The International Round Table guest for February is Mary Spio, President of Gen2Media, a fully integrated technology and production company whose patent pending Digital Video Publisher technologies represent the best of what Larry Page of Google calls the “New Media” – i.e. the Internet and all of its variety.

IRT will be held at The Citrus Club on the 18^th floor of the Citrus Tower at Orange and Jackson, downtown Orlando, on Thursday, February 4th from 11:30AM to 2:00PM.  Plenty of networking time.  The cost is $30.00.  Parking is in the Citrus Tower garage on Jackson St.

Mary will tell how she went from Rocket Scientist (no kidding) to creating an on line dating service to Gen2Media. She will tell the effects that social networking is having on business and personal relationships and where she sees digital media trending.

Please send an e-mail or FAX confirming your attendance as there are just seventy seats available and often sell out.  E-mail to tradingwise@cfl.rr.com, or FAX to 321/256-5029. If you have a friend or business associate in international commerce, please share this announcement and bring them along.

Join the Space Coast Chapter of FPRA

and the Space Coast Chapter of the American Advertising Federation

at their Holiday Celebration Social

Doubles Beachside Tiki Bar, December 3rd at 4:00pm.

This is a great chance to meet and mingle with some of the brightest creative minds and best marketers on the Space Coast. All attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Come enjoy live music, Hors d’oeuvres and the spirit of the season. Exciting prizes will be raffled throughout the evening. The event is open to the public and offers the opportunity to network with Admission is $10 for potential members and guests.

The event is free for current members.

For further information, contact Katherine Sonn at 321.243.9520 or sonncenturyoaks@cfl.rr.com.

Join Space Coast FPRA and the Tweet Team

as we welcome Lynnette Leathers

Lynnette Leathers

Topic: Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty:  Why Loyalty Matters

Brief:  Lynnette will discuss Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty as it relates to measuring , managing, and improving your business.

-How do you measure loyalty?
-Why should you measure it?
-Methodologies for tracking your performance
-How the internet has changed the loyalty landscape
-What is a net promoter score?
-Cools ways you can build a loyal relationship with your customers
-Q and A

Lynnette has 20 years of Marketing and Research experience.  She is the President and founder of Mindspot Inc., which specializes in online qualitative and quantitative research and business solutions. Ms. Leathers is a six-sigma greenbelt, published author (2006) on the topic of customer satisfaction and loyalty, and a RIVA trained focus group moderator.  Lynnette holds a BSBA from Montana State University and an MBA from University of Montana and resides in Orlando, Florida.  Lynnette is the Past President of the American Marketing Association of Central Florida (2006-2007).

Ms. Leathers has worked for notable international companies like Kellogg’s, B.A.T., CHEP and MarketTools.  Mindspot Inc. has access to an online panel of 2.5 million consumers in the United States.  Lynnette managed research in 42 countries for CHEP (a division on Brambles Industries – Australia) and has a strong background in International Research.

Mindspot Inc., a global research company that designs research and business solutions that work in today’s fast-paced market. Mindspot Inc. is headquartered in Orlando, Florida and conducts business in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.  This cutting-edge consultancy conducts business in many consumer and B2B verticals and has a client list that includes:  Denny’s, Sylvan Learning Centers, Humana, Space Florida, Lexmark, CHEP, and Vanity Shops.  Mindspot provides a non-profit discount to clients that give back like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) and Count Me In (CMI to promote small business).

Mindspot Inc. is certified by the state of Florida as a woman/minority-owned business.

REGISTER: contact Tina Lange at tlange@cfl.rr.com
LOCATION: Holiday Inn Viera
TIME: Networking 11:30, Noon program
COST: $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2010!
February 17
March 17
April 21

November 18, 2009

Suzie DeBusk presents ‘Understanding Emotional Intelligence at Work’ at our Professional Development luncheon at the Holiday Inn Viera!

Overview:  Despite equal intellectual capacity, training, or experience, some people excel while others of the same caliber lag behind.  Ever wonder why?  More than 25 years of research in the neurological field and specific study about factors contributing to success in the workplace have resulted in breaking through perceptions about intelligence.  Quantifiable data on performance across a myriad of industries and organizations has resulted in a body of study called emotional intelligence (EQ), the “intangibles” that predict success in the workplace.

Highlights & Objectives:  People rarely derail because of the lack of technical skills, but rather because of emotional failings.  This presentation gives leaders a solid understanding of emotional intelligence factors, how EQ impacts the workplace, and competencies related to developing higher levels of emotional intelligence.

At the end of this session, participants will:

1.       Understand the definition of Emotional Intelligence.

2.       Recognize the impact of Emotional Intelligence on the work place.

3.       Learn how Emotional Intelligence is measured.

4.       Learn how to improve their Emotional Intelligence.

Suzie DeBusk is president and founder of three companies including her most recent, CxO Value Partners, Inc., an international consulting company focused on sales, marketing, strategy and leadership. She is a risk-taking adventurer, African guide, professional speaker, serial entrepreneur and leadership best practice thought leader.

