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81st Annual Conference

FPRA’s 81st Annual Conference "We Are FPRA: PRoactive. PRincipled. PRofessionals." is a four-day conference of unparalleled professional development and networking for public relations professionals.

Attendees will hear from world-class speakers hailing from top global corporations, powerhouse industries and national public relations and marketing firms to hone their craft and to ensure they stay relevant for today’s communications challenges.

This year’s conference will be held at the Tampa Marriott Water Street property in downtown Tampa from August 4-7, 2019. Check out the property’s amenities here!

Make the most of your time in Tampa! See what events are going on around the area during conference here!

Register for FPRA’s 81st Annual Conference here!

2:00pm EDT

The Value of Earning Accreditation

APR is considered the mark of distinction for those who demonstrate commitment to the profession and its ethical practice. Currently, there are more than 5,000 public relations professionals worldwide who have earned this voluntary credential. Find out how you can join them. Leading this session will be VP of Accreditation and Certification Ginger Broslat, APR, CPRC.
DRESS: BUSINESS CASUAL OR RESORT CASUAL

Sunday August 4, 2019 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Meeting Room 8, 3rd Floor

Professional Development

2:45pm EDT

The Value of Earning Certification

Have you earned your APR? Take your distinction further by becoming a Certified Public Relations Counselor. Join this informative session to learn how you can prepare for the CPRC exam. To sit for the exam, you must have your APR designation and have at least 10 years of public relations experience.
DRESS: BUSINESS CASUAL OR RESORT CASUAL

Sunday August 4, 2019 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Meeting Room 8, 3rd Floor

Professional Development

9:00am EDT

Opening Session: Living Life at Performance Level

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Inspired by 25 years in the entertainment industry, this dynamic keynote is highly interactive and will provide you tools to ignite your ultimate potential. Using a simple but profound metaphor, Curtis Zimmerman will showcase the impact you can have being the director; writing your script; casting your show widely; being a star in your life and living the dream. Led by: Curtis Zimmerman, speaker and author
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Curtis Zimmerman

Speaker and Author

Curtis Zimmerman, speaker and author, has impacted more than one million people around the globe with his life-changing message. He expertly accelerates culture change, energizes organizations and inspiresgreater accountability to keep companies competitive and focused.Audiences connect... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Salons E-F (Grand Ballroom)

Professional Development

10:25am EDT

Breakout 1A: Panel on Communicating Effectively in a Natural Disaster

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An EF-3 tornado directly hits Jacksonville University in northeast Alabama. Hurricane Michael causes massive damage in the Florida Panhandle. Join a panel of PR professionals who share their experience during these events, as well as tips on how others can effectively communicate when Mother Nature strikes. This panel presentation will feature Buffy Lockette, APR, who is the director of public relations at Jacksonville State University and April Salter, APR, CPRC, who is the founder and CEO of SalterMitchell PR headquartered in Tallahassee. The panel will be moderated by FPRA State President Gordon Paulus, APR, CPRC, a Sr. Communications specialist at Gulf Power, whose service territory covers most of the area affected by Hurricane Michael. Led by: Buffy Lockette, APR, director of public relations at Jacksonville State University; April Salter, APR, CPRC, founder and CEO of SalterMitchell PR. Moderated by: Gordon Paulus, APR, CPRC, a Sr. Communications specialist at Gulf Power
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Buffy Lockette, APR

Director of Public Relations, Jacksonville State University

Buffy Lockette, APR, is director of public relations at Jacksonville State University in northeast Alabama.The small public university, located between Birmingham and Atlanta, was directly hit by an EF-3tornado in March 2018, resulting in nearly $100 million in damages. Nearly every... Read More →

April Salter, APR, CPRC

Founder and CEO, SalterMitchell PR

April Salter, APR, is a public relations veteran with experience in strategic communications and marketing. Known as a crisis communications and cause-related marketing expert, April is called on to consult on a variety of high-profile issues and causes. When Hurricane Michael devastated... Read More →

Gordon Paulus, APR, CPRC

Senior Communications Specialist/President, NextEra Energy

Gordon Paulus, APR, CPRC, is the president of FPRA. He is a Senior Communications Specialist at Gulf Power in Pensacola. He has worked storm duty for the power company through at least six hurricanes, including last year’s Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that devastated Panama... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Salons C-D

