Last Friday’s Roast & Toast event was a great success, drawing 115 guests and FPRA members. The evening included the presentation of the 2009 PR Professional of the Year Award to Jessica Rye, APR, and the 2009 Chapter Awards. Carey Beam was chosen as the Rising Star; Mat Haggar received the Doris Fleischman Award and Geo Ropert was named Member of the Year. We celebrated our chapter’s 25th anniversary recognizing our Past PResident’s in attendance and guest roasters David Brock, Bill Ellis and Jack Rood “Roasted” Sandy Sanderson. Tweets were coming in all during the evening with fun messages and info for Jessica and Sandy, and our tropical room and food was a hit with guests. The coconut shrimp and Blue Hawaii cocktails started the evening with a tasty twist. Our state President, Lanette Hart, APR, CPRC, attended and Emcee Mike Rein kept the evening lively and entertaining!

Jessica Rye, APR, says a few words after receiving her “toast” and award.

2009 Rising Star, Carey Beam

2009 recipient of the Doris Fleischman Award, Mat Haggar

2009 Member of the Year, Geo Ropert, APR

Past President’s in attendance from left: Linda Herridge, Cindy Calhoun, Suzanne Sparling, APR, Jessica Rye, APR, Marilyn Waters, APR, and our First chapter President in 1984, Dick Baumbach.

Roastee Sandy Sanderson is a good sport laughing at the jokes of his friends.

Welcome to an Evening of Tropical Elegance

The year’s biggest event for the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is just weeks away — the 2009 Roast & Toast! Plans are moving forward and we have many new and fun things in store this year (but you’ll have to come to find out)!

Mike Rein of United Launch Alliance will join us again as Emcee as we raise a glass to toast PR Professional of the Year, Jessica Rye, APR, Senior Manager of Regional Communications for ATK Launch Systems and Roast community leader, Sandy Sanderson, Central Florida Area Manager, Florida Power & Light.

The celebration marks the 25th Anniversary of the Space Coast Chapter – come and meet some of our past leaders. We’ll also install our new chapter leadership for next year.

RSVP today!

Event Details

August 28, 2009
6:30 pm cocktails; 7 pm dinner and program
$55 per person
Entree Options: Steak Asada, Potato-Encrusted White Fish or Grilled Portobello Mushroom & Vegetables
Attire: Cocktail or business formal
Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront – AIA
RSVP by Friday, August 21 to Katherine Sonn 722-4440 or via e-mail at sonncenturyoaks@cfl.rr.com

Thank you to our sponsors!