The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association presented 17 awards for excellence in public relations programming and projects at the 2022 Local Image Awards celebration, held April 28 at Mercola Market in Cape Coral.

The Local Image Awards have become a standard of excellence in the state of Florida. Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design. Image Awards are presented to entries that surpass campaign expectations and objectives, while Awards of Distinction are given to entries that meet judging expectations. Judges’ Awards are given to entries that were smartly budgeted or achieved more with less funding, and the most prestigious award of the evening, the Grand All Image Award, is presented to the overall best entry in each division with submitted entries.

In Division A – Public Relations Programs:

�–� An Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Community Relations category went to Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office, Jennifer J. Edwards and Trish Robertson, APR, CPRC for Art of Democracy.

�–� An Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Public Service category went to Priority Marketing for Kids’ Minds Matter: Unmasking the Epidemic.

�–� An Award of Distinction and Judges’ Award in the Public Relations Programs – Institutional category went to Priority Marketing for Healthcare Network Integrated Marketing Campaign.

�–� An Award of Distinction and Judges’ Award in the Public Relations Programs – Promotional/Marketing category went to Pushing the Envelope, Inc. and Tiffany Hernandez for Unmatched Brunch at Angelina’s.

�–� An Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Promotional/Marketing category went to Priority Marketing for Sunshine Ace Hardware Hurricane Prep.

�–� An Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Promotional/Marketing category went to Pushing the Envelope, Inc. for The Gift of Waterfront Dining.

�–� A Grand All Image Award and Image Award in the Public Relations Program – Integrated Marketing category went to Priority Marketing for the Elite Jets Difference Campaign.

�–� An Image Award in the Public Relations Programs – Special Event category went to Priority Marketing for Market Trends Special Event.

In Division B – Collateral of Public Relations:

�–� A Grand Image Award, Image Award and Judges’ Award in the Collateral of Public Relations – Annual Report category went to Priority Marketing for Guadalupe Center Annual Impact Report.

�–� An Image Award in the Collateral of Public Relations – News Release/Pitch category went to Priority Marketing for Cypress Pharmacy Brain Health Pitch.

In Division C – Digital Tools of Public Relations:

�–� A Grand All Image Award and Image Award in the Digital Tools of Public Relations – Video category went to Priority Marketing for Guadalupe Center “We are the World” Video.

FPRA also presented chapter awards to recognize exceptional members of its local association. This year’s winners were:

�–� Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC, System Director of Strategic Communications & PR at Lee Health. She was honored with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, which is reserved for public relations professionals who have dedicated their career to the profession and the advancement of it. This award is given only when there is someone eligible for it.

�–� Holly Boldrin, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations at Priority Marketing. She received the 2022 PR Professional of the Year Award, which honors a member who exemplifies the high standards of the public relations profession in Southwest Florida.

�–� Sorena Vargas, Graphic Designer at Priority Marketing, who received the 2022 Chapter Member of the Year Award, which is given to a chapter member who goes above and beyond their commitment of time and energy to ensure the success of the organization.

�–� Karen Ryan, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations for LCEC, who is the third recipient of the 2022 Friends of Janet Philanthropy Award. This award honors a member who gives back to their community through volunteering and leadership and was established in memory of Janet Wilson, a true leader during her decade as a chapter member. Passing away unexpectedly in December 2019, Wilson never met a stranger and often joked about her worldwide network of “Friends of Janet.”

�–� Marie Heisler, APR, PR & Communication Manager at Mercola Market, received the 2022 Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes the contributions of a chapter member for his or her hard work and dedication to the chapter and the profession behind the scenes.

�–� Emily Beltran, APR, PR & Communication Coordinator at Mercola Market, who received the 2022 Rising Star Award, which is presented to an up-and-coming leader in the chapter who shows enthusiasm and passion for the PR profession while making a positive difference through their service to the organization.

�–� Alexa Gutierrez, Florida Gulf Coast University FPRA student chapter member. She received the 2022 Pam Nulman Soaring Eagle PR Award, which recognizes student leaders in public relations who demonstrate exceptional leadership ability, talent and passion for the profession as well as contributions to the student organization.

Four FPRA Annual Conference scholarship winners were also selected by the awards committee. The 2022 recipients were:

�–� Emily Beltran, APR, PR & Communication Coordinator at Mercola Market

�–� Lauren Bernaldo, Chief Communications Officer at the Lee County Tax Collector

�–� Evelyn Longa, APR, Public Information Officer at Collier County Public Utilities

�–� Susan Frantz, CEO and Founder of Frantz Marketing Solutions

Established in 1938, FPRA is the oldest public relations organization dedicated to developing public relations practitioners, who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. It is comprised of 15 professional and 14 student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking and professional recognition opportunities. The Southwest Florida Chapter serves professionals in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For additional information, please visit the Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA website at www.fpraswfl.org.