We can develop the very best PR plan, but without dedicated support and involvement of executive management, we can’t be totally successful. In many organizations when the management team huddles in the planning boardroom, PR professionals are still sitting in our offices unaware of the situation. This session, led by Joe Curley, APR, CPRC, outlined how we get our top executives to understand the importance of public relations counsel during the decision making process. It explores 10 proven strategies for earning a place in the boardroom huddle and making public relations an involved and indispensable part of our organization’s business planning. read more »

Kelly Donovan is one of this week’s volunteer conference bloggers. She wrote the earlier post on our Dillin Keynote Address featuring Disney’s Eugene Campbell. Kelly is a communication specialist at the Florida Museum of Natural History and recently graduated with a Master’s in mass communication from the University of Florida. This is her second year serving as a blogger.

This morning begins with the Dillin Keynote Address. This year’s speaker was Eugene Campbell, vice president of Community Relations and Minority Business Development at Walt Disney World Resort. Campbell develops Disney’s charitable giving programs and strengthens Disney’ relationships with minority business suppliers.

No Disney experience would be complete without music and magic, and these days, no business would be complete without a corporate responsibility, or corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. The Walt Disney Company strives to combine both. As with its theme parks, hotels, and cruise ships, Disney works to make its CR programs a seamless experience.

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Listed below is the schedule for Day 2 – Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, of FPRA’s 71st Annual Conference:

7 am - 4 pm: Registration Desk Open
7:30 – 8:10 am: Exhibitor Continental Breakfast
8:15 – 8:20 am: Announcements
8:20 – 9:30 am: Dillin Keynote Address
9:30 – 9:45 am: Break with exhibitors at the Cyber Café
9:45 – 10:45 am:

• Breakout 3A – PR is Not Always Loved by Management: Here’s How to Get the Romance Started, Ten Strategies to Earn a Position on the Management Team
• Breakout 3B – Finance 101: What You Need to Know about Financial Statements and Budgets so You Can Communicate with Your CEO
• Breakout 3C – One Size Does NOT Fit All: Cultural Influences in CSR Decision-Making
• Counselors’ Network Breakout 2 – A private, informal and interactive discussion with Dillin Keynote speaker Eugene Campbell.

11 am – 12:05 pm: General Session C – Green Marketing and Communications
12:15 – 1:15 pm: Counselors’ Network Roundtable Luncheon
1:15 – 1:30 pm: Break with exhibitors at the Cyber Café
1:30 – 2:30 pm:

• Breakout 4A – CPRC, Your Future, Your Career, Your Leadership Opportunity
• Breakout 4B -The Truth Behind Cherries, Chocolate, and Paper…
• Breakout 4C – The Basics of SEO, Plus Some Affordable Ways To Market Your Business Online
• Counselors’ Network Breakout 3 – A private, informal and interactive discussion with Wendy Cobrda and Amy Hebard, Ph.D.

2:45 – 3:35 pm: PR Under Fire Panel Discussion and Breakout Sessions
3:40 – 4:30 pm:

• Breakout 5A – The AMMMO Approach to Strategic Communications
• Breakout 5B – How The Media Works During a Time of REAL “Breaking News” DISASTERS – Who Gets to Play and Why
• Breakout 5C – Today’s Public Relations Agency: Partner not Predator

6 – 7 pm: Reception of the Presidents
7 – 10 pm: Golden Image Awards
10 – 11 pm: Golden Image Entry Notebook Pickup

Thanks to those who came out for tonight’s Social Media Social, sponsored by Kidd PR. The event featured appetizers and drinks — including the Tweet-tini and the Flickr Kicker. Attendees used their cell phones and smart devices to participate in social media contests and games.

Here’s a link to the photos taken at today’s FPRA Presidents’ Luncheon – http://bit.ly/n0xPA

Kelly Moore Robertson, APR, Associate PR Director, Kidd PR talked about blogging, audio/video blogs, micro blogs, photo sharing and social networking. Social media definition: It’s like going to a party: you have to talk to people.  Don’t be the guy standing in the corner. You won’t get any value unless you interact.

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Opening your own firm can be one of the most rewarding things you’ve ever done!  

This interactive session with Joe Curley, APR, CPRC and Jackie Kelvington addressed curiosity, fears and dreams about taking the major step and setting up your own business.

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In this session, Jeff Nall, APR, CPRC, FPRA’s VP of accreditation and certification, discussed how to stay competitive in today’s marketplace with a nationally recognized standard of competence in public relations, APR.

There are a ton of resources to help you earn your APR—the contents of the exam and the process should never be a mystery.  read more »

A framed letter from Florida Governor Charlie Crist presented to this year’s Vice President of Annual Conference, Karen Smittle, APR, CPRC.