PR University November 4 teaches “Mastering the Art of Public Relations” – offers scholarships

Oct. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) is hosting its annual one-day professional development seminar, PR University on Friday, November 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33907. This year's event, “PR University: The Art of PR,” will examine trends in the changing market and the fusion of new media and traditional communication elements.

The event will include presentations from Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, who will speak on “Measurement” and Lois Thome, co-anchor at WINK-TV, who will speak on “Avoiding Bad News Releases.” Dr. Hine’s academic interests and publications include the subjects of text/image relationships, contemporary art and literature, and the opportunities of new media. Ms. Thome has garnered many awards and recognitions, including Best News Anchor in Southwest Florida, the Phi Delta Kappa Lay Person of the Year, and the Quill Pen Award from the Florida Association of School Administrators.  

Other speakers and topics include Michelle Bono, Tallahassee Government Communications Department, on “Public Relations Planning and Objectives”; Tara Tyler, Voice123, on “How Not to Write Commercials”; Joe Curley, University of Florida, on “Communicating”; and Kate Gooderham, Gooderham & Associates, on “Sunshine Laws” and a case study by “Step Up for Students.”

Full-day registration is $90 for non-members; $75 for members; and $35 for students. Register is open at http://www.fpraswfl.org until Friday, October 28. Coffee breaks and lunch will be provided.  

For the third year, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is offering a limited number of half-scholarships to local area nonprofit organizations to attend Public Relations University. The scholarship will be applied to the regular-registration cost. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying should send a 50-word summary to Michelle Nagel at m@michelleinnovation.com. Only one member per organization can apply. Scholarships are on a first-come first-served basis.

Thanks to a generous sponsorship from the News-Press Media Group, FPRA is proud to offer two full student scholarships to attend PRU. Students interested in applying should send a 50-word summary to Michelle Nagel at m@michelleinnovation.com. Scholarships are on a first-come first-served basis.

A special thank you to the sponsors who make PR University possible: Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc., J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc., The News-Press Media Group, and http://www.MyRiverDistrict.com.

Established in 1938, FPRA 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. Learn more at http://www.fpra.org.

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The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to programs and activities that enhance the success of public relations professionals in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades Counties. For more information, visit our website at http://www.fpraswfl.org.