Bay Area Communicators Summit and Image Awards Luncheon
Friday, April 28
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | The Centre Club (123 South Westshore Blvd., Tampa)
This year we are extremely excited to bring back the Tampa Bay Communicator Summit program in conjunction with our annual Image Awards Ceremony. We look forward to hosting some of the best communication experts in our area to deliver an educational and practical program with a focus on modern-day PR. We will also recognize some of our area’s best of the best at our Image Awards Ceremony. Mark your calendars for an amazing Friday shared with your peers at the stunning Centre Club.
Visit this page to learn more about the speaker lineup and presentation descriptions. Register on Eventbrite »
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Past Events
March Professional Development
Monday, March 27
Noon | Zoom
Pull up a virtual seat because you won’t want to miss our fireside chat with Judy Silverstein Gray, an experienced author and public relations professional. Throughout her pursuits, Judy has drawn on her fascination with storytelling to craft narratives about innovators and unlikely trailblazers.
Judy’s new book, Unwavering, releases in June. She has written numerous military profiles and feature articles about women leaders for news outlets, including The Tampa Tribune, published six books for young readers and has work appearing in two literary anthologies. The third generation of her family to serve in the military, Judy is a retired Coast Guard chief petty officer who had a front row seat to historic events through her public affairs work.
Judy spent 10 years working as a park ranger and PIO for the National Park Service. She also has a Master of Public Health and worked in regional disaster preparedness for the healthcare sector at the Florida Department of Health for nearly nine years. She is an adjunct instructor teaching Marketing and Public Health Campaigns in the graduate program at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University where she attended graduate school. Currently, she works as a strategic communications consultant with public sector clients and lives with her husband in Tampa.
FPRA members and student members are free. There is a $10 fee for non-members.
February Professional Development
Friday, Feb. 22
8-9 a.m. | Zoom
This free event allows you to bring a PR challenge you’re currently facing to workshop solutions with like-minded professionals. What is shared on the call, stays on the call!
January Professional Development
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Noon to 1 p.m. | Zoom
Join us virtually to hear from Scott Glaser, the executive director of ESPN Events. Scott will share how bowl games impact local communities. Free for members & students; $10 for non-members
Image Awards Info Session
Wednesday, Jan. 18
11 a.m. to Noon | Zoom
This is a joint session of the Tampa Bay and Dick Pope/Polk County FPRA chapters and free to all. Come join us for this virtual session to learn more about the annual FPRA Image Awards competition and how to create an award-winning entry. The Image Award entry deadline is March 6.
December Holiday Mixer
Wednesday, Dec. 14
6-8 p.m. | Coppertail Brewing Company (2601 E 2nd Ave., Tampa – across from Ikea)
Mingle with fellow FPRA members at our holiday mixer and chapter awards ceremony presentation. The awards ceremony originally scheduled for Sept. 30 was cancelled because of Hurricane Ian, so we want to take a little time to recognize the incredible talent within the chapter at this event. Non-members, friends and family are welcome to attend this casual event. Dinner is included in the ticket price, and there will be a cash bar. Members and non-members: $40; Students: $25
November Professional Development
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Noon to 1 p.m. | Zoom
During this virtual event, we’ll learn about what it takes to lead a woman- and minority-certified public relations firm and a statewide conference. Our guest, Arlene DiBenigno, is the managing partner at Conversa Co and President/CEO of the Women’s Conference of Florida, Inc. You won’t want to miss hearing about her diverse leadership experience and advice for other practitioners. FPRA members and student members are free. There is a $10 fee for non-members.
September Chapter Event
Friday, Sept. 30
1-3 p.m. | EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College (13805 58th St. N, Clearwater)
This event was canceled due to Hurricane Ian. Awards and Swearing-in ceremony – Join us for a networking lunch to celebrate this past year and transition to the next. We have some incredible talent at FPRA Tampa Bay. Let’s take the time to recognize them!
July Professional Development
Wednesday, July 27
Noon to 1 p.m. | Zoom
Proactive Pitching: How to Hit is Out of the Park…Join us on Zoom to learn how to develop trust-based relationships with the media and story ideas reporters love to cover along with tips to help you prepare for a media interview. Robyn Felix, APR, provides strategic leadership in her position at the Southwest Florida Water Management District. She will share a variety of real-world examples and practical tips from her more than 26 years of experience in television news, media relations and public relations in the Tampa Bay area. FPRA members and student members are free. There is a $10 fee for non-members.
June Professional Development
Thursday, June 23
Noon to 1 p.m. | Zoom
May Professional Development
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College (13805 58th St. N, Clearwater)
April Professional Development and Image Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, April 27
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Brio Tuscan Grille at International Plaza/Bay Street
Join us for an in-person, lunch and learn event! You do not want to miss hearing from keynote speaker Veronica Cintron, VP of Communications, at the Tampa International Airport and former Spectrum Bay News 9 award-winning evening anchor. Veronica will speak about managing communications during unprecedented times at the airport. Additionally, let’s celebrate! We will present the Image Awards highlighting the outstanding work of our members. Price: Members $40; Non-members $50; Students $20.
March Professional Development
Creative Media Solutions that Deliver Business Success
Our FPRA chapter is joining forces with the Tampa Bay Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapter to present a special Lunch & Learn discussion! Please join us to learn tips and techniques on how to deliver PR success through the use of creative media strategies. Two seasoned PR professionals will join us for this specially-designed Lunch and Learn collaborative session to share: How to capture media attention in today’s fast-paced world and Applying new PR strategies to drive business results. FPRA and PRSA members and student members are free. A discounted price will be offered to AAA employees.
Thursday, March 10
Noon to 1 p.m. | Zoom
FPRA State Conference
FPRA’s state conference is an amazing time to learn and grow professionally as well as network with your PR peers from across the state. The next conference will be August 6-9, 2023, at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando. Visit this webpage for more information, and make plans now to join us!