Loading…
FPRA’s 79th Annual Conference "It’s Personal: Research. Relate. Respond." is a four day conference of unparalleled professional development and networking for public relations professionals. 

Attendees will hear from major industry and thought leaders who will provide the inspiration, motivation and affirmation needed to help rocket your PR efforts to new heights.

This year’s conference will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando from August 6th to 9th.

This year’s blogging team consists of Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC, Susan Vernon-Devlin, Amelia Bell, APR, CPRC, Amanda Handley, APR, Katarina Dos Santos, Laura Kern, APR. Mollt Kellogg-Schmauch, Robyn LaPorta, Rachel Denton, Kim Livengood, Erin Morton, APR, CPRC, Sarah Coulson, Erin Knothe, Sarah Hansen, Brandi Gomez, Stella Harbilas, APR, Alyssa Holcomb and Maria Isabel Sanquirico. Follow their work here.

Conference attire is professional business. Please note that the average temperature in the hotel is 72 degrees. To ensure comfort, attendees may want to have a sweater or jacket available.

For the President’s Welcome Reception, casual attire is recommended. As this year’s theme is Harry Potter, attendees are encouraged to wear house-themed clothing.

The Golden Image Awards Banquet is formal wear, black-tie optional. 

Featured Speakers

avatar for Ann Rhoades

Ann Rhoades

People Ink
President
avatar for Scott Stanzel

Scott Stanzel

Amazon
Director of Corporate Communications
avatar for Susan MacManus, Ph.D

Susan MacManus, Ph.D

USF, Department of Government and International Affairs
Distinguished Professor
avatar for Mary Lunghi

Mary Lunghi

IKEA U.S.
Director of Business Analytics & Consumer Insights
avatar for Colby B. Jubenville, Ph.D

Colby B. Jubenville, Ph.D

Red Herring Innovation and Design
Principal
avatar for Heather Fagan

Heather Fagan

City of Orlando
Deputy Chief of Staff
avatar for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

City of Orlando
Mayor

Speakers

avatar for Amelia Bell, APR, CPRC

Amelia Bell, APR, CPRC

Communications Manager, RTI Surgical
FPRA Counselors' Network Chair
CB

Chad Binette

UCF Marketing at University of Central Florida
Assistant Vice President
avatar for Adam Sharples Brooks, Ph.D

Adam Sharples Brooks, Ph.D

University of Alabama
Assistant Director of Public Speaking
PB

Patrick Burt

University of Central Florida News and Information
Assistant Vice President
avatar for Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC

Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
Director of Communications
avatar for David Capece

David Capece

SPARXOO
Founder & CEO
avatar for Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC

Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC

Cox Communications
Communications Manager
avatar for Josh Davies

Josh Davies

The Center for Work Ethic Development
CEO
avatar for Chris Gent, APR, CPRC

Chris Gent, APR, CPRC

Kissimmee Utility Authority
Director of Corporate Communications
avatar for Ryan Gerds, APR, CPRC

Ryan Gerds, APR, CPRC

FPRA State President-Elect
avatar for Heather Grzelka, APR

Heather Grzelka, APR

Madeira Public Relations
Principal
avatar for Lanette Hart, APR, CPRC

Lanette Hart, APR, CPRC

Hart & Associates
Principal/Owner
avatar for Mark Jenkins

Mark Jenkins

AAA
Senior Public Relations Program Coordinator
avatar for Kristen Knapp, APR, CPRC

Kristen Knapp, APR, CPRC

Florida Health Care Association
Director of Communications
avatar for Erich Kron

Erich Kron

KnowBe4
Security Awareness Advocate
avatar for Alyson Lundell, APR, CPRC

Alyson Lundell, APR, CPRC

Director of Public Relations, Universal Orlando Resort
FPRA VP of Golden Image
avatar for Gabriel Marguglio

Gabriel Marguglio

Nextiny Marketing
CEO
avatar for Michelle Leff Mermelstein, APR

Michelle Leff Mermelstein, APR

Sprint Nextell
PR Manager
avatar for Jay Morgan-Schleuning, APR, CPRC

Jay Morgan-Schleuning, APR, CPRC

Authentic Reputations, LLC
Owner
avatar for Elizabeth Ninomiyia

Elizabeth Ninomiyia

JetBlue Airways, Latin America & the Caribbean
Manager of Corporate Communications
avatar for Larry J. Parnell, M.B.A.

Larry J. Parnell, M.B.A.

The George Washington University
Associate Professor and Program Director, Masters in Strategic PR
avatar for Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC

Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC

FPRA Immediate Past President
avatar for Roy Reid, APR, CPRC

Roy Reid, APR, CPRC

Adventist Health System - Florida Division
Executive Director of Communications
avatar for Carole Savage, APR, CPRC

Carole Savage, APR, CPRC

Executive Director, PACE Center Marion
FPRA VP of LeadershipFPRA
avatar for Jan Horton Spence

Jan Horton Spence

Jan Spence and Associates
Principal
avatar for Karen Swim

Karen Swim

Words for Hire
Strategic Public Relations and Marketing Consultant
avatar for Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner

AT&T
Senior Content Strategist