SunCon25 Agenda

AGENDA OVERVIEW

1:00 p.m. – Registration opens

2:30 p.m. – Opening remarks

3:00-3:50 p.m. – Opening Keynote

Bob Kodzis, inspirational speaker. His workLIFE talk is one of those presentations that just may change your life. Full of amazing and interesting images and stories, it is designed to help audience members to find better balance, priorities and happiness as they juggle the complexities and the challenges of their work and lives.

3:50-4:10 p.m. – Exhibitor Showcase

Here’s your chance to meet our extraordinary exhibitors and learn how they can help you and your business thrive!

4:10-5:00 p.m. – Breakout session 1

Bridging the Philanthropic Gap: The state of alternative media and how influencers and podcasts are integrating into an earned/paid landscape. Jerail Fennell, MS, Marketing & Communications Director, 904WARD; Host & Producer, The Dignified Delinquents Podcast | The Business of Race Podcast | The Health Disparities Podcast
From Keywords to Coverage: SEO Strategies for Online Visibility and Earned Media. Sherry Sanderford, Director, PR & Thought Leadership, Wounded Warrior Project; Kendra Hand, Content Manager, Wounded Warrior Project
Inside the Message: Public Information Officers on the Front Lines of Communication

7:00-9:00 p.m. – Radiance Awards Gala

Includes award presentations, light bites and drinks. Don’t miss this opportunity to mix and mingle with your fellow PR professionals in your finest sparkles!

8:00-9:00 a.m. – Registration and Breakfast

8:30-9:15 a.m. – Opening Keynote

Tonya Oxendine, Warriors Speak Spokesperson, Wounded Warrior Project. Tonya Oxendine exemplifies strong leadership. In this session, she will take us through her life story, from abject poverty to successfully becoming one of the first black female command sergeants major in the history of the U.S. Army’s prestigious 82^nd Airborne Division. Her presentation will teach techniques and tactics to be a better leader in your own life – even if you aren’t in a leadership role – while engaging, entertaining, and educating about the difference between leading through influence and leading through power.

9:30-10:20 a.m. – Breakout session 2

Bridging AI Barriers: PRESS Forward: Using AI-Powered Prompt Engineering to Elevate Your PR Strategy. Marcia Gomez, President – Blank Canvas Communications; Faculty, University of Miami
Bridging Health Barriers: How Healthcare Professionals Connect their Care with Equitable PR
Bridging the Philanthropic Gap: How nonprofit communications leaders can keep up with the shifting media landscape in Florida. Deirdre Conner, CEO, The Tributary: A Northeast Florida Journalism Collective.

10:30-11:20 a.m. – Breakout session 3

Bridging AI Barriers: Working with AI Instead of Against It. Frank Goodin, Instructor, University of North Florida
Bridging the Venue: How Sports Teams Share their Impact Story Off the Field. Hear from representatives from the Jacksonville Jaguars, PGA Tour, Sporting JAX and others.
Bridging the Divide: How to Manage it All When You’re the Solo PR Person. Heather Schatz, Assistant Director of Public Affairs, City of Jacksonville.

11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. – Breakout session 4

Bridging the Ordinary: Local media panel discussion on the state of media and how PR professionals can best leverage the fourth estate
Building The Bridge in a Crisis: Combating Misinformation During a Storm – using social listening to identify and tackle the surge of misinformation during Hurricane Milton and how these tactics can apply to other scenarios. Robyn Felix, APR, Communications & Board Services Bureau Chief, Southwest Florida Water Management District
A Career in PR: From PRSSA to APR and the College of Fellows (pane discussion). Mickey Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, Professional-in-Residence, Public Relations, University of Florida; Kathy Barbour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Brooks Rehabilitation; Jennifer Trefelner, APR, CPRC, Director of Communications and Development, Diocese of Palm Beach

12:30-1:50 p.m. – Lunch & Keynote

Ray Day, APR, PRSA Chair, will provide an update on PRSA’s “State of the Organization”
PRSSA to PRSA Scholarship Recipients Recognition Ceremony
APR Pinning Ceremony

2:00-2:50 p.m. – Breakout session 5

Bridging AI Barriers Panel Discussion: AI and the Future of PR
Bridging Your Neighborhood: Applying a Hyper-Local Approach to Marketing Your Neighborhoods and Cities
Bridging Health Barriers: Healthcare Success Story: Going from local to national coverage. Kathy Barbour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Brooks Rehabilitation

2:50-3:30 p.m. – Exhibitor Showcase

4:00-5:15 p.m. – Closing Keynote

Shannon Miller, The Gold Medal Mindset: Motivation, Goal Setting & Success. Shannon discusses how the gold medal mindset leads to victory on the competition floor, at work, in our education and in our personal lives. With seven Olympic medals, Shannon utilizes her critical insight to share what it takes to be successful: the importance of goal setting, teamwork, maintaining a positive attitude, and committing yourself to excellence.
After the keynote, grab your chance to for a meet & greet with Shannon at the step & repeat!

5:15 p.m. – Wrap up remarks

5:30 p.m. – Closing party