Weathering the Storm – Lessons from the 2024 Hurricane Season
Just before the start of another hurricane season, join us for an insightful exploration into the critical strategies that emerged during the historic 2024 hurricane season in Tampa Bay, which brought impacts from three storms. This multi-speaker event is designed for communicators who seek to enhance their crisis management skills from real-life examples and lessons learned. Lunch is included. Register through April 24.
Sessions:
The Unspoken Truth About Hurricane Communications
In 2024, Pinellas County faced a devastating blow from two back-to-back major hurricanes. This is the story of how the county’s communications team dove beyond the traditional crisis strategy and tackled a new set of communications challenges. Key presentation takeaways: how to plan the unknown secondary crises, how to staff for success, how to demonstrate ROI and retain your seat at the table.
Combating Misinformation During a Storm
Misinformation continues to be a growing threat for our country and our organizations. Learn how the Southwest Florida Water Management District tackled the surge of misinformation during Hurricane Milton and how these tactics can apply to other scenarios.
Dr. Cynthia Johnson’s presentation summary is coming soon.
Speaker Bios:
Robyn Felix, APR, is the bureau chief of Communications & Board Services for the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) and provides strategic leadership for communications and outreach to internal and external audiences, strategic planning efforts and support services to the District’s Executive Team and 13- member Governing Board. Felix has more than 19 years of experience at the District, serving in a variety of roles. Robyn earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications
(news) from the University of Florida.
Dr. Cynthia Johnson is the director of Pinellas County Economic Development and the executive director of Pinellas County’s Economic Development Authority. Since 2000, she has been a leader in the organization and is a trusted adviser to businesses large and small, government agencies, policymakers and community leaders throughout Florida. She is a proud graduate of Florida Memorial University, Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and holds a doctorate in educational leadership &
organization from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale.
Barbra Rigaud, APR, CPRC, is the senior manager for Customer Marketing at Unite Us, the nation’s premier technology provider for transforming social care. In her role, she works with Pinellas County to promote Care About Me, an innovative program that connects residents with mental health, substance use and addiction treatment services. She previously served as the director of communications for Pinellas County government, where she led public information and community engagement for nine years. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in public communications. She earned a master’s degree in magazine, newspaper and online journalism from Syracuse University.
Past Events
April – Unlocking the Benefits of Social Research: Turning Insights Into Impact
Join Robin Grantham, lead communications strategist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, as she demystifies using research to achieve campaign success, connect with your coworkers and impress your bosses. Research results don’t have to be boring! Instead, learn how to conduct cost-effective research to make huge impacts for your organization. Validate team initiatives, attract talent and deliver resonating messages to your audience. Robin has more than a decade of experience overseeing the research for award-winning campaigns. Don’t miss out on her secrets to research success.
In her position in water management, Robin Grantham oversees water conservation education efforts and manages social research programs used to design messages and education programs that lead to the conservation and protection of water resources. A few of the many campaigns resulting from this research include the award-winning “My Home. My Springs”, “It’s my Life’s Work” and “One Water Florida” campaigns. Robin also administers the Florida Water Star℠ program, a chief water conservation effort that has led to nearly 3 billion gallons of water savings every year. She also is a member of the FPRA Ocala Chapter.
March – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Insider Tour
Join us for this members-only exclusive event hosted by the Tampa Bay and Dick Pope/Polk County FPRA chapters. We’ll visit One Buc Place at the Advent Health Training Facility in Tampa where Casey Phillips, team reporter and Nelson Luis, chief communications officer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will share their communications strategy and their experience working on a national level. Members also will tour parts of the Buc’s training facility, onsite studio and press room.
February – Florida Legislative Forecast 2025
Join Shawn Foster, Founder and President of Sunrise Consulting Group, for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process. His insight into both the legislative and public relations fields will offer a unique perspective on how outreach strategies overlap. Foster will discuss the major bills making their way through the process this year and how decisions are made behind closed doors. Just before the regular legislative session kicks off, let’s talk politics and learn how the sausage is made.
February – FPRA Tampa Bay Nachos and Networking
Join us for Nachos and Networking on National Tortilla Chip Day! Don’t miss your chance to make fresh connections with PR professionals and aspiring students from Tampa Bay.
January – Leading and Communicating with Ethics
From political influences to AI advances, communicators face a growing number of ethical issues. The Central West Coast and Tampa Bay FPRA chapters offer a deep dive into how to navigate various ethical challenges. During this half-day professional development program, multiple experts will discuss potential ethical minefields, talk about real-world examples and touch on future obstacles. The session includes lunch and will be followed by an optional networking happy hour. Note: The event qualifies for .5 CEUs toward the ethics requirement for APR renewal. The speaker lineup will be announced soon.
December – FPRA Tampa Bay Chapter Holiday Mixer
Join us for a fun and casual evening with friends at our holiday mixer at Gigglewaters Social Club in Safety Harbor on Dec. 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include networking, dinner and a private holiday movie screening. Nonmembers, friends and family are also welcome at this event. Tickets are limited, so don’t delay.