Professional Development

10:25am EDT

Breakout 1B: Leading with Influence

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Successful leadership practice is based on key elements, including the importance of knowing and using your strengths to support your unique leadership style, knowing how to engage others toward a mutual goal and using one’s own unique talents to positively influence and engage others. This interactive workshop will provide key leadership principles, tools and opportunities to increase your understanding of ways to best use your unique leadership talents to influence your own team, across interdisciplinary teams and in your leadership role in FPRA. Key concepts, self-reflection tools and discussion will provide you with a customized plan to move forward in your effective leadership. Led by: Carolyn Maue, president, The Maue Center; Carol Bennett, executive coach, The Maue Center
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Carolyn Maue

President, The Maue Center

Carolyn Maue is a successful communicator, entrepreneur and collaborator. She partners with talented leaders in maximizing their strengths as they lead their teams into the future. Carolyn’s company, The Maue Center, collaborates with forward thinking organizations in supporting... Read More →

Carol Bennett

Executive Coach, The Maue Center

Carol Bennett is a versatile coach with vast experience across multiple sectors, ranging from Fortune 50 clients to nonprofits. As a leadership coach, Carol engages high performance leaders who want to take their expertise to the next level. Carol has a unique ability to synthesize... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Salon A

Professional Development

10:25am EDT

Breakout 1C: Cutting Through the Digital Noise

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Want to inspire loyalty? Raise awareness about what you do? Attract new customers? You’ve probably already been using online marketing platforms for a while, but here’s the problem – so has everybody else. The rise of social media and an increased sense of content overload has challenged for-profit and non-profit organizations alike to stand out amid the day-to-day life in the digital noise. In this session, CTS Agency co-founders Greg Trujillo and Carolyn Capern will discuss practical techniques that your business can use to cut through the digital noise and make an impact with your audience. Led by: Carolyn Capern and Greg Trujillo, co-founders of CTS Agency
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Carolyn Capern

Co-founder, CTS Agency

Carolyn Capern and Greg Trujillo, who co-founded CTS Agency, work on creative, technical and social marketing projects across Florida and the U.S. Their agency focuses on achieving tangible business goals for clients. Carolyn and Greg have created and implemented digital and traditional... Read More →

Greg Trujillo

Co-founder, CTS Agency

Carolyn Capern and Greg Trujillo, who co-founded CTS Agency, work on creative, technical and social marketing projects across Florida and the U.S. Their agency focuses on achieving tangible business goals for clients. Carolyn and Greg have created and implemented digital and traditional... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Salons G-H

Professional Development

10:25am EDT

Breakout 1D: Overcoming Barriers One Post at a Time: Public Relations in the #MeToo Era

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In this #MeToo era, reporters and community members have a heightened sense of the issue of sexual violence, but they aren’t necessarily in tune with trauma victims. While everyone is busy learning about rape culture, we may be accidentally causing more trauma to rape victims. How do you convince a terrified rape victim through social media that your services are safe? With such loud negative commentary in society, how do you get your messages about believing victims to resonate so that victims feel safe enough to call for help? Hear a case study of how a social media movement has changed one rape crisis center’s communication strategies. This includes creating new avenues for communications (social media as a platform for offering therapy), fielding curve-balls (Senate hearings and celebrities) and not using the hashtag #MeToo.
Led by: Bianca Sabrkhani, director of development and communications for Victims Service Center
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Bianca Sabrkhani

Director of Development and Communications, Victims Service Center

Bianca Sabrkhani is a central Florida native. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of Central Florida. She also holds a master’s degree in political science and American politics from American Military University... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Salon B

Professional Development

10:25am EDT

Counselors’ Network Breakout Session 1

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CN members are invited to attend a members-only roundtable discussion with Curtis Zimmerman.
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Curtis Zimmerman

Speaker and Author

Curtis Zimmerman, speaker and author, has impacted more than one million people around the globe with his life-changing message. He expertly accelerates culture change, energizes organizations and inspiresgreater accountability to keep companies competitive and focused.Audiences connect... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Salons I-J

