State of the Industry: Moving Forward in a Changed World

PRSA Orlando, North Florida and Tampa Bay chapters welcome expert panelists to discuss how they embraced changes over the past year.

Three public relations trailblazers share how COVID-19 changed our profession forever, and the tools that are helping build stronger stakeholder relationships in our new normal.

In March 2020, COVID-19 rocked our world. The abrupt closure of public spaces and workplaces ushered in a new era of virtual connectivity and physical distancing with restricted access to people, places, friends and families. Public Relations practitioners faced the challenge of cutting through the constant flood of information to connect with stakeholders, foster new relationships and fight misinformation during the biggest health crisis of our lifetime. But how?

PRSA North Florida, Orlando and Tampa Bay chapters welcome expert panelists and leading Public Relations industry leaders who will share how they cut through the clutter and embraced the changes that will impact our profession forever. Leaders will share both their wins and failures, and the new strategies and tools they employed to build stronger relationships with stakeholders, and the current challenges they’re tackling as we inch closer to “normalcy.”

Moderator of Distinction:

  • Mickey G. Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, Professional-in-Residence, University of Florida Department of Public Relations

Expert Panelists:

  • Kathy Barbour, APR, Fellow PRSA, VP Marketing Communications, Brooks Rehabilitation
  • Sam Gardner, Director of Marketing & Communications, Florida Citrus Sports
  • Kelsy Long, Director of Media Relations, Clearwater Marine Aquarium

In addition to the panel, attendees will also have an opportunity to network with communications professionals from around the state and to discuss how we can continue to move forward and grow the value of public relations in our new, post-COVID world.