Past Events
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!
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
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Soar into 2024! Take your communication leadership to new heights with Mina Merkel
Tuesday, October 17, 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.