Professional Development

1:45pm EDT

Breakout 2A: How to Win with Media

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With more than 20 years of experience managing media relations, communications, and crisis communications, Heidi Schauer will inspire confidence when it comes to putting the right tools in place to create effective communications strategies, manage media and mitigate and manage crisis situations. Learn how to sell a story to reporters, how to manage a negative story, how internal and external environments may impact your organization in a time of crisis and how you can prepare and protect your organization for a crisis. This is for anyone who deals with media, creates or leads communications strategies or for anyone who is involved in managing crises or issues for an organization. Led by: Heidi Schauer, director of corporate communications for Wendy’s
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Heidi Schauer

Director of Corporate Communications, Wendy's

Heidi Schauer is the senior director of global communications and customer care for The Wendy’s Company. She joined Wendy's in 2016 as director of corporate communications. Before that, she served as manager of communications at Darden Restaurants for the company’s three largest... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Salons G-H

Professional Development

1:45pm EDT

Breakout 2B: Best Behaviors to Boost Your Google Ranking

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Break through the smoke and mirrors behind search engine optimization. In this interactive, easy to understand workshop, you will skip the slide deck and look at live campaigns and tools (free and paid) from Google and others to research and monitor powerful website data for making fact-based business decisions. SEO is a set of ongoing behaviors and tactics which build website credibility and traffic over time. Learn the most critical tactics to focus on to avoid getting lost in the weeds and wasting time and money on low impact activities. Witness real examples of companies who have increased their website ranking and organic traffic from SEO activities and how they measure return on investment. Learn best practices for shopping for professional SEO services and red flags to notice. Participants are invited to bring their favorite device to engage in this hands-on workshop. Led by: Randy Mitchelson, APR, entrepreneur, writer, and community leader
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Randy Mitchelson, APR

Vice President, iPartnerMedia (iPM)

Randy Mitchelson, APR, is an award-winning entrepreneur, writer and community leader. After holding leadership positions at KeyBank, Marketplace Bank and Bank of America, Randy founded National Web Leads and started an internet marketing and public relations career that has evolved... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Salon A

Professional Development

1:45pm EDT

Breakout 2C: The Mirage of Multitasking: Finding Your Focus, Flow & Finish Line

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Studies show that our brains aren’t built for multitasking. When we constantly juggle various cognitive tasks, we experience decreased productivity, impaired cognitive ability, increased stress and diminished creativity–all of which reduce us to fractions of the effective professionals we are capable of being. Many professionals surrender to a frantic and unfocused work style out of the belief that there is no other way. The modern-day workplace simply demands us to function in this manner, right? Wrong. In this course, you will learn how to recognize and squash your multitasking tendencies and recalibrate your approach to work. By setting clear priorities, increasing your focus, managing your time and effort, reducing physical and mental clutter, executing on what matters most, and giving yourself space to be innovative, you can elevate your performance and put yourself on the path to greater productivity. Led by: Scott Blades, M.Ed., assistant director of UF Training & Organization Development
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Scott Blades, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Training and Organization Development, University of Florida

Scott Blades, M.Ed., is assistant director of UF training and organization development. He brings 20 years of teaching, educational technology, instructional design and multimedia production experience to his role. Scott's position requires him to interface with UF subject matter... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Salons C-D

Professional Development

1:45pm EDT

Breakout 2D: Reputation Management in the Digital Age

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While Ochsner Health System remains a patient-centered organization, the voice of the customer drives our efforts. Like customers in other industries, such as retail (Amazon), entertainment (Netflix), and transportation (Uber), consumers of healthcare feel empowered and are not only reacting to the desire and need for on-demand access but voicing their opinions in real time when they have a bad experience. This can place health systems at risk as we need to navigate around these challenges. Learn how Ochsner Health System incorporates a comprehensive digital and public relations strategy to overcome negative brand perception in this digital age. Led by: Giselle Hecker, director, National/Government Public Relations & Crisis, Ochsner Health System and Katherine Staiano, manager of digital content for Ochsner Health System
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Katherine Staiano

Manager of Digital Content, Ochsner Health System

Katherine Staiano is the manager of digital content for Ochsner Health System, Louisiana’s largest non-profit, academic, healthcare system. She is responsible for steering the external content strategy across multiple channels to connect with consumers. Her focus is on sharing engaging... Read More →

Giselle Hecker

Director of National, Government and Crisis Public Relations, Ochsner Health System

Giselle Hecker is the director of national, government and crisis public relations for Ochsner Health System. With more than 15 years of experience, she is responsible for strategic planning and direction of national external and media-specific communications for all Ochsner Health... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Salon B

