Learn how you can participate in shaping the future of Jacksonville with the Jacksonville Community Council Inc. (JCCI), the JAX2025 vision and FPRA Jax! Ben Warner, President and CEO of JCCI, will be speaking about how to help build a solid future for Jacksonville!

Become a volunteer. Become an advocate. Get your organization or business involved. We need you to help us imagine it, reach it and build it! Every great city has a vision of itself and what it will be. Now is the time to decide what kind of community we want to be in 2025.

JAX2025 is not just about creating a vision; it’s about creating a future. We hope that you join us for this informative presentation and luncheon – catered by Clara’s Tidbits – on Tuesday, November 13 to hear about how you can help shape Jacksonville’s future by being a “Image Ambassador.” We welcome all members, guests and students to join us for this FPRA Jax luncheon!

When?
Tuesday, November 13th
11:30am-1:00pm

Where?
Jacksonville City Community Council Inc. Offices
2434 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Cost?
$15 for members & guests
$10 for students

REGISTER HERE!

Learn more about JAX2025 online by visiting their website at www.jax2025.org. Follow JAX2025 on Twitter @jax2025 and be sure to use the hashtag #JAX2025. You can also like JAX2025 on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/jax2025.

The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Jacksonville Chapter, the local chapter of the nation’s oldest public relations organization, recently hosted its first luncheon under the direction of the 2012-2013 board. The program, “All In: The PR Strategies Behind the Jacksonville Jaguars,” featured special guest speaker Ryan Robinson, director of public relations for the Jaguars. Robinson addressed more than 50 Jacksonville public relations professionals and students at the University Club.

“Inviting Ryan to speak to our membership was the perfect way to kick off our new year of professional development programs and networking events,” said Julie Watson, president of the FPRA Jacksonville Chapter. “Our members always appreciate learning about the PR strategies and initiatives being implemented locally and the Jaguars are a perfect example of how to engage both local and national media.”

Robinson shared his PR techniques, which involve building personal relationships with each player and providing guidance on interacting with members of the media, who are allowed in the locker room with access to players five days a week. He urges the players to be honest, be themselves and be positive while being interviewed and notes that the media can either enhance or harm an NFL career.

Ryan Robinson, PR director for the Jaguars

Robinson also discussed the role of social media in professional sports, particularly Twitter, which can turn an off-hand comment into a national media storm. Most Jaguars players have a Twitter account and Robinson encourages them to “Think before you tweet – would your mom want to read that?” He also advises players to disconnect from social media while traveling from a game, particularly after a loss.

“The players are typically on a bus only an hour or so after a game is over,” said Robinson. “That leaves a lot of down time to read what people are saying, which can be very disheartening for a team that just faced a difficult loss. It’s never a good idea to post responses to comments when emotions are heightened.”

Also during the luncheon, newly installed FPRA Jacksonville President Julie Watson announced her fellow board members for the 2012-2013 year. This year’s board members are as follows: Teresa Eichner as President-Elect, Maria Coppola, APR as Immediate Past President, Cecily Sorenson as Board Advisor, Trish Kapustka, APR, CPRC as Image and Accreditation Chair, Carolyn Adams as Treasurer, Phyllis Bell-Davis, M.Ed. as Membership Chair, Melissa Simpson as Newsletter Chair and Gia Ciccone as Communications Chair.

Join the Florida Public Relations Association Jacksonville Chapter for the Kick-Off to the 2012-2013 Season!! Meet the team that will lead FPRA Jax to a winning year of professional development and networking opportunities, and find out how to become a “season ticket holder” with front row seats to the fun!

And speaking of football…

Are you ALL IN??

ALL IN: The PR Strategies Behind the Jacksonville Jaguars

Ryan Robinson, director of public relations for the Jacksonville Jaguars, will share the role PR has played for the Jaguars leading into this season, as well as ongoing PR efforts including managing multiple spokespersons, the role of social media in engaging fans and more.

Along with this exciting presentation, enjoy the University Club’s all-you-can-eat buffet, networking with fellow PR professionals…and maybe even a few surprises!!

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012
11:30 a.m. – Registration and Networking
11:45 a.m. – Lunch Buffet Opens
12 – 1 p.m. – Program

University Club of Jacksonville
1301 Riverplace Boulevard
27th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207

$30 Advance Registration
$35 Day of Event
$20 Students

REGISTER HERE WITH CVENT!

This event is open to all public relations and communications professionals and students. Don’t forget to wear your teal and black!!