November – Virtual Lunch and Learn: The Mastermind of the Taylor Swift Brand
Are you ready for it? Take an inside look at the University of Miami’s hottest strategic communicationsc ourse centered around the global superstar Taylor Swift. Dr. Alyse Lancaster, vice dean for Academic Affairs for Miami’s School of Communications, will highlight how concepts like branding, advertising, public relations, audience-building, communication, social media and storytelling are applied to the creation and growth of Taylor Swift’s billion-dollar brand. She’ll share why she started the headline-making course and tidbits you can take away from Taylor’s success.
Wednesday Nov. 6
September – Lunch and Learn
In this lunch and learn, we’ll examine the practical uses of Artificial Intelligence in your everyday work. Angel Hernandez, a public communications specialist certified in AI Fundamentals and Applications, will walk us through some of the available programs and technologies you could be using right now to enhance your communications products from news releases and social media to strategic communication plans and customer engagement. Learn how to be more efficient while also avoiding the pitfalls and ethical issues that come with this constantly changing digital frontier.
Friday, Sept. 20
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | The EpiCenter (13805 58th St. N., Clearwater)
July – Networking Event
Wednesday, July 17 | 6-8 p.m.
World of Beer (5311 Avion Park Dr., Tampa, FL 33607)
May Professional Development: The Future of USF Athletics
Join USF Vice President and Athletic Director, Michael Kelly, to learn about the exciting future of USF Athletics and how that future will enhance USF’s reputation on a national level. Kelly will address the impact the new indoor practice facility will have on USF and discuss plans for a new 35,000-seat on-campus football stadium. Kelly will also discuss the new rules concerning how college athletes manage their Name, Image and Likeness and what to expect from USF.
Wednesday, May 15
Noon | University of South Florida (The event will be held in the reception area at the new $22 million Porter Family Performance Facility. The address is 12700 USF Sycamore Drive, Tampa, FL 33620.)
Spring Social and Service
Help FPRA Tampa Bay celebrate Earth Day on April 13 by giving back to our local community. Join us for a beach cleanup at Ben T. Davis Park followed by a networking lunch next door at Whiskey Joe’s.
Saturday, April 13
March Professional Development: Golden Image Awards Informational Session
Want to be recognized for the amazing work you do? Enter the Golden Image Awards! Participate in this information session to learn about the program and the new online submission form. The two-page entry summary has been replaced with a new online entry form where applicants will provide content in a text box for each category. Click here to learn more about the event and to register.
Tuesday, Mar. 26
Noon
February Professional Development: Navigating PR this Election Year
As communicators, it’s important we understand how to find the truth in the information we see and receive, understand the impact of social media on polarization and communication, and decipher that information to relay messages accurately. The Central West Coast and Tampa Bay FPRA chapters joined together to bring an engaging half-day program at The Poynter Institute — a global leader in journalism.
Wednesday, Feb. 21
8:45 a.m. – Noon
January Professional Development: Marketing and Metrics KPIs
Metrics can be complicated, but they don’t have to be with the tips you’ll learn from Mike Wells, chief marketing officer for GOLDLAW.
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Noon – 1 p.m. | Zoom
December Holiday Mixer
Wednesday, Dec. 6
6-8 p.m. | Coppertail Brewing Company (2601 E 2nd Ave., Tampa)
November Professional Development: Making a Multicultural Connection
How do you build your brand and your audience through compelling storytelling? Learn how the University of South Florida, one of the nation’s top 50 public universities and member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), engages students and alumni, donors and community members through strategic multi-media stories that excite, delight and touch hearts. Dan Caterinicchia, USF’s interim vice president and chief marketing officer, will share tips on elevating your organization with some lively storytelling of his own.
Thursday, Nov. 16
Noon – 1 p.m. | University of South Florida (USF Patel College of Global Sustainability – Conference Room; 11710 USF Genshaft Dr., Tampa, FL 33620)
October Professional Development: Build Your Brand Through Storytelling
Public relations practitioners should be integrating Hispanic cultural strategy in their everyday campaigns as the Latino population continues to climb and becomes a majority group in many areas. One major aspect of that work is to include Spanish-language media and their audiences in media relations outreach. Join us for a program with José Luis Dieppa, FPRA member and external communications manager at AdventHealth, on how to make a cultural connection and build relationship with Hispanic media.
Friday, Oct. 27
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | The EpiCenter (13805 58th St. N., Clearwater)
September Professional Development
Now What? Are These Public Relations Trends Headed to Your Workplace? Grab your coffee and join FPRA Tampa Bay to hear what trends in public relations may be coming to your workplace in the next year. We’ll discuss AI, economic instability, the social media shift, and more.
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8:30 a.m. | Zoom
“Ethics in Public Relations – Is it an Oxymoron?” August Lunch and Learn Event
Dr. Patricia Whalen will review key ethical concepts to help public relations professionals drive ethical behavior in their organizations. Using current examples from today’s headlines, she makes the case that poor ethical decision making drives most of today’s PR crises and demonstrates how public relations practitioners can guide an organization to do the right thing.