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.

FPRA State President Sheridan Becht, APR, CPRC hosted a welcome reception tonight for conference attendees. The reception was held on the Sunset Deck. Click here to view the entire photoset.

Sponsored by FPRA’s Volusia/Flagler Chapter.

Here are the photos from tonight’s Tweet-up with Deirdre Breakenridge. Click here to view the entire photoset.

Coming up next at 5 p.m. is our Tweet-Up with industry leader, author and keynote speaker Deirdre Breakenridge. This is an excellent opportunity for new connections and mentorships to form offline with Deirdre and other PR practitioners. The event will be held in the Chill Out Lounge, located on the first floor of the hotel. All professionals and students are encouraged to attend.

Deirdre (known in the Twitterverse as @dbreakenridge) is responsible for co-founding #PRStudChat – a monthly Twitter chat between public relations professionals and students. The chat has exploded in popularity since it first launched in August 2009. Each month, more and more PR pros and pros-to-be join to discuss topics such as: what to include in a PR portfolio; how to build beneficial client/agency relationships; what new graduates should expect from future employers; how to maximize internship opportunities; the role of social media in PR; etc.

We hope to see you there!

Sponsored in part by the Central West Coast Chapter.

Pictured above is the incoming FPRA Executive Committee for 2010-2011, under the leadership of incoming state president Jennifer Moss, APR, CPRC (center). Hand with glass on far right belongs to FPRA co-executive director Christopher Carroll, APR, CPRC. Not pictured: Chris Gent.

Pictured below is the final meeting of the 2009-2010 Executive Committee, hosted by state president Sheridan Becht, APR, CPRC.

FPRA Vice President of Chapter Services Kristin Knapp, APR (pictured above) is offering a Chapter Leadership Forum today from 2-5 p.m. for incoming chapter leaders. The forum is designed to provide leadership tips and resources to make the coming year successful.

The FPRA registration desk, located in the Royal Palm Foyer, will observe the following hours during conference:

Sunday, Aug. 8 — Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 9 — 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 10 — 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 11 — 7:00 a.m. – Noon

Pick up your FPRA conference tote, compliments of Marketing Mud in Gainesville, and a 1GB flash drive that contains all the conference presentations, compliments of Kissimmee Utility Authority.

Listed below is the schedule for Day 1 – Sunday, August 8, 2010 of FPRA’s 72nd Annual Conference:

Noon – 5:00 pm: Registration Desk Open

11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Golf Clinic & Outing

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Chapter Leadership Forum

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: 2010-11 Executive Committee Meeting

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: 2009-2010 Executive Committee Meeting

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Tweet-Up with Deirdre Breakenridge

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: President’s Welcome Reception

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Sunset Social

Welcome to Naples and the Florida Public Relations Association’s 72nd Annual Conference. This year’s conference is being held at the beautiful Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Fla. Located adjacent to the white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, the resort features 474 luxurious new guestrooms, Bungalow suites, and is designed to coexist with its surrounding environment of clear water, unspoiled mangrove-lined beaches and lush green flora. Welcome!