Lessons from Conference

77th Annual FPRA Conference
PR Now: Stronger, Smarter, Faster

The 2015 FPRA Annual Conference, held earlier this month in Orlando Florida, equipped attending public relations professionals for success with high-caliber speakers, lively networking sessions, and several recognition ceremonies that honored outstanding PR achievements and accreditation.

General sessions and breakout presentations highlighted current and emerging trends, tools, and tactics that add value to the PR industry today. As keynote speaker Keri Potts shared during her general session, Captain of Your Own Career, “Keep an eye on the future and fight to stay on top . . . Figure out what is important to you, and go for that. Be flexible if necessary, but never lose hold of confidence.”

Potts encouraged her audience to make tough decisions about their career and aspire to do great things. Other speakers at the conference echoed these sentiments, and provided tips and techniques in numerous areas: branding, analytics, content development, media relations, social media strategy, and more.

Join this year’s conference scholarship recipients as they share key takeaways during the monthly membership meeting on Sept. 1. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear wisdom from PR practitioners from Walt Disney World Resort, Google, and the Poynter Institute. RSVP online at http://www.fpraswfl.org/event-registration/?ee=38.

August Social Media Corner

Those of you who attended FPRA’s Annual Conference know firsthand the awesome energy that was flowing, but those who weren’t there had a chance to feel it through social media. The social media posts highlighted favorite speakers and sessions and announced and congratulated award recipients. They also showed how gorgeous everyone looked at the Golden Image Awards banquet and made everyone’s mouth water with the pictures of the infamous FPRA Chocolate Break and the Dillin Dessert!  These posts did more than make those who didn’t attend want to mark their calendars for next year – they trended on social media! The conference hashtag #FPRA2015AC was up to number three during the Golden Image Awards banquet on August 11. Here are a few tips to get your next event’s hashtag trending:

1.     Create a unique hashtag: Choose a hashtag that is unique to your event. Be sure you check to see that it hasn’t been used before and that it’s not been used in a negative way.  

2.     Start the conversation: Start using the hashtag in social media posts about the event and continue to use it as you post updates and relevant information throughout the event.

3.     Let attendees know the official hashtag and ask them to use it: Simply make attendees aware of the official hashtag and ask them to use it when posting pictures or Tweeting about your event.

4.     Offer incentives: Many guests will use the hashtag without an incentive, but offering up some sort of prize or even an upgrade at the event may give them more motivation. 

            These are just a few tips to help your next event trend. If you missed the conference, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter page to see our PR superheroes in action at the conference and examples of the #FPRA2015AC hashtag.  

Resources:

•  http://sproutsocial.com/insights/how-to-get-hashtags-to-trend/
•  https://www.hashtags.org/platforms/twitter/how-to-get-your-hashtag-trending-on-twitter/  
•  https://www.facebook.com/FPRA.State/photos/a.619867184739294.1073741827.147630328629651/1019277034798305/?type=1&theater 

2015 Public Relations University: Feel the Magic!

Your PR University (PRU) planning committee is simply magical! Organizing and planning is in full swing and we’d like to reveal yet another exciting speaker: Alyson Lundell, Director of Corporate Communications for Universal Orlando Resort.

The majority of Alyson’s career has been in the tourism industry, yet in her current position with Universal she facilitated a number of attraction openings including; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in 2014 and TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D. Alyson also oversees publicity for annual events like Mardi Gras and Halloween Horror Nights.

Alyson will share a little of her PR magic with our chapter on Thursday, October 8. She will discuss the preparation that went into bringing one of the most beloved children’s books to life as a theme park that earns over $700 million in revenue.

Registration for PRU is open now at www.fpraswfl.org. Take advantage of the early bird rates before September 9. The conference will be in Room U-102, Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919.