Fourteen members of the Dick Pope–Polk County Chapter joined peers from across Florida for FPRA’s 2025 PR & Comms Summit at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, August 3–6. From mainstage moments to skill-building breakouts, Summit delivered fresh ideas and plenty to celebrate. fpra.org

Our first days included the Sunday Welcome and Monday Presidents’ Luncheon, where chapter members picked up two state honors—Professional Development and Chapter Collaboration—and Merissa Green was recognized as a 2025 Joe Curley Rising Leader. The Rising Leader class is honored at Summit during the Presidents’ Luncheon each year.

Programming was stacked: members attended a fireside chat moderated by April Salter, APR, CPRC with Pamela Greenwalt, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at SAG-AFTRA; a Virality Playbook session on how iconic brands sustain visibility; Fan Power Unleashed; Trust Transformation with author Roy Reid; and a general session previewing Epic Universe. On the final day, we even got a look at how the Savannah Bananas built Banana Ball into a cultural phenomenon (and we can neither confirm nor deny any Polk County appearances just yet!).

Summit tradition was in full force, too. The chapter cheered on colleagues at the Golden Image Awards Gala, FPRA’s hallmark celebration of excellence in public relations. And yes—the beloved Dillin Dessert returned, sponsored by Publix and presented during the Presidents’ Luncheon.

We also celebrated leadership milestones: Lindsay Hudock was installed as FPRA State President; Katrina Hill as DPPC Chapter President; and Cindy Combee Rodriguez as incoming Chair of LeadershipFPRA—FPRA’s selective leadership development program

From trust as a “currency” to the mechanics of fan-powered brands, this year’s Summit equipped our members with practical frameworks and fresh perspective to bring home to Polk County. If you missed it, mark your calendar for next year’s Summit and the Golden Image Awards—both are cornerstone FPRA experiences.