Members of the Chapter Also Received Nearly Two Dozen Awards at the Annual Gala
MEDIA CONTACT:
Muffy Lavens
248-909-2793
media@cwcfpra.com
| SARASOTA, FL – August 13, 2025 – The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) was honored at the annual PR & Comms Summit hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) held in Orlando August 3-6. CWC-FPRA received the coveted Chapter of the Year Award, presented by FPRA State President Julie Frey, APR, CPRC, and accepted by Chapter President Hunter Carpenter, APR. This award is given annually to one of the 15 professional chapters throughout the state of Florida in recognition of their excellent work to further the communications industry and the association during the year. In addition to winning Chapter of the Year, CWC-FPRA also received the President’s Award for Community Partnerships and another for Credentialing. While CWC-FPRA was honored through these awards, individual chapter members were also recognized for public relations programs and tools during the 68th Annual Golden Image Awards and Pinnacle Awards Gala held during the Summit. The awards include: Award of Distinction and Judges’ Award for CWC-FPRA’s Mission Mavericks program, presented to Connor Borden, Miranda Colavito, and Traci Willingham. Award of Distinction, Judges’ Award and Golden Image Award for Manatee County Clerk of Court/Leaders Uplifted for their More Than a Logo: Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Brand Activation, presented to Jennifer Linzy, APR, CPRC and Blair Bloomston. Golden Image Award and Judges’ Award for Visit Sarasota County’s Support the 941 Campaign and Award of Distinction for the tourism bureau’s Indicators & Insight Summit, presented to Hunter Carpenter, MA, APR and Olivia Turpening. Award of Distinction and Judges’ Creativity Award given to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Hamlet’s Eatery for their promotion for the Broadway musical Beetlejuice, presented to Muffy Lavens and Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC. Judges’ Creativity Award and Golden Image Award for Next-Mark’s Fresh Fridays events in downtown Sarasota, presented to JT Grano and Travis Cornwell. Award of Distinction and Judges’ Award for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s midseason brochure, presented to Muffy Lavens and Thom Gravelle. Award of Distinction for The Ringling Museum’s “Watermelon Regatta” conservation press release, presented to Lynn Hobeck-Bates, APR, CPRC and Bethany Ritz. Award of Distinction for CWC-FPRA’s podcast, Just Following Up…Again, presented to Hunter Carpenter, MA, APR, Muffy Lavens and Andrea Knies, APR, CPRC. Silver Pinnacle Award for Nonprofit of the Year to NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties, presented to Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC. Silver Pinnacle Award for Government Team of the Year to Visit Sarasota County, presented to Hunter Carpenter, MA, APR and Olivia Turpening. Silver Pinnacle Award for Mentor of the Year, presented to Sharon Knukel, APR, CPRC. Gold Pinnacle Award for Mentor of the Year, presented to Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC. Gold Pinnacle Award for Young Professional of the Year, presented to Hunter Carpenter, MA, APR. In addition to the Golden Image Awards and Pinnacle Awards, the work of two CWC-FPRA members was recognized by some of the highest honors available.. Elise Ramer, APR, CPRC was awarded the Member of the Year title, which recognizes one member who has made a significant contribution to the association through outstanding leadership, demonstrated enthusiasm, extraordinary involvement, and loyal support. Jennifer Moss Wilson, APR, CPRC received the Doris Fleishman Unsung Hero Award, which honors a selfless, dedicated volunteer who steadfastly and quietly contributes to the public relations profession through FPRA. Inspiration for the award comes from Doris Fleischmann, who graduated from Barnard, and in 1919, became partner in the firm of Edward Bernays, considered the father of modern public relations. Andrea Knies CWC-FPRA Celebrations Director shared, “Our chapter values celebrating each other, the result of that support is showcased in the high quality of work produced by our membership and the tremendous number of well-earned accolades.” Since 1957, FPRA’s Golden Image Awards program has recognized the very best examples of innovation, planning, implementation and results in the field of public relations. Conducted annually, the program provides PR practitioners a platform to be recognized for their outstanding public relations tools and programs. Established in 2024, the Pinnacle Awards are designed to recognize individuals, agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporate teams and government agencies for outstanding and ongoing strategic work in public relations and communications. Photo Caption: CWC-FPRA Chapter members at the Golden Image Awards and Pinnacle Awards Gala (Photo Credit: FPRA/Joe Gallagher) LINK to text LINK to photos Photo Credit: FPRA/Joe Gallagher About the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is a network of public relations, marketing and communications professionals from Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties who come together for professional development and to build a network of peers. As an active part of the oldest statewide public relations organization in our country, CWC-FPRA takes pride in its 50-plus year history of presenting stimulating programs and advancing the professional growth of its members. The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. For more about CWC-FPRA, visit cwcfpra.com. |