Regional Chapter of Florida Public Relations Association Wins Big at State Conference
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association wins the coveted Chapter of the Year and Promoting the Profession awards; members also recognized with six Golden Image Awards for excellence in public relations programming.
Sarasota, Fla. (August 14, 2017) – The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) was recognized with leading awards at FPRA’s 79th annual conference at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, last week. The organization and individual members received significant honors during the event.
CWC-FPRA won the coveted Chapter of the Year award, in recognition of its financial health, strong retention and new member attraction rates, media coverage, and its leadership within the community and the industry. It also received the Promoting the Profession & FPRA award for the promotion of its programs and chapter member achievements through the media and creating awareness about FPRA throughout our community.
Cheray Keyes-Shima, APR, CPRC, was recognized with the John Dillin Professional Award, the highest honor accorded by FPRA. Longtime chapter member Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, was named FPRA Statewide Member of the Year for his significant contributions to the Association through outstanding leadership, demonstrated enthusiasm, extraordinary involvement and loyal support. Sharon Kunkel was named to the 2017 Joe Curley Rising Leader Class, which recognizes and honors up-and-coming leaders in regional chapters and builds leadership streams at the state level. CWC-FPRA members Tara Poulton and Rhonda Leiberick, APR were installed as state board members and Lynn Hobeck Bates, APR, was installed to the state’s executive committee.
“CWC-FPRA enjoyed an extremely strong year in leadership, programming, recognition, and membership. We’re thrilled to be recognized at the state level with these important honors,” said chapter president Mischa Kirby, APR. “We have worked hard to build a strong foundation so that we can be a strong chapter for years to come.”
During the conference gala event, chapter members were presented with six Golden Image Awards for excellence in public relations programming. Winners of these prestigious awards competition demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design.
The winners of the 2017 Golden Image Awards are:
- Visit Sarasota for “Tourism Fights Hunger” (Lynn Hobeck Bates, APR) (Judge’s Award for Community Relations)
- Southwest Florida Water Management District for “Flatford Swamp Outreach Program” (Judge’s Award for Public Service)
- Circus Arts Conservatory’s “Under the Roof: Arena Improvement Legislative Request” (Colleen Thayer) (Judge’s Award for Public Affairs)
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for “Love is in the Air Corpse Plant Dual Bloom” (Mischa Kirby, APR and Darren Erickson) (Judge’s Award for Public Service)
- Coldwell Banker NRT for “#CBGetsIt Recruiting Campaign” (Elise Ramer, Laitin Schwerin, John Greske, Melissa Springer and Rick Lange). (Judge’s Award for Integrated Marketing)
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets monthly for professional development luncheons and networking. Visit www.cwcfpra.com for the latest details.
The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. The organization’s 16 professional and 12 student chapters provide professional development, networking and recognition opportunities for nearly 1,500 members across the state. FPRA is the nation’s oldest public relations organization, established by Lt. Col. John Dillin, APR, CPRC in 1938. For more information, visit www.fpra.org.
