
The Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA earns honors for the highest award in the statewide association, the Chapter President of the Year Award, the President’s Award for Community Involvement and Accreditation & Certification
Sarasota, FL – September 8, 2020 – The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) was recognized during FPRA’s annual Golden Image Awards held for the first ever virtual event recognizing and celebrating excellence in outstanding public relations program in Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations in the state of Florida.
CWC-FPRA won the President’s Award for “Community Involvement,” in recognition of the chapter’s commitment to community service by creating and hosting an event called “Operation Gratitude” which not only gave financially to an incredible cause but also generated strong media coverage in the region. The event featured the showing of the full documentary highlighting the life of the board game Operation inventor, Mr. Spinello, a life-size Operation board game and an appearance by Spinello himself. The chapter set a goal to raise $10,000 and surpassed that goal by $576.
CWC-FPRA also won the President’s Award for “Accreditation & Certification,” in recognition of the most members receiving their accreditations and certifications.
Christopher Carroll, APR, CPRC, was honored with the highest, most prestigious award of the Association, the John W. Dillin Award. This award honors the spirit and dedication of FPRA’s first president and founder, Lt. Col. John Dillin, and his lifetime of service to and support of the Association.
Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC received the Chapter President of the Year Award for the exhibiting such passion and enthusiasm for creating an environment where chapter members could make meaningful and authentic connections. She challenged her board to make membership purposeful, to make all members feel welcome and she found creative ways to get past presidents back involved, sharing their expertise and perspective. She implemented a new mentorship program and exceeded her our participation goal in the inaugural program. “It’s been a privilege to serve as the Central West Coast Chapter President. The Florida Public Relations Association State President, Alyson Lundell, APR, CPRC is such an inspiration and one of my heroes. To be recognized by her at the State level is such an honor,” said chapter president Kim Livengood.
The following chapter members were also awarded for their work. With a Golden Image Award and Judges Award going to Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, of Eclipse Agency for “Spotlight on Limelight District”, Natasha Herrera of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for “Small Town, Big Roar”, Laitin Schwerin of On Ideas for “ClosetMaid Media Kit”, and Hunter Carpenter of Community Foundation of Sarasota County for “Website Redesign”. Elise Ramer of Sotheby’s International Realty also won a Golden Image Award for “Share A Story Sunday”. The following members won a Judges Award and an Award of Distinction; Lynn Hobeck Bates of Selby Gardens for “Selby Gardens Membership Benefit Restructure Communication”, Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, of Eclipse Agency for “Operation Gratitude”, Sheryl Vieira of Caldwell Trust Company for “InStride Therapy Black Tie and Blue Jeans, An Equestrian Gala”, Andrea Knies, APR, of Sarasota Arts & Cultural Alliance for “We Stand for the Arts”. Individual Awards of Distinction were given to Heather McLain and Anand Pallegar of AtLarge for “The Bay”, Andrea Knies, APR, of Sarasota Arts & Cultural Alliance for “Division of Cultural Affairs 50th Anniversary Celebration”, Erin Hoffer, APR, CPRC, of KSC, Inc. for “Texas School Safety Grant Campaign”, and Heather McLain and Anand Pallegar of AtLarge for “Ask The Bay”.
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets monthly for professional development luncheons and networking. Visit www.cwcfpra.com for the latest details.
About The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA)
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is a network of more than 100 public relations, marketing and communications professionals from Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties who come together for professional development and to build a network of peers. As an active part of the oldest statewide public relations organization in our country, CWC-FPRA takes pride in its 50-plus year history of presenting stimulating programs and advancing 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 about CWC-FPRA, go to cwcfpra.com.