Mar 03, 2026 08:00am – 9:00am
Members of the PRSA Gulf Coast Chapter gathered at Creme de la Creme for coffee, delicious breakfast, and meaningful conversation about our respective work passions!
Webinar
The Modern PR Pro's
AI Playbook
PR pros across SWFL joined a virtual presentation by PRSA National Board Member, Dr. Cayce Myers, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., APR. Dr. Myers did a great job breaking down the essential skills and tools communicators need to effectively and ethically use AI, with a window to its future. A big thank you to Dr. Myers for his valuable insights!
Power Hour
Unlock The Value of PRSA & Supercharge Your
Professional Development
To kick off 2026, PRSA Gulf Coast welcomed three representatives from PRSA National for an upbeat, fast-paced session designed to help attendees understand and maximize everything their membership has to offer. Throughout the panel, our national guests broke down the real advantages of being part of PRSA: the tools you may not be using, the perks you didn’t know existed, and the resources that can make your work stronger and your career move faster.
Storybrand for the Season Messaging that Converts
in SW Florida
As “season” ramps up across SWFL, businesses and organizations are competing for attention more than ever. In this fun and fast-paced session, StoryBrand Certified Guide David Wildman will show you how to cut through the noise and create clear, compelling messages that move people to action. This session is interactive and practical! You’ll walk away with tools you can apply right away to sharpen your brand message and drive results.
SWFL Influencer Panel
The Art of Brand-Creator Collaboration
On October 21, our chapter heard from top local influencers and brands including The Perry Hotel, Paradise Coast Parent, Love SWFL, and Blackbird Modern Asian as they shared insights on building authentic partnerships, maximizing reach, and navigating the evolving digital landscape.
The Art of Improv &
Impactful Communication
On September 16 PRSA Gulf Coast Chapter partnered with The Naples Players for a fun, interactive workshop exploring the “Yes, And!” approach to communication, inspired by the world of Improv! Taught by Kip Fitzsimmons and Craig Price, Improv professionals with 40+ years of combined experience. As a group, we engaged in activities that teach quick thinking active listening, and confident messaging.
A Strategic Approach to
Crisis Response
On June 17, Ashley Maher of Disaster Ready Collier and Joshua Starrett of Emergency Management gave us a comprehensive look at how their organizations are working to strengthen community resilience before, during, and after disasters, and how they’re encouraging volunteers to sign up at https://disasterreadycollier.org/volunteer. Thanks to the Collier Community Foundation for hosting this informative event!
Evolving Media Landscape
Media Breakfast
On May 22, PRSA Gulf Coast Chapter and Florida Public Relations Association SWFL Chapter hosted their annual Media Breakfast at Artichoke & Company, featuring the insights of four of our region’s respected journalists: Wendy Fullerton Powell of Naples Daily News, Tim Klutsarits of Gulf Coast News (ABC and NBC-TV); Melissa Vogt of Florida Weekly, and Mike Braun of WGCU Public Media.
Brew & Build Event February 18
at Cafe Creme de la Creme
Our chapter enjoyed before-work networking this morning at Cafe Crème de La Crème, one of Naples‘ most stylish and delicious breakfast spots!
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Bridging Gaps: Communicating for Inclusive Health Care: Voices from the Field: Experiences and Strategies
Participants gained invaluable insights into how effective communication strategies can address health disparities and improve health care outcomes for all. The panelists answered participants’ questions based on their experiences and offered practical advice to help communicators understand the challenges traditionally underserved patients face.’ Thank you to our health care experts on helping us enhance our communication skills to promote health equity.
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
10 Things You Can Do Next Week to Improve Your Online Reputation
This one-hour webinar, our group heard from Josh Greene, CEO of The Mather Group, and learned some great tips to boost their online presence. We learned the sites you need to know about, including social media platforms, search engines and review sites, how to develop a plan for refreshing your digital brand and Wikipedia tips and tricks.
July 25 and 26, 2024
SunCon PRSA Conference
Hosted by PRSA Orlando in partnership with PRSA Sunshine District, the conference theme, Once Upon a Strategy, focused on the importance of strategic storytelling in developing and implementing effective public relations campaigns and beyond.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Beyond the Bubble - Mass Communications Strategies to Reach Further
Collier Count Public Schools Chief Communications Officer Chad Oliver delivered the latest news from around the District, looks ahead at what’s in the future, and discusses with this group of PR pros how to reach further in terms of mass communication to key stakeholders.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
PR Pot O' Gold: Where Communicators Connect Mixer
It was a fun evening with PRSA members! We mingled, shared stories, and celebrated the dynamic world of public relations. Those who brought a guest received a chance to win a raffle basket filled with lucky charms.
Thursday, February 23, 2024
How communicators can maximize AI in 2024: Practical advice from SWFL Experts
Our February 23 Lunch and Learn, co-hosted with Florida Gulf Coast University’s Center for Innovation and Partnerships, helped participants learn about AI best practices (and legal-ethical perils) to help them appropriately use generative artificial intelligence. Thanks to our incredible presenters, Dr. Chrissane Ruehle, FGCU’s Provost Faculty Fellow for AI and Management Instructor at the Lutgert College of Business, and to Intellectual Property Attorney and AI expert Mark A. Nieds of Widerman Malek, for their knowledge and advice!
