FPRA Annual Conference: Hope You Had the Time of Your Life
The 68th conference of the Florida Public Relations Association has wrapped up in Amelia Island, Fla.
Lots of great sessions, networking, awards, fun... and even a few surprises. It's been fun. Thanks, Suzanne Sparling, APR for all your hard work in pulling this conference off.
We've also had lots of fun with this conference blog. Thanks to those of you who visited, who commented and sent nice notes along the way. We tried our best to convey to you the look, feel and flavor of an FPRA annual conference. I hope we succeeded.
We hope that those of you who visited will make plans now to attend next year's conference in Sarasota. The investment will pay huge dividends for both your current employer and your career as a public relations professional.
In closing, we wanted to share the final Web stats for the entire three days conference. The event may be over, but the information shared these past few days will remain on this blog for you to refer back to in the future.
Total unique visitors: 1,264Total page views: 4,775
And to borrow a line from a recent Green Day song:
"It's something unpredictablebut in the end it's right.
hope you had the time of your life."
We hope you did.
Visitor Comments
This blog has been a fabulous benefit for those of us who couldn't make it to the conference this year. Thanks so much to all those involved for making it happen!
Posted by: Kelly Powell | August 9, 2006 12:53 PM
The blog was great, and achieved its purpose. I hope to see you there next year!
Posted by: Sandra | August 9, 2006 03:01 PM
Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.
It's not a question
but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.
Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Posted by: Pierre Essay | August 9, 2006 04:31 PM
Well, I would never have believed that I would post to a Blog, but I just couldn't resist. The conference was super! Thanks Suzanne et al., for a great time. Congrats to all the winners--Golden Image, individual, chapter, etc.--you represent the finest in the profession. Adrienne, you led us well this year. Jessica, we can't wait to see what you have in store. If you didn't make it this year, plan your budget for next year NOW so you won't miss one of the outstanding professional development opportunities you could ever have.
Jay
(Maybe the old dog CAN learn this Blogging new trick thing!)
Posted by: Jay Rayburn | August 9, 2006 04:56 PM
The conference blog has been a tremendous service to those of us who couldn't get to Conference but who still wanted to pick up some of the excellent information offered by the speakers and to feel a kinship with our FPRA buddies who actually got to eat the chocolate dessert. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Pat Austin | August 9, 2006 05:46 PM
Dr. Rayburn, thank you for taking the time to comment. That means a great deal to me and I'm sure to the rest of the blog team.
I agree, the conference was fantastic. Suzanne, Adrienne, Jessica and Trista did a great job. I'm already looking forward to Sarasota.
I hope the blog helped show non-attendees what they are missing so they can start planning now to attend next year.
Posted by: Bob O'Malley, APR | August 9, 2006 09:39 PM
Great conference, terrific venue and good friends. What a combination. Love the blog and it is great to see all of the photos. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make this happen. Can't wait until next year. Did you know next year is the 50th Anniversary of the Golden Image Awards??? Stay tuned for some exciting tidbits as we begin the celebration.
Posted by: April Herrle | August 9, 2006 09:47 PM
As a first time attendee at an FPRA state conference, I had a great time. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make this event such a sucess. Your efforts paid off... Thanks to Chris, Josh, Jennifer, and Bob for this blog. Over the last few days each of you gave up your time to share what was going on at the conference especially Chris who was always typing away. It came out great and you should all be proud.
Posted by: James Strenth | August 9, 2006 11:18 PM
One word ... WOW! I had an incredible time at this year's conference. I have attended the annual conference for the last several years and definitely enjoyed this one the most. I learned a lot and enjoyed the time given to network with colleagues. It was great to get to know people outside of board meetings and chapter events. Kudos to everyone who put the conference together and hats off to the brilliant minds who orchestrated the Blog ... what a great resource. I'm better at what I do because of all of you!
Posted by: Jeni Hatter | August 10, 2006 11:39 AM
What a great conference. General session speakers were excellent - great job Suzanne and team! And accomodations were wonderful, so looking forward to next year.
Posted by: Colleen Thayer | August 10, 2006 11:45 AM
Allow me to join Jay Rayburn (I like my crow fried because I get little fried food anymore) but this Blog changed my perspective and opened my eyes to the possibilities. In fact, after providing one of your more hysterical photos, I returned home to discuss with my webmaster the addition of this tool to our Chamber site.
The Blog allowed me to follow the conference and actually feel the excitement of those attending. Great job to Chris, Bob, Josh and all. Adrienne, Colonel Dillin is smiling down on you and all who put this wonderful conference together.
Melea and I WILL be there in 2007.
Posted by: Bob Gernert, | August 10, 2006 11:57 AM
Thank you for taking the time to post such wonderful information on the blog for those of us that were not able to attend. I almost felt like I was there! I really enjoyed it.
Posted by: Kelly King | August 10, 2006 01:57 PM
Impossible not to return to work inspired, jazzed and already planning for Conference 2007 in Sarasota! Thank you: Adrienne for your leadership, Suzanne for an awesome experience, Chris, Cheray and Amanda for all the behind the scenes work, Chris and Josh for the bloggety-blog - very cool, Trish for an outstanding awards festivity.
The presenters were top-notch, the networking was meaningful, but more than anything, the FPRA friendships are priceless!
Like Jay said, put it in your budget NOW, write the dates in your calendar TODAY: Aug 5-8, 2007 at the Ritz in Sarasota!
Posted by: Erin McLeod | August 10, 2006 03:59 PM
Thank you to Chris, Josh and the rest of the bloggers who added an exciting and interactive element to the conference and gently eased dozens of first-time users into the wonderful world of the blogosphere!
Posted by: Dixie Punsky | August 10, 2006 04:11 PM