Parks PR, LLC

Tampa Bay area architects are optimistic about the outlook for west-central Florida real estate development in 2025, but that is tempered by concerns about higher costs, possible tariffs and the impacts of 2024’s hurricanes. That was the upshot from AIA Tampa Bay’s annual Voice of Architecture survey. Each year, AIA Tampa Bay asks its member architects about the future: They are uniquely suited to weigh in because they get involved so early in development projects. Tied to the survey, which was covered in the?St. Pete Catalyst (https://lnkd.in/ezJCC7YW)?and the Business Observer (https://lnkd.in/eHX5Q8e8), AIA holds a panel discussion each year about the results. I’ve been pleased to moderate the discussion for a number of years, and we had an excellent panel of real estate experts at last week’s event - Katie Cole of Hill Ward Henderson, Will Conroy of Backstreets Capital, Jason Jensen of WJ Architects, and Toby Manulak of Moss.

Host Bill Gilliland and I covered a wide range of topics related to public relations in my recent appearance on the Epic Entrepreneurs podcast. A few highlights from my comments: - "Up to about maybe 20 years ago, public relations was simply seen as media relations. … But as the media has shrunk (which we've seen happen in Asheville and the Tampa Bay area), it's more and more important not only to keep working with the news media, but also to work with all the different channels at your disposal as an organization.” - "Obviously, today's conversation often touches on AI. …?Certainly, I have found that AI is a great research tool. It’s a good starter kit.?But the idea that AI is going to speak to your target audience in a way that's going to encourage them to take action and to trust your client? We're just not there yet." - “You will learn as much or more from the people who don't sign up for your product or service (for businesses) or who don't give you money (for nonprofits). ….?By getting to those answers, you can adjust your communications to get the response you want, because you're learning why people are saying no." Thank you to Beth Lemmel of ActionCoach in Asheville for getting me on the podcast - I encourage anyone who cares about current business trends to check it out. https://lnkd.in/eJCbyRZC

As a new Board of Directors member for Blue Ridge Public Radio, I couldn’t be more proud of how BPR has cemented its place as Western North Carolina’s go-to news source since Hurricane Helene. After Helene hit the Asheville area on September 27, much of the region was without power and internet for days. Residents would get in their cars to listen to the station’s nonstop coverage. And the 11 a.m. City of Asheville updates on BPR each day were not to be missed, with BPR news director Laura Lee asking city officials the questions everyone was wondering about. As the area started to move from crisis to recovery, the staff kept going nonstop. For example, I connected BPR reporter Gerard Albert III with the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a story offering tips for avoiding unscrupulous contractors. As we set up the interview with BABRM’s Megan Carroll, Gerard said most anytime would work for her to visit the station. “After all, I’m sleeping here right now,” he said. The BPR Board of Directors held an event to thank the staff last week for its storm coverage (the Board is pictured at the event). It was great to see the turnout from the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board, and to hear from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and incoming Buncombe County Chair Amanda Edwards about their love of BPR. In a geographic area where traditional news outlets are shrinking, BPR is filling the void, both through audio reports and its well-read website. I’m excited to find ways to support the station: Public radio is more important than ever, and the Asheville area needs the strong, wide-ranging coverage that BPR offers.

I’ve heard this phrase several times over the past 10 days: “Crisis and stress bring out the best in people and the worst in people." The damage caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina towns like Swannanoa and Chimney Rock is horrific, but seeing the community come together has truly been inspiring. Neighbors are helping neighbors, and residents are volunteering all over town to help local nonprofits' relief efforts. Supplies are pouring in, but the challenge is getting supplies to people who are cut off from the world because so many roads are washed out. The answer: organizing groups to deliver supplies by foot, and dropping supplies by helicopter. My West Asheville house escaped damage, thankfully, but so many friends and colleagues are in difficult situations. Two of Parks PR’s Asheville area clients are doing their part to help: - The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is working with BeLoved Asheville on relief efforts, while getting the word out through outlets like the?Asheville Citizen-Times (https://lnkd.in/e9EQfNGX) with tips for avoiding scammer contractors. In the coming weeks, Parks PR will be working with BABRM and the National Association of Home Builders to create resource materials for people looking to rebuild. - The Land of the Sky Association of Realtors has been organizing supply pickups and deliveries, while helping its Realtor members navigate this challenging time. Parks PR is working with LOTSAR to have a continual stream of news and tips via e-blasts and LOTSAR's social media?channels (https://lnkd.in/eXyuMCuZ). One of the best summations of the situation in Asheville I’ve seen over the past few days has been this?episode?of Al Jazeera's The Take (https://lnkd.in/e_gAUHuH), which includes Megan Carroll of BABRM talking about BeLoved Asheville’s efforts. How can you help? Consider donating to?BeLoved Asheville (https://lnkd.in/eDvRhbJt), or other area nonprofits that are making a difference, like?Brother Wolf Rescue (https://lnkd.in/etSKqs_E)?or?Manna Food Bank (https://lnkd.in/dEnShwga).

Buyer demographics are changing for luxury home sales in Western North Carolina, as more working professionals enter a market long dominated by retirees. As an example, Vernon and Marie Krause, who own 23 vehicle dealerships in four states, recently bought a $8.5 million home in The Cliffs of Walnut Cove just south of Asheville. It’s the highest-priced sale in the history of The Cliffs Communities, and the highest year to date in the Asheville area. News outlets covering the sale ranged from the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer to the Asheville Citizen-Times and Business North Carolina. Parks PR is pleased to work with client Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks and its affiliate Walnut Cove Realty, which facilitated both sides of the transaction. Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks is the dominant residential real estate company in Western North Carolina.

The TradeWinds Island Resorts is moving forward with an expansion that will feature everything from new beach access points, to more restaurants and retail, to a rooftop open to the public. Parks PR assisted with community outreach and handled media relations for TradeWinds owner 1754 Properties. The company’s leadership proactively addressed concerns in such areas as traffic and wildlife protection, showing a genuine commitment to working with the community. The approval by the St. Pete Beach City Commission drew wide media attention in outlets such as the St. Pete Catalyst, the Tampa Bay Times, WFLA-Channel 8 and WTVT-Fox 13. St. Pete Catalyst: https://lnkd.in/e-h_7CM8 Tampa Bay Times: https://lnkd.in/eFZPbD8P WFLA-Channel 8: https://lnkd.in/e8S29erS WTVT-Fox 13: https://lnkd.in/eEmz9A7W

TradeWinds Island Resorts is all-in when it comes to protecting sea turtles hatching on the beach behind its property. The St. Pete Beach hotel, a Parks PR client, is doing everything from building educational displays to making a $5-million plan to add window tinting so room lights won’t confuse turtles at night.?Fox 13?(https://lnkd.in/etpjNwfM) and the?St. Pete Catalyst (https://lnkd.in/eXnfHGtK) did informative stories on the program.

It’s a year of cautious optimism for Tampa Bay’s real estate development industry, as higher interest rates continue to be a challenge. That was the upshot as Parks PR principal Kyle Parks moderated a panel to discuss results of the annual AIA Tampa Bay “Voice of Architecture” survey this week. The survey serves to predict the future, since architects are involved so early in development projects. The panel included Katie Cole of Hill Ward Henderson, Josh Bomstein of Creative Contractors, Rachael Brown of the Bank of Tampa, and Angela Hendershot of Rowe Architects. The survey results and panel event were covered by a number of news outlets, including the St. Pete Catalyst (https://lnkd.in/eAhNAGb4) and the Business Observer (https://lnkd.in/daE9um4X).