Professional Development

3:00pm EDT

Fireside Chat: An Inside View: Lessons from the Las Vegas Shooting

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In today’s world, we know the threat of a mass casualty event is possible in any location, business or
municipality. Communications pro David Riggleman had years of FEMA training, a detailed crisis
communications plan and a solid staff. Still, when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concert goers in
Las Vegas on the night of October 1, 2017, killing 58 with another 500 wounded and dozens hurt in the
ensuing panic, David’s world was turned upside down. Join us for a fireside chat with the City of Las
Vegas’ Communications Director to hear not only the tactics and approaches deployed, but the lessons
learned. David will be joined by Michelle Bono, APR, CPRC, from Tallahassee, whose own experiences
with crisis communication and interviewing will help ensure a heartfelt and enlightening discussion.
Led by: David Riggleman, Communications Director, City of Las Vegas, Moderated by: Michele Bono, president/CEO of Bono Communications and Marketing, LLC.
Fireside Chat Sponsor: Firehouse Subs and the FPRA Jacksonville Chapter
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Michelle Bono, APR, CPRC

President and CEO, Bono Communications and Marketing, LLC

Michelle Bono is the president and CEO of Bono Communications and Marketing, LLC. Michelle provides strategic public relations counsel to businesses, nonprofits and governments. She has extensive leadership experience in local government, including 19 years with the City of Tallahassee... Read More →

David Riggleman

Director of Communications, City of Las Vegas

David Riggleman has been director of communications for the City of Las Vegas since 1999. During his tenure, the municipality’s public broadcast station has won numerous awards, including three Emmy Awards for outstanding community affairs programming and the 2002 Beacon Award for... Read More →

Monday August 5, 2019 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Salons E-F (Grand Ballroom)

Professional Development

8:50am EDT

Dillin Keynote: Lose Your Mine: Getting Ahead by Letting Go

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Now is the perfect time to lose your “mine.” In a world and industry where owning outcomes, conversations and organizations are so vital, it’s easy to become obsessed with what we possess. After all, our teams, projects, resources and results are ultimately our responsibility. But what happens when we give up control and grab ahold of something stronger? Service. From Foot Locker and Kate Spade to Patrón Tequila and Grey Goose Vodka, Adrian shares lessons (and failures) on profitably leading brand and business transformations without becoming a jerk.

Audience Takeaways:

Failing well is a critical key to success. Some of the biggest innovations in AR, VR, mobile tech & consumer marketing have been the result of things that went wrong. Learn how to make the right mistakes and when to take the right chances.
Business and brand transformations can start at the top but not stay there. Learn how to build results-driven strategies for people & profit impact by creating a climate of trust, experimentation, excellence & forgiveness.
Dependency is the oxygen of collaboration. When we let go of what we don’t own we make room for what we value most: trust, peace, relationships. Learn how to deliver results for clients, managers and shareowners by focusing on the job only you can do.

Speakers

Adrian Parker

Vice President of Marketing, Patrón Tequila and Grey Goose Vodka at Bacardi

Adrian Parker, vice president of marketing for Patrón Tequila and Grey Goose Vodka at Bacardi, leads teams of digital, communication, experiential and mixology professionals in reimagining how luxury consumers engage with the spirits brands they love. From virtual reality and artificial... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 8:50am - 10:00am EDT
Salons E-F (Grand Ballroom)

Professional Development

10:15am EDT

Breakout 3A: Ignoring Intuition: Developing a Data-Driven PR Program

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Break through today’s cluttered media landscape by unearthing new insights and story hooks that transform good stories into great ones. Tell the story you never realized you had through data-driven PR, the process of using data to guide the strategy, messaging and storytelling of your communications campaigns. In this session, Ryan Cohn will share a variety of ways to structure your data-driven PR campaign, helping you craft new stories and customize pitches that rise above the noise. Say goodbye to gut instinct and eliminate the guesswork of PR campaign strategy forever. Led by: Ryan Cohn, Partner, Executive VP of Sachs Media Group
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Ryan Cohn

Partner and Executive Vice President, Sachs Media Group

Ryan Cohn is a partner and executive vice president for Sachs Media Group. Ryan leads the firm’s digital media initiatives, forecasting and navigating the changing communications and marketing landscape for the firm’s clients. He also serves as strategic advisor to many of Sachs... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Grand Salons C-D