Whether it’s coaching CEOs and management teams on how to increase their team’s performances or tromping through rain forests, standing down charging elephants, galloping on a horse through the savannahs of Africa or tossing spears with Masai warriors, Suzie brings a unique, proven approach to drive success through real-world techniques. Through her best practices approach, Suzie turns strategies into action steps that everyone can use.

Suzie’s experience ranges from providing executive and leadership coaching to Fortune 50 executives to sharing proven success methodologies to start-up entrepreneurs. Suzie and her team of facilitators integrate practical business examples with the laws of jungle leadership survival.

Suzie is a featured author in the book, The Advantage of Leadership, released in 2007 and is a contributing author to Space Coast Business Magazine. She has been featured in or interviewed by The Orlando Business Journal, The Charleston Regional Business Journal, Executive Traveler Magazine, Rosewood Magazine, Space Coast Living Magazine, Brevard Technical Journal, US Chamber News, Tampa Bay Tribune, Florida Today and The Hometown News, just to name a few.

A noted keynote and workshop speaker, Suzie uses audience engagement techniques and provides thought-provoking introspection. In a world of commodity communication and management models, Suzie imparts unique strategies that drive performance.

11:30 networking with noon program and lunch.

$20 for members, $25 for non-members

Meal choices include Roast Pork Loin with Stuffing and Baked Apples or Roast Turkey and Dressing with the Trimmings

RSVP by Monday, Nov. 16th to tlange@spaceflorida.gov

January 20, 2010

Lynette Leathers presents ‘Customer Service’ at our Professional Development luncheon at the Holiday Inn Viera.

11:30 networking with noon program and lunch.

$20 for members, $25 for non-members

Meal choices include Chicken Piccata or Roast Beef with Bordelaise Sauce, with Duchess Potatoes and Green Beans Almondine

RSVP by Monday, Jan. 18th to tlange@spaceflorida.gov

**Save the date and look for more details to follow!**

Attendees at the September 16th professional development luncheon were introduced to the world of online dialoguing, courtesy of Julie Arnold, Social Media Manager with Griffin Marketing.

Julie explained that social media is not for amateurs… The well-known we have all heard about (YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Flickr) and the lesser-known but no less powerful (StumbleUpon, Digg, Radian6) tools of the trade are NOT just a fad, but valuable content platforms that YOU should be using in your public relations plans.

If you didn’t catch Julie’s presentation on September 16th, you can join us for Social Media 102 on October 21st where she delivers a more in-depth presentation on strategy and tips to harness the power of social media for your PR campaigns!

Where: Holiday Inn Viera
When: Wednesday Oct 21, 2009
Time: 11:30 registration: 12 Noon Program
Meal selections: Tuscan Chicken with Orzo & Broiled Tomato or Mushroom Ravioli
Cost 20.00 members or 25.00 non members
RVSP: By noon Oct 19, 2009 with your meal choice.  E-mail tlange@spaceflorida.gov

Look forward to more great Professional Development Programming on these upcoming dates:

• November 18th
• January 20th
• February 17th
• March 17th
• April 21st

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!

Make plans now to attend the April program of the Space Coast Chapter of FPRA.

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time: Networking: 11:30am; Lunch/Program at 12:00 noon
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center Melbourne-Viera
8298 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940

Food options: Chicken Artichoke, with sun-dried tomato, served with Duchess Potato. Veggie: Mushroom Ravioli

Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members
RSVP: Katherine Sonn, at 722-4440 or email sonncenturyoaks@cfl.rr.com and PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIVE FOOD CHOICE.

“Video out of the Box: The Ins and Outs of Electronic PR”
With video now in the hands of everyone and the line blurring between traditional news and online entertainment, where should a PR professional focus? Sue Stauffer of Verocity Creative and Roycom Communications, an Orlando-based video production company, will discuss the use of video in PR, including strategic issues for both pro-active and re-active use of the visual medium – both on TV and online.

This multi-media presentation will utilize case studies and video clips of work Verocity and Roycom have done for companies such as Universal Studios in Orlando, Nickelodeon, Burger King and others. Whether you’re seeking 15 minutes of fame, or you find yourself with 15 minutes notice before the TV news crew arrives, this program will help you achieve your maximize your PR spotlight!

Our Speaker – Susan Stauffer
For more than 15 years, Susan has been a catalyst in entertainment communications. With a generalist’s strategic vision and a specialist’s experience on the front line of field execution, Susan has brought passion and performance to the arsenal of a variety of organizations. With roles on both sides of the desk – client and as agency/production company as Account Director or Project Manager/Producer – Susan brings a unique set of skills and resources to address the needs and nuances of any situation.

Susan is currently the principal of Verocity Creative Communications and executive producer in Roycom Communications where she provides turn key production and creative content for a variety of clients. Roycom has just this month announced their merger with the regional production powerhouse, Go To Team, based in Charleston, South Carolina. The combined alliance brings an exciting new level of cutting edge creativity and muscle to an established team with a track record of excellence.