Tampa Bay Chapter of FPRA

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! 👏🎉

07/05/2026

THERE IS STILL TIME to join us virtually on July 9 at noon via Zoom as Mayte Sera Weitzman, public relations manager at Goya Foods of Texas, shares her expertise in crisis communication.

This session will explore real-world case studies from the food industry and beyond, including pandemic response, high-visibility moments, food donations and manufacturing realities. We’ll also look at how purpose-driven action and community support become essential components of crisis response.

➡️ Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-webinar-protecting-your-brand-in-real-time-with-mayte-sera-weitzman-tickets-1987703711308?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=17c2838508&mc_eid=3a3f83cd9d

07/01/2026

LeadershipFPRA made a stop in Tampa Bay recently for two days of sessions on cross functional business strategies. Class X students learned how to work across departments for daily operations, campaign planning and handling crisis communications.

Speakers tackled topics like incorporating cyber security into crisis plans, working with board members with differing views, and balancing the need to push creative limits with differing leadership expectations.

The class also had a chance to tour the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College and Tampa International Airport. Plus, the Tampa Bay chapter hosted a networking mixer with the group.

➡️ To learn more about LeadershipFPRA, visit FPRA.org/LeadershipFPRA.

⏰ The deadline to apply for Class XI is July 13.

06/14/2026

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: July 9 at noon via Zoom

Join us virtually as Mayte Sera Weitzman, public relations manager at Goya Foods of Texas, shares her expertise in crisis communication.

In today’s fast-moving environment, crisis communications sits at the intersection of speed, clarity and trust. For consumer-facing brands, protecting reputation goes beyond messaging — it includes safeguarding relationships with communities, consumers and stakeholders who depend on consistency and credibility.

This session will explore real-world case studies from the food industry and beyond, including pandemic response, high-visibility moments, food donations and manufacturing realities. We’ll also look at how purpose-driven action and community support become essential components of crisis response.

➡️ Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-webinar-protecting-your-brand-in-real-time-with-mayte-sera-weitzman-tickets-1987703711308?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=17c2838508&mc_eid=3a3f83cd9d

06/01/2026

FPRA Tampa Bay President Elect Lexie Savedge, APR, joined a panel discussion on public relations best practices for local business owners, nonprofits and entrepreneurs. The event, in partnership with How Public Relations, also invited chapter members to offer their expertise and help answer questions during break-out groups.

05/22/2026

📣 FPRA Tampa Bay is hosting a "Hoppy Hour" to welcome LeadershipFPRA Class X to Tampa!

🤝This is your chance to connect with fellow PR pros from across the state and "tap into" some great conversations!

🗓 Here are the details:
Where: World of Beer, 2815 E. Fowler Ave.
When: June 4, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

✴ This event is FREE and open to all. Light appetizers will be served. Don't miss out on this opportunity to mix, mingle and make statewide connections!

➡ Let us know if you plan to join! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hoppy-hour-june-networking-event-tickets-1988396659936?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true&mc_cid=9109327e77&mc_eid=3a3f83cd9d

05/18/2026

There’s still time to submit a nomination for the 2026 FPRA Pinnacle Awards, which celebrate professionals and organizations across Florida who are elevating public relations through innovation, leadership, strategy and results! Self-nominations and peer nominations are welcome. The deadline has been extended to May 27!

Learn more and submit your entry today: goldenimageawards.org/pinnacle-awards/

🏆 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐏𝐑𝐀 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬!

𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟, 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑟, 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, 𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑡, 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑔𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠? 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆.

The Pinnacle Awards celebrate professionals and organizations across Florida who are elevating the profession through innovation, leadership, strategy and results. Self-nominations and peer nominations are welcome!

⏰ Entry Deadline: May 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
📍 Winners will be recognized during the 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒂 at the 2026 FPRA PR & COMMS SUMMIT.

Learn more and submit your entry today:
Pinnacle Awards Entry Portal 🔗goldenimageawards.org/pinnacle-awards/

04/16/2026

⏰ There's still time to sign up for Monday's webinar with Alexandra Booth, digital content manager at Hillsborough College, who will share how her team is creating digitally accessible content. We'll discuss best practices that will help us all adapt to the new requirements.

ICYMI: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) updated regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the rule adds new technical requirements for websites, social media and mobile applications with deadlines that go into effect this month.

➡ Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/april-webinar-tickets-1983105861014?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=ab308a46fd&mc_eid=3a3f83cd9d