Parking is available in the surface lot in front of the Crowne Plaza. The first hour is free and it is $1 for every hour after. Parking will not be validated at the event. There is also some free parking available on the surrounding side streets.

Top 10 Reasons to Renew Your FPRA Membership

10.      NETWORKING – Get another full year of networking opportunities with local PR colleagues and more than 1,000 PR professionals thorough Florida.

9.       CONTACTS – If you don’t renew your membership by Dec. 31, you won’t be included in the statewide directory.

8.       PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Get another full year of professional development opportunities including chapter meetings, seminars and the annual state conference.

7.       JOB OPPORTUNITIES – One more year of access to the online job bank.

6.        LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES – Our local chapter offers you the opportunity to develop or enhance your leadership skills through committee or board service.

5.        NETWORKING – FPRA also gives you the opportunity to develop relationships with our allied members such as printing professionals, media representatives, etc.

4.        MEMBERS ONLY – Access to the state website (www.fpra.org) provides you with valuable resources including Golden Image entry summaries, discussion forums, statewide job bank and so much more.

3.        PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES – Your member benefits include the bi-monthly white paper and access to PR practitioners statewide via the online and printed membership directory.

2.        ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION – Document your professional knowledge and skills through two standard testing programs – APR and CPRC.  Local chapter and statewide study sessions are also available to members.

1.        DID WE MENTION NETWORKING? – The most valuable benefit FPRA can provide to your career is abundant networking opportunities. Whether you are developing relationships with fellow practitioners, allied member or future practitioners (students) you’ll be expanding your knowledge and abilities while making friendships that will boost your career.

Not a member yet?

What are you waiting for? Now is the time to join the oldest public relations association in the nation as we celebrate 75 years of serving Florida’s finest PR professionals. Download our membership application here, or contact our membership chair, Phyllis Bell-Davis at pbelldavis@aol.com.

Make plans now to attend Florida’s largest annual gathering of public relations professionals!

Join the Florida Public Relations Association for the Best Professional Development Value around, featuring eight dynamic general sessions and 16 stimulating breakout sessions. And most of your meals are included in your conference registration fee of less than $600. Most conferences of this caliber are typically $1,000 or more. In addition, the special hotel rate secured for attendees is available for three days prior and three days after conference.

This year’s lineup of nationally-acclaimed speakers from top global corporations, industries and marketing firms will enlighten attendees on a number of relevant topics including:

• How to socialize your online newsroom.
• Achieving peak performance using the tried and true practices of today’s outstanding business professionals.
• Learn what employees want from workplace communications.
• Hear the exciting PR case study surrounding the popular TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the Florida agency that helped raise $1 million dollars to renovate a home for a local family.

Come see who takes home the GOLD at this year’s Golden Image Awards. This is truly a colossal evening where you and your professional peers will celebrate the outstanding work of public relations professionals from throughout Florida.

Spend three days of invaluable networking, award-winning hospitality and outstanding professional development during this year’s FPRA Annual Conference.

SPECIAL RATE for non-members: $695 (normally $800). Includes annual membership in local Jacksonville chapter.

For more information on conference, hotel or to register, visit http://www.fpra.org

When: Aug. 5-8, 2012
Where: Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, St. Augustine, FL
Fee: Members: $595
Non-members: $695

Early bird registration ends July 20.

FPRA Jacksonville’s local Image Awards is open for business and accepting submissions for this year’s competition, “A Treasure Trove of PR Strategies and Tactics.”

Entries must have taken place between January 1, 2011 and March 26, 2012.

The Image Awards competition is conducted annually by the Florida Public Relations Association Jacksonville chapter to recognize outstanding public relations programs in the Jacksonville area and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism in our state.

The deadline for submissions is March 26, 2012.

For more on the Image Awards, including competition rules, guidelines and entry form, click here.

How marine science researchers and advocates are building community consensus for conservation

Register online by clicking here.

The Jacksonville Chapter of FPRA has put together a very special event for our monthly luncheon in March. Communicators in Jacksonville are invited to join us at Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute for a conversation about how public relations is playing a major role in conserving and preserving the St. Johns River.

A. Quinton White, Ph.D. and the newly-appointed St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman, will talk about the MSRI, the Riverkeeper and the River Accord and how public and media relations are being used to educate residents in North Florida about the river’s problems and what they can do to contribute to conservation efforts.