Professional Development

10:15am EDT

Breakout 3B: Winning the Growing Hispanic Market via Transcreation

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By the year 2042, the U.S. will be a minority majority nation, a growth driven largely by Hispanics. In Florida, this change has already occurred in many markets, and population trends continue to show a rapidly-growing Hispanic population throughout the Sunshine State. Learn the role culture (not only language) has in Hispanic purchasing and consumption decisions and why transcreations — rather than translations — is the winning approach for long-term success. This session will provide attendees with practical tools and tips for integrating the Hispanic market into public relations planning and strategies from the start. Led by: Wilson Camelo, president and chief marketing officer of Camelo Communication
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Wilson Camelo

President and Chief Marketing Officer, Camelo Communication

Wilson Camelo is president and chief marketing officer of Camelo Communication, a marketing agency focused on helping clients effectively and profitably connect with “The New America.” Wilson began his career as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Air Force, recently retiring... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Grand Salon A

Professional Development

10:15am EDT

Breakout 3C: From Analysis to Action: Keys to Building an Effective Grassroots Movement

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Captains for Clean Water is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that advocates for south Florida’s water conditions. The organization began as a group of fishing guides from Fort Myers that “had enough” of Florida’s poor water management practices. Through advancing education, awareness, and advocacy, learn how Captains for Clean Water has worked at the grassroots level to ensure that policymakers implement scientifically supported solutions to restore and protect marine ecosystems and Florida’s way of life for future generations. Led by: Capt. Daniel Andrews, executive director of Captains for Clean Water
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Capt. Daniel Andrews

Executive Director, Captains for Clean Water

Capt. Daniel Andrews, executive director of Captains for Clean Water, is a full-time inshore fishing guide, born and raised in Southwest Florida. Daniel fishes out of a flats boat for tarpon, snook and redfish from Sanibel Island to Boca Grande. He has spent thousands of hours fishing... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Grand Salon B

Professional Development

10:15am EDT

Breakout 3D: Make My Day: Writing that Wins – and Wows

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Even in today’s digital world, writing remains a crucial skill for public relations professionals to master. This workshop will share storytelling techniques and other strategies for communicating in a vibrant, visual and authentic voice. It will include how-to lessons for cleaning up your copy and avoiding clichés, jargon and overused words. Learn the “seven deadly writing sins” and how to avoid them. Led by: Tracy Zampaglione, APR, public information officer for Orange County Corrections Department
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Tracy Zampaglione, APR

Public Information Officer, Orange County Corrections Department

Tracy Zampaglione, APR, currently serves as media spokesperson for the Orange County Corrections Department in Orlando. Zampaglione is on faculty at the University of Phoenix where she teaches writing and communications courses. Previously she led the communications, marketing and... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Grand Salons G-H

Professional Development

10:15am EDT

Counselors’ Network Breakout Session 2

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CN members are invited to attend a members-only roundtable discussion.

Speakers

Adrian Parker

Vice President of Marketing, Patrón Tequila and Grey Goose Vodka at Bacardi

Adrian Parker, vice president of marketing for Patrón Tequila and Grey Goose Vodka at Bacardi, leads teams of digital, communication, experiential and mixology professionals in reimagining how luxury consumers engage with the spirits brands they love. From virtual reality and artificial... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Grand Salons I-J

Professional Development

11:30am EDT

Lunch Session: I Didn’t Know You Could Do That and Make a Career Out of the Army!

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Walk through time with Retired Col. Mitchell Marovitz and his 30-year career in communications for the United States Army. Learn about the increasing responsibility and changing technology of one man’s public relations journey in the military. Led by: Mitchell Marovitz, Ph.D., APR, chair of the Public Relations program at the Graduate School of the University of Maryland University College
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Audience Takeaways:

Army Public Affairs offers fascinating opportunities to do important things for the nation while working with some of the most talented professionals in the world and using the latest technologies available.
Army Public Affairs Officers serve in every aspect of the communication field, are expert practitioners and are essential advisers to the commanders they serve.
Army Public Affairs Officers can serve fulfilling careers in the Army or prepare themselves for fulfilling careers after their Army service.

