PRU 2014 Speakers Announced!

PRU isn't until October but registration is open now for the 2014 "Climbing the PR Ladder" event! We even have a few speakers lined up to tell you about! Click here to register now and catch the early bird registration rates.

David Essel 

About: 
David Essel, M.S. is an Author, National Radio and Television Host, Master Life, Business and Relationship Coach, Adjunct Professor, All Faiths Minister, Addiction Recovery Coach and International Speaker. His mission is to inspire others to reach their own exceptional potential in their business and personal life. His purely positive national radio show of 23 years, “David Essel Alive!,” is heard on iHeart Radio every Saturday from 6-9pm EST. David’s professional presentations on how to lead a passionate and inspiring life have drawn rave reviews from corporations such as Chico’s, Nestlé, and Boeing, media outlets such as FOX and Premiere/Clear Channel Radio, as well as non-profit organizations like the March of Dimes and Unity Church. David Essel offers coaching and group sessions via phone to anywhere in the world. For more information call (941) 266-7676 or visit davidessel.com.

Keith Grossman 

About:

Keith helps individuals and businesses manage conflict more comfortably. Keith is an attorney, a Family and Circuit Civil mediator certified by the Supreme Court of Florida, an Arbitrator qualified by the Florida Supreme Court, a trainer, a facilitator, and a conflict management coach working with individual’s one-on-one. Keith’s goal is to offer solutions to conflict at an early stage so that his clients stay out of court, don’t go broke, and preserve relationships.

Keith has worked with businesses as a lawyer, a trainer, and a facilitator. His services center around communication skills, conflict management skills, and consensus building. Keith has frequently lectured and facilitated training programs and has written articles on conflict management topics. He also is the writer of the conflict management blog ResolvingConflictsNow.com.

Keith graduated from the University of Florida with a law degree as well as a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He is a Past President of the Lee County Bar Association, as well as a member of the Collier County Bar Association, Collaborative Professionals of Southwest Florida, International Association of Facilitators, American Society for Training and Development, and Society for Human Resource Management.

Erik Stafford

About:
Erik Stafford comes from an advertising and design background and have won numerous awards over the past fifteen years, including several AAF-ADDY Awards and some other ones with equally important sounding names.

As Creative Director at ISOOSI Marketing Agency, Erik has worked with a wide range of companies around the globe, and he has consulted "behind the scenes" on several high-profile launches and marketing campaigns, providing his expertise to increase responsiveness and conversions.

Erik is widely recognized as an Internet Marketing expert, and his direct response design and conversion tactics have been responsible for millions in sales.

Erik and his family live in the small town of Cape Coral, Florida. When he's not working, he can usually be found reading, cooking vegan meals, or sleeping on the beach.

August APR Trivia

Question: Which is NOT a KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) competency measured on the written exam for Accreditation in Public Relations?

A.    Media Relations

B.     Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluating Programs

C.     Social Media

D.    Business Literacy

Answer: C. Social Media. This is an important communications medium and public relations tactic, but not a KSA evaluated on the exam.

August President's Word

Hello fellow PR Professionals,
It’s with happiness and sadness that I write this last newsletter article. It’s been my honor to serve as your President for the last year and as I look ahead at the activities to come I’m excited for what the future holds. The 2013-2014 year has been a busy one with many activities, new members joining the fold and even new babies! We never can foresee the future and I certainly had no idea how the year would turn out, but in reflection, I couldn’t have asked for more. Each member of the board and leadership team has done an outstanding job. For that, I thank you. This has truly been a team effort and what a great team of leaders this chapter has! Speaking of which, prepare for an even more amazing year as Heidi Taulman, APR prepares to take the reigns. Our Chapter Member of the Year, I have no doubt she will lead this chapter well and represent each of you to the best of her ability. Thank you for being a member of the Southwest Florida chapter of FPRA and for what you bring to our profession. Thank you for the trust you placed in me to lead this organization and for the friendship you’ve extended this year. I treasure the experience and each of you. For those of you attending Annual Conference, I will see you soon and don’t forget to - Think FPRA!

Samantha Scott, APR

August Social Media Corner

Boost engagement with help from these free stock photo resources

It’s no secret that adding a photo to a Facebook post will strengthen engagement with followers. Posts with an eye-catching photo have a higher chance of scoring likes, comments, or shares and with the Facebook interface being simple enough to add images, why not use them?   Sometimes there isn’t a photo readily available in your stash for whatever message you’re sharing so there may be occasions where help is needed. 

In a recent article by Ragan.com, some of the best sites are provided that offer free media files to help with any marketing initiative including blog posts and social updates. 

We’ve included the article in this month’s social media corner as it’s an excellent resource and provides access to 39 websites that may be able to help you boost your engagement.

Check out the article at:

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/48581.aspx

Meet the Panelist: Vicki Collins, Community Relations Director/Public Relations Officer, Lee County Supervisor of Elections

239-533-6335

vcollins@leeelections.com

Vicki Collins is the Community Relations Director and Public Information Officer for the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office.  Her initiation into Major elections began with the 2000 Presidential Election and the infamous hanging, dimpled, and pregnant chads. 

Vicki has been a member of the Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA since 2006, has served on the Board and assisted the Chapter in various capacities.  She received the chapter’s Rising Star Award in 2008.

Vicki is happily married, the mother of three wonderful adult children, and the blessed grandmother of two precious granddaughters.  She practices yoga & meditation, is an avid reader, and a notorious knitter!