Tampa Bay Chapter of FPRA

09/28/2026

ICYMI - Tomorrow (9/29 at 11:30 a.m.) kicks off the start of the new Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) webinar series on Governance. If you or a colleague are new to board service or aspire to serve on a board, this series will give you the tools you need to serve effectively. It's free for FPRA members, and only $25 for non-members and comes with a Certification and a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile and email signature!

See and sign up for the entire series here: https://www.fpra.org/events

Stop second-guessing and start driving real strategy! 💼✨ The 3-part FPRA Board Governance Webinar Series covers governance basics, budget confidence, and dynamic meeting leadership.

Complete all three webinars to earn FPRA's Board Governance Certification and a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile and email signature! Bring your lunch and join us virtually on Sept. 29, Oct. 20, and Nov. 17.

📲 Register now: https://www.fpra.org/events

09/23/2026

This is a great opportunity for PR and comms professionals to hone their board governance skills and earn a certification!

Stop second-guessing and start driving real strategy! 💼✨ The 3-part FPRA Board Governance Webinar Series covers governance basics, budget confidence, and dynamic meeting leadership.

Complete all three webinars to earn FPRA's Board Governance Certification and a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile and email signature! Bring your lunch and join us virtually on Sept. 29, Oct. 20, and Nov. 17.

📲 Register now: https://www.fpra.org/events

09/16/2026

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE! Pencil us in on Oct. 28 at noon for a virtual session on crisis communication featuring Chris Gent, APR, CPRC, Public Affairs Manager for Georgia-Pacific, as he unpacks his years of experience navigating a PR professional's worst nightmare. 😱

☑️ Chris will walk us through how he successfully navigated communications for situations such as an F4 tornado, two Amtrak derailments, three major hurricanes in a 42-day period, a customer service center robbery, wildfires, floods, and more.

➡️ Sign up today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fpra-tampa-bay-october-webinar-crisis-communications-pr-scaries-tickets-1999318709079?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=71e944d1d5&mc_eid=3a3f83cd9d

09/11/2026

Last week new Florida Public Relations Association President April Salter, APR, CPRC, joined us to swear in this year's chapter board members, including new chapter President Lexie Savedge, APR.

Additional board members include:
Immediate Past President - Jessica Martinez
Secretary/VP of Finance & Operations - Melissa Gulvin, APR
VP of Chapter Events and Programming - Joe Hice
VP of Web Content - Michele Sager, APR
VP of Strategic Communications - Jessica Martinez
VP of Social Media - Ashley McKnight-Taylor
VP of Student Services - Jessica Martinez and Lina M. Gomez-Vasquez
VP of Member Services - Bridgette Howden
VP of Accreditation - Lexie Savedge, APR
Executive Committee - Josh Boatwright and Jo Newton

Congratulations to all new and returning board members! Any chapter members interested in assisting and/or serving on the board in future can send us a DM.

08/29/2026

✨ ICYMI: Our chapter was thrilled to receive the Furthering the Profession Award during the President’s Luncheon at the FPRA PR & Comms Summit earlier this month! President Jessica Martinez and President-Elect Lexie Savedge, APR (who will be sworn in next week during our annual in-person board meeting) accepted the award from outgoing FPRA State President Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC. ✨

08/24/2026

📢 Tomorrow (Aug. 25) is the last day to register for our upcoming event featuring Jeff Attinella, Tampa Bay Rowdies Director of Content & Development!

‼️ Register now for our in-person lunch and learn on Sept. 2 at 11:30 where Jeff will share his journey from professional athlete to leading content strategy for one of soccer’s most iconic brands!

⚽ Jeff will break down how the Rowdies leverage real-time storytelling, high-stakes international events like hosting Cabo Verde, and the momentum of the World Cup to amplify their brand voice. Discover how to apply a "player’s perspective" to your communications strategy, build trust with your audience, and create content that drives real connection—no matter your industry.

➡️ Get your ticket and lunch today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/playing-the-long-game-september-lunch-and-learn-tickets-1996995331795?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=349bd93da2&mc_eid=3a3f83cd9d

📍 The event will take place at the EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater.

08/23/2026

Congratulations to Tampa Bay chapter member Bridgette Howden, who graduated last week as a member of LeadershipFPRA Class X! We are so proud of Bridgette and her commitment to the profession and her community! 👏 👏 👏

08/08/2026

📣 Join us in person Sept. 2 at 11:30 for lunch and to hear from Jeff Attinella, Tampa Bay Rowdies Director of Content & Development, as he shares his journey from professional athlete to leading content strategy for one of soccer’s most iconic brands!

⚽ Jeff will break down how the Rowdies leverage real-time storytelling, high-stakes international events like hosting Cabo Verde, and the momentum of the World Cup to amplify their brand voice. Discover how to apply a "player’s perspective" to your communications strategy, build trust with your audience, and create content that drives real connection—no matter your industry.

➡️ Register on or before Aug. 25! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/playing-the-long-game-september-lunch-and-learn-tickets-1996995331795?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

You'll make a lunch selection while registering. (Vegetarian and gluten free options are available.)

📍 The event will take place at the EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater.

07/30/2026

There's still time to join us in Orlando!

🚨 𝐀 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 2026 FPRA PR & COMMS SUMMIT!

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞!! You do not need to be an FPRA member to attend. Standard registration rates now apply, so this is the time to secure your spot before registration closes.

Join public relations, marketing and communications professionals from across Florida and beyond for future-focused programming, real-world strategies and practical ideas you can put to work right away.

This year’s sessions will explore AI and automation, earned media, crisis communications, strategic content development, audience engagement, measurement and the evolving media landscape. Be sure to check out our impressive lineup of keynote and breakout session speakers representing leading brands and organizations across the industry.

📅 August 9 -12, 2026
📍 Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

Only a few spots remain! Register today: 🔗
https://web.cvent.com/event/deeb02a6-9835-4fe5-9a16-2c27a26b31c2/register

07/17/2026

We congratulate all of this year's nominees, including our own member, Ashley McKnight-Taylor!

🌟𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐏𝐑, 𝐂𝐏𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬!🌟

FPRA is proud to recognize this outstanding group of emerging leaders who are making a meaningful impact within their chapters, communities and the public relations profession:

⭐ Jamie Gillespy - FPRA Capital Chapter
⭐ Muffy Lavens - Central West Coast Chapter of the FPRA
⭐ Gabriel Segarra-Colon, PIO - Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of FPRA
⭐ James Neville - FPRA Gainesville
⭐ Danielle Fitzpatrick - FPRA Volusia/Flagler
⭐ Altoria White - FPRA Jacksonville Chapter
⭐ Christine Westenhaver - FPRA - Treasure Coast Chapter
⭐ Gisselle Garcia - FPRA Orlando Area Chapter
⭐ Ashley McKnight - Tampa Bay Chapter of FPRA
⭐ Andrea Gibson - FPRA Pensacola Chapter
⭐ Meagan Happel - Space Coast FPRA
⭐ Jada Bigord - The Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA
⭐ Mark Kattoura - FPRA South Florida Chapter

The 2026 Joe Curley APR, CPRC Rising Leaders will be recognized during the Presidents’ Luncheon at the 2026 FPRA PR & COMMS SUMMIT. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments, leadership and continued contributions to FPRA!

The Joe Curley Rising Leader Program is made possible through the endowed Joe Curley Rising Leader Fund, held with the . The program is managed through the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation.

Please join us in congratulating the entire 2026 Rising Leader Class! 👏🎉