carl Fowler, Emergency Management Area Coordinator for the Seminole Tribe of Florida Brighton Reservation, leads us on a journey of what to do, or more importantly, what to say to the media when a crisis hits. The monthly business meeting takes place at the Indian River State College’s Schreiber Center on the St. Lucie West Campus in Port St. Lucie.The Treasure Coast Chapter invites all interested first responders, public relations practitioners and anyone responsible for handling media relations during an emergency to attend the luncheon.

The cost is $15 for FPRA members and $20 for non-members. Reservations may be made now by calling Programs Chairman Cara Perry, Director of University Relations at FAU Treasure Coast Campus, at (772) 873-3339 or e-mail at ccarlton@fau.edu or by loggin on to http://www.fpratreasurecoast.com/. Lunch will once again be catered by Panera Bread.

Carl’s responsibilities for the Seminole Tribe include managing and conducting emergency preparedness programs for a community that covers over 30,000 acres and includes a resident population of more than 700. Carl joined the Seminole Tribe in February 2009 after serving for more than eight years as the Public Information Officer and Training Coordinator for Broward County Emergency Management Division in South Florida. He managed media relations and served as the principal spokesman during numerous disasters and emergencies that included Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. He has appeared on local, national and international news networks that include CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and The Weather Channel. Carl also managed the Division’s Training Program and has taught classes throughout Florida for public information officers and on incident command for first responders and other public safety officials. Carl is a frequent contributing teacher and presenter at the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference where he teaches beginning and advanced PIO classes. He’ll share television clips showing “The Good, The Bad and The Sound Bite,” on handling media interviews. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews and scenarios.

Special Thanks...

A special Thank You to Bryan Beaty for writing and posting this blog today!

Have a great rest of the week!

Linette