Chapter Challenge Points Opportunity...Can You Find It?

Hello FPRA Treasure Coast!

May Monthly Program -- Crisis Communications: “The Good, The Bad and The Sound Bite”
Make your reservations 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. Reservations and payment may be made online at www.fpratreasurecoast.com. Lunch will once again be catered by Panera Bread.


FPRA Media Conference Set For Digital Conversion June 12
Digital communication has forever changed the world of media, public relations and marketing.

Sending press releases to local media outlets can still reap great results, but the times are changing on the Treasure Coast and professional communicators must now learn how to take advantage of what digital media outlets can offer.

“Successful Media Strategies: Digital PR and Marketing Power Tools,” the theme of this year’s Florida Public Relations Association Treasure Coast chapter annual Media Conference, promises just that by assembling professionals from all media outlets including newspaper, magazine, radio, television, Internet and more.

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. June 12 at the Wolf High Technology Center on Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart, followed by an hour-long networking session, then lunch at 11:30 a.m.

This year’s topics include:
· Is PR ready for a Digital World?
· Search Engine Optimization for your Web site
· Communications for nonprofits
· Photography and Videography 101
· 10 Free or Low-Cost Strategies for PR and Marketing in a Recession
· PR 101
· Meet the Press: An Opportunity to Meet and Learn From the Best!

A Media Mixer cocktail reception will begin following the last session at approximately 5 and last until 7 p.m. The conference has always been an excellent networking vehicle assembling the Treasure Coast’s media professionals with their public relations counterparts in the community. Students interested in pursuing a career in media, public relations or marketing and non-FPRA members are also invited to attend.

Advance registration is required, visit www.fpratreasurecoast.com or call The Firefly Group at (772) 287-5272 for more information. Tickets for the conference are $75 for FPRA members, $90 for nonmembers and $35 for students. For more information visit: www.fpratreasurecoast.com. Make your reservations online today!

For more information: Beverly B. Jones, APR, BB Jones Communications at beverly@bbjonespr.com.


2009 FPRA Annual Conference Update – May 2009 from the Annual Conference Committee
Check out our PR on F.I.R.E. video conference ad (http://www.fpra.org/pr_on_fire.asp) – it’s sure to fire you up for this year’s conference! Our Tuesday lineup is full of professional development and networking opportunities, beginning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) and wrapping up with a “PR Under Fire” panel discussion, featuring public relations professionals from various industries.

We’ll start the morning with our 2009 Dillin Keynote Speaker, Eugene Campbell, Vice President of Community Relations and Minority Business Development for Walt Disney World Resort. Named #4 in a CSR poll, Disney is well known for its corporate responsibility. This presentation will focus on the Foundation and Reputation components of F.I.R.E. as Eugene talks about Disney’s comprehensive, integrated approach to corporate responsibility. He’ll also talk about how the company addresses crucial issues related to the environment, community, workplaces, product development, and other factors that shape stakeholder perceptions.

Interested in International CSR? Join Leticia Solaun, International Public Relations Liaison for CH2M HILL, for her presentation One Size Does NOT Fit All: Cultural Influences in CSR Decision Making.

Or join Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, and learn the ten strategies you need to earn a position on the management team at his presentation, PR is Not Always Loved by Management: Here’s How to Get the Romance Started.

Still a little confused by those financial statements and budgets? Finance 101: What You Need to Know about Financial Statements and Budgets so you can Communicate with Your CEO will help. Join Dennis Gayle, Senior Vice President of First Bank and Trust of Indiantown for this Educational session.

Wendy Cobrda and Amy Hebard, founding partners of Earthsense, LLC will Educate us on Green Public Relations and Marketing. Following their presentation, you’ll have the opportunity to hear about Green Printing and Paper from Wayne Dennis, Corporate Director of Sustainability for Mac Papers, and Kathy Paiva of FidelityPress.

And back by popular demand are the Counselors’ Network Roundtable lunch discussions. Our seasoned professionals will facilitate discussion about hot public relations topics.

We’ll wrap up Tuesday’s professional development with a panel session you won’t want to miss: “PR Under Fire.” What do you do when your employer, or you personally, are suddenly the focus of the community’s and the media’s attention? Here from public relations professionals as they talk candidly about their experiences in addressing challenges they’ve faced in their respective industries, how they have responded to those challenges, and how they continue to demonstrate the value of public relations and the bottom line return to their employers. Moderated by Suzanne Sparling, APR, FPRA Past President, panel members are Jack Levine, 4Generations Institute (non-profit); Lauri-Ellen Smith, APR, PIO for Jacksonville Sheriff's Department (government); and Deirdre Breakenridge, President, PFS Marketwyse (agency).

Register now and make your hotel reservations. The deadline for early registration is July 19, 2009, and the deadline for hotel reservations at the FPRA discounted price is July 9, 2009. AND if you register by May 8, the Chapter will be eligible for “points” in the Chapter Challenge!!

Have a great week,
Linette