Speakers

Dr. Mitchell E. Marovitz, APR

Chair of the Public Relations Program, Graduate School of the University of Maryland University College

Dr. Mitchell E. Marovitz is chair of the public relations program at the Graduate School of the University of Maryland University College. He is the immediate-past chair of the Universal Accreditation Board. He retired from the Army in 2002 as a colonel after serving 30 years in a... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 11:30am - 12:40pm EDT
Salons E-F (Grand Ballroom)

Professional Development

1:20pm EDT

General Session: Mind the Gap: Women’s Leadership in Public Relations

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The PR industry is made up of more than 75% women, yet just 20% occupy the top jobs. So, how can we achieve better and quicker progress on empowering and moving more women into leadership positions? Using the results of focus groups and an industry-wide survey conducted by the Institute for Public Relations and KPMG, we’ll explore the drivers behind the male-female leadership gap that’s widely recognized across the business world and in our profession, including work-life fit, unconscious biases, workplace policies and practices. The presentation includes call-to-actions for both men and women, based on research, that can help organizations and practitioners take meaningful steps to improve diversity and inclusion. Personal stories from the experiences of industry executives and professionals will be shared. Led by: Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, president and CEO, Institute for Public Relations and Rebecca Rickert, associate director, Reputation and Digital Communication, KPMG US
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Audience Takeaways:

Understand how men and women, both mid-to-senior level, perceive gender equality, work-life fit, professional development opportunities, and mentorships.
Identify immediate actions that organizations, as well as both female and male practitioners, can make to improve diversity and inclusion, as well as retention.
Analyze how work-life fit has an impact on the personal and professionals' lives of both men and women—are we as an industry always on and what can we do?

Speakers

Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR

President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations

Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, is the president and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations, a nonprofit research foundation that creates, curates and promotes research and initiatives in the public relations industry. She taught as a professor for 15 years and has more than 10... Read More →

Rebecca Rickert

Director of Global Communications, Prudential Financial

Rebecca Rickert is the director of global communications at Prudential Financial. Rebecca has a comprehensive public relations agency and corporate background leading press and brand communications for companies including Bloomberg LP, Nike, Yahoo!, Blackberry, NBC, Saks Fifth Avenue... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 1:20pm - 2:10pm EDT
Salons E-F (Grand Ballroom)

Professional Development

2:30pm EDT

Breakout 4A: How to Use Self-Awareness as a Personal and Professional Asset

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Learn how to use self-awareness as a personal and professional asset. This program will provide you with how-to action items for recognizing personality differences, communicating effectively and strengthening relationships. Presenter Hardy Smith will utilize personal stories, humor, motivation, a dose of tough love and audience engagement to reinforce key learning objectives. Led by: Hardy Smith, consultant and speaker
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Hardy Smith

Consultant & Speaker, Hardy Smith Consulting

Hardy Smith’s results-oriented approach as a consultant and speaker is based on a career of more than 30 years in the high-performance world of NASCAR racing. That experience included strategic planning for development and growth of some of the country’s largest sports and entertainment... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Salon A

Professional Development

2:30pm EDT

Breakout 4B: Are Brands People? The Benefits and Pitfalls of Humanizing Your Brand on Social Media

Feedback Survey

In the past year, the trend of brand humanization has reached an all-time high. Learn how brands have progressively begun to humanize themselves on social media (primarily through Twitter) and new ways organizations will continue doing so in the future. This session will cover the benefits and pitfalls of humanizing brands as seen through the lens of Internet culture. Led by: Nathan Allebach, social media manager for Steak-umm
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Nathan Allebach

Social Media Manager, Allebach Communications

Nathan Allebach is a songwriter, promoter, writer, podcast host and social media manager of Allebach Communications. He's worked with Utz Snacks, Entenmann's Little Bites, and most notably, Steak-umm Meats. After taking over the Steak-umm Twitter account in late 2017, the brand saw... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Salons C-D

Professional Development

2:30pm EDT

Breakout 4C: Blog SEO: How to Get Your Owned Media Found

Feedback Survey

SEO has been around for more than a decade, and in that time, our relationship with today’s search engines has flipped. We’re no longer figuring out Google; Google is figuring out us. A blog post with five instances of a keyword can rank considerably lower than a blog post with just one. So, what’s the key ingredient? As more businesses invest in content creation and search engines sort through it all, blogs that offer the best answers — and the most trust — rank highest. And because good content is getting the respect it deserves, bloggers now have a demanding SEO to-do list. In this session, you’ll learn how to structure a blog, earn links to that blog, organize your blog into “topics” and create content that matches the “intent” of your target audience. Led by: Braden Becker, Senior Staff Writer for Hubspot
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Braden Becker

