The Central West Coast Chapter of the FPRA

The Florida Public Relations Association has been serving Florida public relations professionals for 70 years, being founded in 1938 by Lt. Col. John W. Dillin. FPRA is the oldest public relations organization in the United States. There are 15 professional chapters and many university chapters located throughout Florida, including the Central West Coast Chapter!

The Central West Coast Chapter was formed in 1966 and has more than 120 members from Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties, tripling in size in the last decade! Members represent area businesses, nonprofits, independent public relations agencies/partnerships, and students.

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• EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT... learn from local, national, and international leaders in the public relations and communications fields monthly; participate in stimulating media relations and strategic planning chapter events annually; collaborate with leading local non-profit and for-profit organizations at two additional annual events to build valuable partnerships; and attend the phenomenal FPRA annual conference.
• NETWORKING... interact monthly with PR and business leaders. Members have access to hundreds of professional contacts that are only a phone call or email away!
• ACCREDITATION/CERTIFICATION... document your professional knowledge and skills through the universal accreditation process, while receiving the support and assistance of your peers!
• LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES... take advantage of a variety of high-profile local or state board and committee positions.
• JOB BANK... access or post job openings on the CWC and FPRA websites. Local, state, and national organizations list.
• PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION... be recognized for your or your organizations well-executed public relations campaigns and printed or electronic tools at the local Image and state-wide Golden Image Award competitions.
• ANNUAL CONFERENCE... join the largest and most anticipated event of the year and hear nationally recognized speakers, participate in learning activities, network with dedicated pr professionals, and attend the Golden Image Awards celebration!
• PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES... receive a variety of member-only resources to help improve pubic relations skills. Membership directories, white papers and articles have proven invaluable to our members!
• COUNSELOR'S NETWORK... obtain advanced educational opportunities designed for seasoned professionals. (Open to accredited professionals with ten years of counseling experience.)

"As a senior counselor, it's easy to think you've been there/done that before -- but over the years I have learned that knowledge is anything I didn't know yesterday. Communications is changing at the fastest speed in history --Google, blogs, MySpace-who would have thought? FPRA membership provides a unique and necessary portal to a wealth of today's knowledge that will take us all into tomorrow."

Joseph Curley, APR, Senior Corporate Communications Counsel
Universal Studios Parks & Resorts, international

Click here for three convenient ways to apply!

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Read what some of our community partners have to say...

"The Economic Development Corporation recognizes FPRA as a valuable resource for local businesses interested in advancing their communications efforts. The organization's programming for PR professionals and communications workshops for businesses are outstanding."

Kathy Baylis, President & CEO
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

"GravityFree is proud to be aligned with the Central West Coast chapter of FPRA. They are a progressive group of PR professionals who genuinely care about sharing their knowledge and keeping their industry on the cutting edge by embracing new and creative ways of communicating."

Scott Heaps, President
GravityFree