Coming up next is the Presidents’ Luncheon. This special event honors the work of outstanding individuals and chapters over the past year, including the coveted Chapter of the Year and Chapter President of the Year awards.

PR professionals who recently earned their accreditation or certification in public relations also will be honored. The food highlight of the luncheon is the famous Dillin Dessert, sponsored by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter. The dessert is named in honor of the founder of FPRA, Lt. Col. John W. Dillin and his love of chocolate. More on that in just a bit.

One of the vendors for this year’s annual conference — Books, Books, Books — is offering a 15 percent discount on all professional public relations and business books for FPRA members. Stop by the booth, or check out the web site. You do not need to attend conference to receive the discount and it is valid year round.

Here are the 18 FPRA members who will make up this year’s volunteer conference blog team. They will post their reactions to speakers, sessions and happenings from the 71st annual conference of the Florida Public Relations Association in Boca Raton. The blog will also feature tweets, podcasts and plenty of photographs… and maybe even a few surprises!

So without further adieu, let me introduce to you this year’s annual conference blog team:

BRYAN BEATY is the executive assistant to the president at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce. He coordinates presentations, speeches, special events, correspondence and legislative affairs for the president. Beaty received his Associate in Arts degree from Indian River Community College, his Bachelor’s specializing in communications and public relations from the University of Florida and his Master’s of public administration from Nova Southeastern University. He is the incoming president of FPRA’s Treasure Coast Chapter.

SUSIE BOWIE is the communications associate at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Nonprofit Resource Center. She serves as vice president of web site communications for the Central West Coast chapter and as the public information officer for the Sarasota Audubon Society. Bowie was recently featured in the “40 Under 40” edition of Gulf Coast Business Review.

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In an effort to preserve resources while demonstrating a commitment to hosting a green conference, this year’s FPRA Annual Conference offers a new twist … literally. Instead of receiving a traditional three-ring binder containing printed copies of conference welcome letters, general info, speaker bios and slides from dozens of speaker presentations, this year’s attendees will receive a 1-gigabyte flash drive that has been pre-loaded with almost everything!

The flash drives are made from 100% recycled bamboo and feature a twist-off cap, laser engraved FPRA logo and lanyard. When attendees leave conference, they not only have all the conference resources at their fingertips but a robust flash drive that can be used for years to come.

If there is something on the flash drive that needs to be printed, simply stop by the Cyber Café during conference and use the complimentary laptop and printer.

If you are not registered for conference yet click here.