Senior Staff Writer, HubSpot

Braden Becker is a senior writer and SEO strategist for HubSpot. After starting as a reporter for his hometown's newspaper, he spent three years writing freelance for brands focused on insurance, real estate, personal finance, technology and social media. For the next three years... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Salons G-H

Professional Development

2:30pm EDT

Breakout 4D: Artificial Intelligence and PR: What You Need to Know

Feedback Survey

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and big data have been discussed so much recently, they’ve become buzzwords. The concepts present many opportunities and challenges. It is imperative for public relations professionals to educate themselves on the subject and learn how to adapt. Join this engaging presentation in which Martin shares his journey of discovering what AI is and does, how it could impact public relations and what some of the benefits, opportunities and risks might be. Led by: Martin Waxman, MCM, APR, consultant, entrepreneur, owner of Martin Waxman Communications
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Martin Waxman, MCM, APR

President, Martin Waxman Communications

Martin Waxman, MCM, APR, leads digital and social media training and workshops, is a communications strategist and teaches digital strategy. He's CMO of Spin Sucks, co-founder of three PR agencies and runs a consultancy, Martin Waxman Communications. He has worked in the industry... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Salon B

Professional Development

2:30pm EDT

Breakout 4E: Education & PR: How to Create an Effective Strategy

Feedback Survey

In today's abundance of data, finding the needle in the haystack is a common PR challenge. This workshop will cover what is needed to effectively boost your organization's profile by understanding key strategies to benchmark against your competition and successfully engage your target audience. This workshop will also convey best practices to distribute positive content, prepare for any crises and anticipate solutions to reemerge with a new and enhanced profile.

Speakers

Erica Pagliarulo

Managing Director, Meltwater

Erica is the Managing Director of Meltwater, a global leader in media intelligence. She is passionate about consulting and developing tailored PR and communication strategies for clients. Erica works closely with Meltwater's key accounts throughout the Florida region to deliver significant... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Florida Salons I-III

Professional Development

2:30pm EDT

Counselor’s Network Breakout Session 3

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CN members are invited to attend a roundtable discussion with Michell Marovitz, Ph.D., APR.

Speakers

Dr. Mitchell E. Marovitz, APR

Chair of the Public Relations Program, Graduate School of the University of Maryland University College

Dr. Mitchell E. Marovitz is chair of the public relations program at the Graduate School of the University of Maryland University College. He is the immediate-past chair of the Universal Accreditation Board. He retired from the Army in 2002 as a colonel after serving 30 years in a... Read More →

Tuesday August 6, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Salons I-J

Professional Development

9:00am EDT

Breakfast and Closing Session: Compelling Connections: How and Why Your Influence Matters

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Learn Tim Walsh’s touching story behind his documentary, “OPERATION: Operation The Power of Play.” The film is about John Spinello, the creator of the beloved board game, Operation. In 1964, Spinello developed and sold the game rights to a toy manufacturer for $500. The game went on to sell more than 45 million copies. More than four decades later, Spinello lost his business, became ill and needed a surgery that he couldn’t afford. That’s when Walsh and fellow game designer Peggy Brown stepped in to help. A crowdfunding campaign they created raised more than $32,000 and was featured on “Good Morning America,” “NBC Nightly News” and more. In this presentation, Walsh will discuss the themes of play, connection and vulnerability, culminating in the claim that’s so clearly illustrated by Spinello’s story: Our influence matters more than we realize. Led by: Tim Walsh, author, game designer and filmmaker
DRESS: BUSINESS ATTIRE

Speakers

Tim Walsh

Professional Speaker, Author, Game Designer and Filmmaker

Tim Walsh is a professional speaker, author, game designer and filmmaker. As an advocate of play, Tim is out to prove play is a means through which we find our passion, pique curiosity, encourage problem-solving, spark creativity and promote intrinsic motivation. A 28-year veteran... Read More →

Wednesday August 7, 2019 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Salons E-F (Grand Ballroom)

Professional Development