To help the chapter be more “flexible” and manage our information better, we’ve moved from a traditional website to a new blog format. It might take some getting used to for some of you that might not be regular blog readers:

• The most recent post of information will be right here on the homepage. As the items are posted it will stack in date order and also be filed in a corresponding category area to the right.
• Since there is no such thing as a calendar for a blog right now (yes, believe it or not, there’s a technology void for that item) so until we get a custom one done that will work for us, look under “Programs & Events” to the right for programs, mixers and events – separated by category.

As time goes on and we see what we need, we’ll be able to easily adjust the sections and formats to fit! Check back often and let us know of any news or info that you like to see added to the site.

Florida Public Relations Association
70th Annual Conference
August 3 – August 6, 2008
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

The Annual Conference is the Florida Public Relations Association’s premier professional development event. Each year members of FPRA, as well as other PR Professionals around the region, join together for 3 days of professional development. The annual conference is one of the most anticipated events of the year and brings together professionals with a common goal — to enhance their career through professional development seminars, vendor presentations, and networking opportunities. By offering experts on a variety of industry-related topics, FPRA’s goal for the conference is to present concepts and tactics that our members can immediately apply to their own jobs.

Find out how to reach more than 200 of the state’s top public relations professionals through Annual Conference Sponsorship.

Each year members from our chapter attend the event and not only get some valuable professional development, but have fun spending time with each other. Join us this year! Get prices and information and download the registration form here>

The conference will be held at the fabulous Gaylord Palms Hotel – Orlando
Visit their site here>

Join us in June for a for a mid-morning hour with the Florida Director of Public and Community Relations from Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Karen Breakell, APR, will join us for a group discussion on a specialized case study about Nemours entry into the competitive central Florida medical community.

June 10
10:30 am – 11:30/noon Brunch
Doubletree Hotel – Cocoa Beach
$15 members, $18 non-members, $12 students
rsvp: Amelia Woodbridge 837-1000

Karen joined Nemours in March 2006 as the director of Nemours community relations. In April 2007 she was promoted to lead public and community relations for Nemours Florida. Karen directs strategy guiding Nemours community engagement, advocacy and sponsorship initiatives and media relations for the State of Florida. A primary goal is integration of public and community relations initiatives throughout Florida to build more favorable brand preference and advocacy for Nemours. Karen also leads the Central Florida Communications Campaign in support of the Nemours Children’s Hospital and developing an engagement strategy to guide Nemours Drive to Excellence in all of our markets.

She is a nationally accredited communications professional with more than twenty years experience. She previously served as Florida communications manager for Progress Energy, and as director of constituent relations in the president’s office at the University of Central Florida. She held a similar position at Walt Disney World Company, developing community programs to build advocacy and support with key leaders.

A graduate of Florida State University and the University of Central Florida, Karen has earned recognition from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for her leadership at the national, regional and local level. She is a member of the League of Women Voters and serves on the Executive Board for BusinessForce.