Thanks to the donations of dozens of organizations combined with the generosity of those who attended last week’s FPRA Annual Conference, we are proud to report that this year’s fundraiser raised $7,928 to benefit the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation.

The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization which awards scholarships to deserving college students, who through academic achievement, extracurricular activities and involvement in FPRA, demonstrate their commitment to professional development.

Likewise, the Foundation offers its professional members Annual Conference scholarships and other professional development opportunities including helping to underwrite a portion of the costs for those members seeking their Accreditation in Public Relations.

A special thanks to Kathleen Giery, APR, CPRC who coordinated this year’s fundraiser.

We took a lot of photos at this year’s FPRA Annual Conference — several thousand to be exact!

All the photos have been uploaded to FPRA’s Flickr photo account. To access a variety of sizes of each photo taken, simply click on the thumbnail photo to bring up a larger image of the same photo. Click “Actions” in the top left corner of the photo and then select “View All Sizes”. You can download whichever size you desire. The photo size labeled “Original” is the full size image and is suitable for printing.

You can access photos at the following links:

Golf Clinic & Outing

Tweet-up with Deirdre Breakenridge

President’s Welcome Reception

Sunset Social

Monday Photos

Presidents’ Luncheon

Tuesday Photos

Reception of the Presidents

Golden Image Awards

Wednesday Photos

We’re now at the halfway point of the conference and figured it was a good time to ask what you think about our conference coverage thus far. Tell us the good, the bad and the ugly. We’d prefer if you left your email so we can respond to you, but if you feel the need to be anonymous, go ahead.

What has been your favorite portion of the conference coverage?

Do you like the fact that we’ve included commentary on the sessions or would you just prefer the facts from presentations?

Suggestions?

We couldn’t help but notice that a tropical system has developed off the coast of Naples today, just a few miles off the coast from our FPRA Annual Conference. Rumor has it that the storm is likely the result of the combined brainpower of those attending this year’s FPRA conference!

As part of Jennifer Flake’s presentation on telling the Ford story, conference attendees have the unique opportunity to preview the new car models from Ford. Thanks for supporting our conference, Ford!

At this year’s FPRA Annual Conference, Rick Oppenheim, APR, CPRC celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of his firm RB Oppenheim Associates, a full-service, marketing-communications, advertising and public relations counseling firm based in Tallahassee.

Rick hosted a small champagne reception to mark the special anniversary and to remember and toast recently-departed friend and colleague Karen Plunkett, APR.

During today’s Presidents’ Luncheon, the following tribute video was shown to honor former FPRA state president Karen Plunkett, APR.

A 22-year veteran of the industry, Karen was a leader who cared deeply about the profession. She was a tireless advocate for public relations education and previously chaired the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation.

Karen was a former Florida Public Relations Association State President (1991) and FPRA Orlando Area Chapter President (1987). She was named Central Florida PR Professional of the Year in 1989 and FPRA Member of the Year in 1994. In 2008, she received FPRA’s highest individual honor — the John W. Dillin Award.

In recent years, Karen taught public relations at Rollins College and served as faculty advisor to its FPRA student chapter, Communiqué. She loved her students and was available for them at any hour, for any reason.

Karen was an inspiring role model, mentor, teacher, friend and colleague to many.

We as an association mourn Karen’s passing and will forever remember her contributions to FPRA and the profession she loved.

This tribute video was lovingly produced by Bob E. Gernert, Jr., APR, CPRC of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter.

One of the highlights of the Presidents’ Luncheon is the Dillin Dessert. Named in honor of the founder of FPRA, Lt. Col. John W. Dillin. The dessert is sponsored by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter.

This year’s dessert is a demisphere of rich, lush Belgian chocolate topped with floral-shaped crest of whipped cream and a chocolate-striped pirouline, surrounded by ruby-colored pools of caramelized pineapple and Chambord raspberry.

Please take a few minutes to post a comment and let us know what FPRA means to you.

Conference attendees kicked off this year’s annual conference by celebrating the decade of decadence and going “Big 80s Style.” The networking event featured food, entertainment, fabulous prizes, a Chapter video competition and bidding for great deals at the silent auction!

We’ll announce tomorrow how much money was raised at the event. All auction proceeds benefit the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation.

Sponsored by the Southwest Florida Chapter.

Click here to view the entire photoset.