Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA)

?? EVENT POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER?? As of this afternoon, Storm Milton is developing in the Gulf of Mexico and is projected to hit the west coast of Florida this week. The storm's projected path and intensity have led us to postpone October’s event for the safety of our members. We are working with Joel on an alternative date in November and will announce when it is safe to resume programming. Prioritize your safety. We're all in this together and we'll be there for each other on the other side. Sarasota County - https://lnkd.in/eKgCMEWn Manatee County - https://lnkd.in/eUBUBBM8 DeSoto County - https://lnkd.in/eXQB-scM

Join us for Pizza, Pies & Cocktails for a Purpose! As our community continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, we’re coming together for a special member mixer on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Pie on Main (1507 Main Street, Sarasota). Enjoy light appetizers, pizza, and cocktails while we raise funds for the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund and Season of Sharing both funds powered by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County! Plus, anyone who donates will receive “Pie on Main bucks” to come back and enjoy more pizza later! And here’s the best part: Joseph Curley, APR, CPRC, a longtime CWC-FPRA member and board member, will match member's donations made that evening! So whether your gift is large or small, it will make twice the impact! Let’s come together for a great cause and help our community rebuild! #CWCFRPA #HurricaneHeleneRecovery #SarasotaStrong #CommunityForACause #PizzaAndPurpose

Our October professional development is a little over a week away! You never know when a crisis might strike, unfortuantely many of us learned that last week during Hurricane Helene. Joel Staley, a 25-year corporate communications veteran will help you be more prepared for next time as he presents “Preventing a Crisis Before it Happens" on Oct. 9. Join us! >>>> https://lnkd.in/eQJfQAUf

We’re highlighting members’ stories and experiences with FPRA in our new blog series! Our first member to fill us in was Nathaniel Sweetman, Sports Marketing Coordinator for Visit Sarasota County. Read about his time with FPRA, and don't forget that it's time to renew that membership! Read more >>>>>https://lnkd.in/erJJaX8Q

Joel Staley, a 25-year corporate communications veteran, shares insights into media training and why it's important to keep our spokespeople ready for interviews. In this episode, features stories and advice given by Joel during his "Media Training the C-Suite" professional development event, in addition to a one-on-one interview.? ? Joel will be joining the Central West Coast Chapter again for a professional development event on October 9, 2024. The event will focus on crisis communications. To learn more or to sign up for the event, visit?https://lnkd.in/gx7ENACE

That moment when the trivia host changes your team name to “The Hemmerdingers” in honor of your Director of Membership… ?????? We had a blast playing Trivia Challenge at Geckos on Clark Road on Monday night! Our team of 14+ strong PR pros (aptly dubbed “The Spellcheckers”) may not have won first place, but we were a shoe-in for Most Team Spirit! Interested in joining in on the fun? Follow our social media pages and stay tuned for more upcoming events!

Saturday, October 26, 8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. SMH Marketing Office Are you ready to take the next step in your professional career? As a skilled public relations professional, you know that your success is dependent on staying relevant, resourceful and inspired. The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential affirms your drive, professionalism, and principles, setting you apart from your peers and positioning you as a leader and mentor in the competitive public relations field. Our chapter is thrilled to return this year to an in-person format for the APR Bootcamp, which will address the application process, the KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) you’ll need to study, and the elements of the panel presentation and online exam. This session will be led by CWC’s Accreditation co-chairs Jennifer Moss Wilson, APR, CPRC and Sharon Kunkel, APR, CPRC, with additional presenters to address the various KSAs. This event is free but space is limited and advance registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Register by emailing Sharon Kunkel, APR, CPRC >>>[email protected]

Calling all trivia buffs! Get ready for a fun-filled night of brainpower and brews with the CWC-FPRA crew! Join us for Trivia Night at Gecko’s on Clark Road (5585 Palmer Crossing Circle, Sarasota) on Monday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. We absolutely crushed it last time, and now it’s time to defend our title—are you up for the challenge? Come early! Please arrive between 7:00 and 7:15 p.m. to assemble the ultimate trivia team. This month’s CWC-FPRA membership social is free—so why not grab a drink, show off your trivia chops, and have some fun? Curious about CWC-FPRA? Come on out and find out what we're about first-hand! Got questions? Reach out to Jen Hemmerdinger at [email protected] or text/call 603-547-7219. Don't miss out—see you there!

Membership renewal season is HERE, and we have a brand-new platform - Glue Up! Be sure to set up your profile to connect with fellow members and stay in the loop. Check your inbox for your exclusive invite to Glue Up, where you can create your profile and start engaging with our community. We strongly recommend that you use your same email and login credentials that you previously have on the website. This will help ensure a seamless transition to the new membership platform. If you haven’t received your invite or have questions, please reach out to your Chapter's VP/Director of Membership. Let’s make this renewal season the best one yet!

Gone are the days when you have a crisis communications plan binder gathering dust on the shelf. Join us Oct. 9 at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Philanthropy Center. Joel Staley, a 25-year corporate communications veteran presents “Preventing a Crisis Before it Happens.” His experience leading crisis teams for the world’s largest PR firms includes defending against a CBS News 60 Minutes assault which earned Joel and his team a PRSA Radiance Award for best crisis communications campaign. Joel shares tactics and techniques for conducting an organizational vulnerabilities assessment as well as guidance on generating crisis scenario plans that mitigate the discovered vulnerabilities. Secure your spot now: https://lnkd.in/ex6JT8MY