Along the banks of the St. Johns River on JU’s campus, the 30,000 square foot MSRI houses the JU Marine Science graduate and undergraduate programs, the St. Johns Riverkeeper office along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Northeast Florida Fisheries Laboratory, and the high school marine education program in conjunction with Duval County Public Schools.

Join us on Tuesday, March 13 for lunch on the observation deck overlooking the St. Johns and learn about the MSRI, the Riverkeeper and how educational PR is improving our river’s reputation.

A.Quinton White, Ph.D. is the executive director of JU’s Marine Science Research Institute. The MSRI is an interdisciplinary institute that focuses on the St. Johns River and other marine environments. He has written numerous research and technical papers or reports and received grants and contracts to support marine research at JU. Currently he is conducting research on manatees and king mackerel.

Dr. White serves as a consultant with the City of Jacksonville Waterways Commission on manatee and water quality issues.

Lisa Rinaman is the St. Johns Riverkeeper. As a former senior staff member for Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, Lisa Rinaman has extensive experience building consensus around issues and helped implement numerous environmental initiatives and policies. Lisa was instrumental in leading the effort to develop and implement irrigation, fertilizer and Florida-friendly landscaping ordinances to better protect the St. Johns and local waterways. She also played a key role in securing state funding for water quality improvements, organizing the city’s successful Manatee Protection Plan, and pushing for programs necessary to fulfill the River Accord restoration plan for the lower St. Johns River.

Before being named the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Lisa served as a valuable member of the St. Johns Riverkeeper Water Policy Group (WPG), a group that advocates for water conservation and reuse and policies that are more protective of our water resources.

When: Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Where: Marine Science Research Institute, Jacksonville University
Rooms 234 & 244 at end of hall on second floor

2800 University Boulevard North
Jacksonville, FL 32211

The Marine Science Research Institute is located on the St. Johns River as part of the JU Campus. Take the River Road entrance into the JU campus. Follow River Road approximately half a mile. The Marine Science Research Institute is located on a dirt and gravel road off River Road. You can see it on your left as you approach John Sessions Stadium on your right.

Fees: Members registering IN ADVANCE: $25
(Deadline to register is March 9)

After March 9 and walk-ups: $35

Non-members: $40

Students: $20

Attendance is open to all communications professionals and related fields, whether you’re a member in FPRA or a guest. Member pricing will be offered to communicators who are members in good standing with IABC, PRSA, AIGA, JAMA and AAF. Must prove valid membership in non-FPRA group.

Register online by clicking here.

The Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is pleased to announce its newest adventure: a public relations and community scavenger hunt!

How’s this work?

Starting March 1 through our May monthly meeting, local communicators will be challenged to compete against each other gathering a series of tasks captured with photographs and awarded points. The 60-day industry-centered event is designed to help members develop relationships with our community and local media while having fun, learning more about Jacksonville, and participating in FPRA.

The list of tasks for the event could include having your photo taken with a member of the local media to attending a monthly luncheon. The list will also have some more challenging assignments. All activities will be documented by participants through photos uploaded to a Flickr account created specifically for this event.

And, if you attend this week’s luncheon and sign up for the scavenger hunt, you’ll receive 100 bonus points for the program – the ONLY opportunity to get a jump on fellow players with extra credit.

Timeline:

The event is being held from March 1, 2012 through April 30, 2012, when all photos are required to be uploaded.

Registration:

Sign ups for the scavenger hunt begin this week and will be held until February 29, 2012. Registration can be completed in person or online. The cost to participate is $25 and member pricing will be extended to IABC and PRSA members. All proceeds fund the event and also help your local chapter of FPRA.

Registration includes your ticket to the May Social (Date TBA) where the top three point earners will be announced and awarded prizes.

Get involved today and show your colleagues you can outmatch their knowledge and contacts!

To register click here.

Ethics is an action concept! Join us Feb. 16 when Florence Haridan of Character Counts! discusses the elements of an ethics code and how that code comes to life through actions. She will explore the process of making an ethical decision and better understanding how it influences your reputation and character. You will gain a new perspective on this complex topic by taking time to see its place in your world.

Haridan is the Executive Director of Character Counts! in Jacksonville. The mission of the organization is to create a more ethical community by fostering meaningful conversations about ethics and character.

When: Thursday, Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
 
Where:
Perdue Office Interiors
5 W Forsyth Street
Suite 100
Jacksonville, FL 32202
 
Fees:
Guest: $25.00
Member: $20.00
Students: $20.00
 
Register online by clicking here.