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Soar into 2024! Take your communication leadership to new heights with Mina Merkel
We kicked off 2024 at Naples Airport Authority with our featured speaker, Mina Merkel, who provided an essential primer on the art and importance of listening as PR pros and leaders.
We also had the honor of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) National President, Joseph Abreu, APR, CPRC, swearing in our 2024 Board Officers. Joseph is a member of our very own Gulf Coast Chapter and we are so proud of his leadership and looking forward to a bright year
Friday, June 16, 2023
Trending Forward: PR Strategies in the Social Media Landscape
Our lunch and learn event on Tuesday, October 17 at Champions For Learning -Trending Forward: PR Strategies in the Social Media Landscape – offered four unique perspectives on social media best practices. Thanks to FOX 4 Anchor Shari Armstrong, Gulfshore Business and Naples Press Senior Editor Tim Aten, @NaplesFoodie influencer Cecilia, and Lee Health Social Media Coordinator Keegan Myers, MBA for a lively and informative discussion!
Friday, June 16, 2023
Mastering Media Interviews
The PRSA Gulf Coast Chapter and Florida Public Relations Association SWFL joined together to gain valuable insights into mastering media interviews and coaching teams toward the art of effective communication. Thank you to our speakers, Holly Hamilton Boldrin, APR, CPRC, Senior Director of Public Relations for Priority Marketing and Mary Briggs, System Director for Media Relations at Lee Health.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Beyond the Wine with NCEF
Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of NCEF, shared her perspective with funding partners through the pandemic, hosting the wildly successful NCEF annual event and overseeing the extensive charitable grants process that distributes funding.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Crisis Communications
Chief Stephanie Spell from Collier County Sherriff’s Office (retired), and Courtney Jolly, Marketing Director at the the Naples Zoo, shared how pre-planning and open communications helped them navigate the tragedy involving the Zoo’s beloved tiger Eko and the CCSO officers’ response.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Diversity & Inclusion
Precious Green Gunter, Chief Equity, Ethics, and Compliance Officer, and Title IX Coordinator at Florida Gulf Coast University, discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our organizations and provided guidance and best practices on how to navigate within the workplace and our own environments.
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 3:30PM to 4:45 PM
Behind-the-Scenes: Covering the Biggest News Story of 2022 – Hurricane Ian
Gulf Coast PRSA and the Press Club of Southwest Florida partnered to host a exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of WGCU Public Media and listen to Corey Lewis, General Manager of WGCU, regarding the hard work and amazing collaborations of local weather and news teams as they covered Hurricane Ian.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 5:30-7:00 PM
Jingle & Mingle Annual PRSA Holiday Party
We had a wonderful time at our Annual Jingle & Mingle at the Naples Botanical Garden. Thank you to our board members, chapter members, and all those who supported our local chapter in 2022. We are looking forward to a bright 2023!
Thursday, August 25, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM
Summer Social at Riptide Brewing
Cheers to networking and great friendships. We had an excellent turn out for our late summer social event.
Friday, June 3, 2022, 8:30-11:30 AM
Rise & Shine Media Breakfast 2022
In partnership with Florida Public Relations Association SWFL Chapter, PRSA was pleased to host “Rise & Shine – Earn the Spotlight with Media Insight.” Public relations professionals and business owners had the opportunity to strengthen their media relations efforts and learn more about earning PR coverage by interacting with news anchors, editors and producers from our area.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 11:30 AM
Managing Your Online Reputation
It only takes one innocent misstep to risk digital damage to reputations and businesses. Even if you’re using a reputation management service, there can be limitations. Carrie Kerskie of Kerskie Group, LLC, shared a few tricks that PR professionals can incorporate into their daily business interactions to safeguard their identities.
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
An Inside Look at the Communications Strategies at Arthrex
From global communications plans to community and philanthropic outreach in Southwest Florida, Arthrex’s communications teams literally do it all, and they do it in-house. We heard from Steven Doane and Meg Hardt regarding their communications strategies and took a tour of their newly expanded north Naples facility.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Workplace Wellness: Mind Your Mind
Scott Burgess from the David Lawrence Centersfor Behavioral Health shared information regarding this non-profit’s year-long “Mind Your Mind” community initiative.”
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Media Training - What to Say, How to Say and What Not to Say
Communications Consultant and Media Expert, Chad Oliver, shared thoughts on:
• When to go all in & put yourself, your CEO, or other colleagues on-camera
• Producing the coverage and prepping for interviews
• Deciding when and how best to communicate your stance on controversial issues.
Friday, February 18, 2022 at 7:30 - 10:00 PM
PRSA Networking & Fun at the Florida Everblades
We bundled up and brought our family and friends to cheer on the Florida Everblades Professional Hockey Club at Hertz Arena.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Jack of All Trades: Master of None
Videography, photography, social media, public relations, SEO, web design and ad buys oh my! Whether you are a one-man-band or a small marketing ensemble, it’s hard to stay current with the ever-changing trends in our field and even harder to master them all. We brought in three local experts to discuss when it’s best to hire out a project or ongoing need or tackle it yourself.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.