Carolyn Rogers presents “Putting the ‘Special’ in Events” at FPRA luncheon May 7

May 6, 2012 - PRLog -- The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Southwest Florida Chapter welcomes Carolyn Rogers, APR, CPRC, CFRE and principal of SimplifyPR on Monday, May 7, 2012 who will present “Putting the ‘Special’ in Events.” Ms. Rogers is the event and PR coordinator for the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, Lee County’s all-time largest netting fundraising event and one of the top 10 wine auctions in the USA. Joining her will be two of the Wine Fest “dream team” members, Wendy Fullerton, assistant managing editor for targeted content of The New-Press, and Randy Darrow, principal of Palm Printing Strategic Solutions. The monthly luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, located at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.  

Built on a platform of proven fundraising techniques and a strong public relations plan, the year-long planning involves oversight of a cadre of grassroots supporters and incorporates the generosity, teamwork, skills and contacts of numerous bidders, volunteers, donors, and sponsors. During the last four years, the event has grown from netting $750,000 to $2.3 million. Part of its legacy is the Fund-a-Cause auction lot that this year raised $400,000 to purchase nine incubators for The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, adding to the seven incubators purchased in the prior three years cumulative.

With more than 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing, advertising and nonprofit fund development, Ms. Rogers holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a specialization in public relations from the University of South Florida, Tampa. She has achieved Certification as a Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), and the Universal Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and is also a member of FPRA’s Counselors' Network. As former development director at both The Children’s Hospital and Canterbury School, she has also achieved certification in professional fundraising through CFRE International.

Ms. Rogers’ work has been recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association with Golden Image Awards for best public relations program in the state for special events in 2010 and 2009, and for best community relations program in 2008. Her work has also received local awards including recognition by the Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA for public relations programs, special events and printed tools, and a 2009 Silver ADDY awarded by the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Advertising Federation for best brochure/sales kit. SimplifyPR http://www.simplifypr.com/ is a full-service marketing and public relations firm located in Fort Myers, Florida.

The cost to attend the luncheon meeting is $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers, and $10 for students with advance reservations. Walk-ins are welcome for an additional fee of $5. For reservations or more information, please visit http://www.fpraswfl.org.

Established in 1938, Florida Public Relations Association is the oldest public relations organization in the country. FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners, who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida.