September President’s PRoclaimer Message

By Sarah Kelliher, APR

Happy September! After a great year under Juliette Gebken-Mayi's leadership, I'm honored to step into the role of chapter president for the year ahead.

First, congratulations to every FPRA Golden Image and Pinnacle Award winner from the PR & Comms Summit last month. I was thrilled (and, admittedly, not surprised!) to see so many of our chapter members recognized among the best in our profession.

I was especially proud to see FPRA Orlando earn two President's Awards at the President's Luncheon, for "Investing in the Future" and "Membership Growth." As the largest FPRA chapter in the state, we know both are critical to our continued success. We have a strong foundation, and I'm excited to keep that momentum going.

At the state level, FPRA President April Salter, APR, CPRC, has chosen "One FPRA" as this year's theme. It reflects the idea that while we are made up of chapters across Florida, we are one association and one community committed to supporting our members and advancing our profession.

That theme resonates with me because, as I shared at our board installation event on Aug. 21, what I love most about FPRA has always been the community. It's the industry peers who start as strangers and eventually grow to become mentors. The fellow board members who later become true friends. The people you meet at an event and later call when you need career advice, encouragement or someone who just simply understands what you're going through.

That's the kind of community I want us to keep building here in Orlando. I want each of our members to know that FPRA Orlando is a place you can turn to — whether you're celebrating a promotion, starting a new job, earning your APR or CPRC or landing a dream client, or whether you're between jobs, facing a difficult season or experiencing a personal loss. I want this chapter to be there.

My hope is that you continue to come to our programs not just because the speaker is great or the networking is valuable, but because you know you'll leave feeling better than when you arrived. If we can keep creating that kind of experience, we're going to have another incredible year.

Thank you for all you do to advance our profession.

With gratitude,
Sarah Kelliher, APR
President, FPRA Orlando Area Chapter