The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) will host a networking luncheon and panel discussion on Wednesday, May 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Manatee Community Foundation (2820 Manatee Avenue West) in Bradenton.
Members of the panel, moderated by Jennifer Abbott of the Manatee Community Foundation, will share their experiences with place branding and the principles behind building brand equity that is tied to a region. The local experts who make up the panel are Johnette Isham from Realize Bradenton; Elma Felix, a planner working on the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan; and Carrie Price, Village of the Arts.
This event is open to the public. Tickets are $25/CWC-FPRA members, $35/guests; registration is available online at www.cwcfpra.com. Sponsor for the event is Manatee Community Foundation.
“We are thrilled to bring together experts from our own community to discuss place branding, a concept that is particularly crucial for communications professionals working in areas that rely on tourism and attracting potential new residents,” said Rhonda Leiberick, APR, board president of CWC-FPRA. “It benefits the community at large when public relations and marketing professionals collaborate to position our community as one cohesive, branded location.”
About the panelists:
Moderator: Jennifer Abbott
As director of philanthropy of Manatee Community Foundation, Abbott works closely with current and future donors, professional advisors, and community partners on transformational giving in Manatee County. She brings 25 years of development, marketing and management experience to Manatee Community Foundation in a career reflecting her commitment to building strong, respectful, long-term relationships with donors, volunteers, staff, clients and community leaders.
Johnette Isham
As the executive director of Realize Bradenton, Isham brings her design thinking approach to the events, place branding, and civic engagement projects that promote downtown Bradenton. Isham has earned degrees and advanced certifications from Rhode Island School of Design, Lesley University, Harvard University and Case Western Business School. She has a deep belief that working together works and actively builds bridges to engage partners from multiple sectors in engaged in developing and promoting the physical, cultural, and social assets of the Bradenton area.
Elma J. Felix-Lamontagne
With more than 11 years of experience, Felix-Lamontagne has worked on a variety of global projects at every scale. Her experience focuses on urban-design, master planning, sustainability and policy-based implementation strategies. Her complementary background in architecture helps define the urban rooms in which we live our public lives. Her research includes topics on resiliency, public engagement and the relationship between urban-design and the social equity of places. In her current position, she champions policy and land use solutions that promote economic, social, and environmental benefits for Sarasota County.
Carrie Price
A resident and business owner in the Village of the Arts neighborhood in downtown Bradenton, Price has, for the past decade, participated in creating an identity for the Village of the Arts.
The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets monthly for
professional development luncheons and networking. Visit www.cwcfpra.com for more
information.
About FPRA
Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) is a network of communications professionals from Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties who come together for professional development and to build a network within the communications field. An active part of the oldest statewide public relations organization in the country, CWC-FPRA takes pride in its more than 50-year history of stimulating programs and the professional growth of its members. The mission of the Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. For more information, go to cwcfpra.com.