How do you engage an entire community on crucial issues? Join ECPRO on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for a timely Lunch & Learn featuring Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux and Communications Manager Shiana St. Romain at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Discover how his office leverages strategic PR, targeted outreach, and transparent communication to educate voters, build public trust, and drive civic action—both during election season and year-round. Gain actionable strategies for communicating complex ideas and connecting with diverse audiences. Advance tickets are available through October 7!

Ready to talk trash? Join ECPRO on September 8, 2026, for an exclusive Lunch & Learn featuring Doug Rainer, Senior Account Executive for the Public Sector at WM (Waste Management). Discover the strategy, messaging, and community impact behind WM's latest campaign to drive recycling across Okaloosa County. Whether you're in PR, marketing, communications, or looking to sharpen your professional skills, come gain actionable insights and network with Emerald Coast pros. Advance tickets are available through September 2!

Every organization has a story—but is anyone listening? Join ECPRO on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for a Lunch & Learn featuring award-winning strategist Bobby Parker. Discover how to leverage strategic storytelling, backed by neuroscience and real-world case studies, to build trust and inspire action. Whether you're in PR, marketing, or fundraising, you'll walk away with practical tools to elevate your brand. Register by August 5 to save your seat!

Join the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) on July 14, 2026, for an insightful Lunch and Learn featuring guest speaker Carmen Foster. As the publisher of Destin City Lifestyle and co-founder of Ladies Leadership Luncheon, Carmen brings extensive experience in building brand visibility and meaningful community connections. Her presentation, Getting Back to Basics: Marketing, Visibility, and Measuring Success, will provide practical strategies to strengthen your marketing efforts, increase visibility, and measure results that matter.

Join ECPRO on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce for a Lunch and Learn featuring Jen Higgins, CERP, Founder/CEO of Thrive People Services. Jen will present How to Communicate with Difficult People — sharing practical strategies for navigating tough conversations and communicating with confidence. With 25+ years in HR, leadership coaching, and organizational development, she brings real-world insight every communications professional can apply. Walk-ins welcome; payment collected at the door.

Ready to turn "likes" into lasting impact? Join the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) for our May Lunch & Learn as we dive into the world of influencer marketing. Featuring industry experts Jae Baldizzi (Reli Marketing) and Justice Jones (850 Social Babes), this session provides a deep dive into "How PR Pros Can Leverage Influencer Relationships."

From identifying the perfect brand ambassadors to building authentic partnerships that drive measurable results, you’ll gain the practical tools needed to expand your reach in a digital-first world.

Join ECPRO on April 14, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce for a Lunch & Learn on the value of the APR credential. Susan Poole, APR, of The Westervelt Company, will share her journey through the Accreditation process and how it strengthened her strategic communication skills and leadership in public relations.

Join us for the first quarterly professional development webinar of the year on March 18! Bill Moak, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chair and Associate Professor of Communication at Belhaven University, will present on practical ways PR pros can sharpen core skills, master AI and analytics, and intentionally elevate their influence and career in 2026.

Join ECPRO on March 10, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce for a Lunch & Learn featuring a panel of local journalists and media leaders. Gain insider insights on pitching effectively, building media relationships, and securing coverage in today’s digital and print landscape.

Join Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) for a Lunch & Learn on February 10, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Featuring Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism’s Nogah Winfield and Stacey Young, this session explores how aligning PR and digital marketing can maximize reach, engagement, and impact.

Join Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) on January 13, 2026, for a dynamic Lunch & Learn featuring Melissa Watson, Executive Director of Marketing and Revenue Management for Sandestin Investments. Melissa will walk us through the award-winning 2025 PR campaign—from the early concept development to planning a high-impact familiarization event, gaining vendor buy-in, and executing a full-force PR strategy that ultimately earned a prestigious Visit Florida Flagler Award. This case study offers an inside look at how thoughtful planning, collaboration, and strategic storytelling can come full circle to deliver measurable, award-worthy results.

Ring in the holiday season with ECPRO on December 9 at 11:30 a.m. for A Very Merry Quizmas featuring guest host Johnny C. of Ace Media! Expect engaging conversation, yuletide delights, and spirited trivia that blends the best of PR, communications, and Christmas cheer.

Join the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization for our November Lunch and Learn, “Social Media, Free Speech, and the Workplace.” Can you be fired for talking politics at work—or for what you post on social media after hours? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Dr. Randy Bobbitt, retired communications professor and author of Free Speech in the American Workplace: From the Dawn of Workers’ Rights to the Age of Social Media, will explore the often-blurred line between free expression and employer rights, and what it means for today’s communicators navigating an era of social media and charged political discourse. Don’t miss this timely discussion that blends law, ethics, and practical insight for PR professionals.

Join the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization on Tuesday, October 14, at 11:30 a.m. for Working Smarter, Not Harder: AI for PR Pros at the Greater Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Discover how AI is reshaping PR with time-saving tools, creative content strategies, and practical tips to elevate your communications.

Don’t miss ECPRO’s monthly Lunch and Learn, Pitch Perfect: Mastering Media Outreach for PR Success, where you’ll gain valuable insights into the art of pitching stories that get noticed. This session is perfect for public relations professionals looking to strengthen their relationships with journalists and increase their media coverage.

Join ECPRO for Lights, Camera, Action: Visual Storytelling for PR Pros for our August 12, 2025, Lunch and Learn meeting designed to sharpen your storytelling skills and elevate your communications strategy. In today’s fast-paced media landscape, compelling visuals are key to capturing attention and making messages stick.

Join the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) for “Press Pass to Public Information Officer,” a compelling Lunch and Learn session that explores the evolving world of communication through the eyes of those who have lived it from both sides.

Our guest speakers, Nick Tomecek and Devon Ravine, both former NWF Daily News journalists turned Public Information Officers, will share insights from their journeys, covering breaking news in the newsroom to now crafting strategic messaging for local government.

Instagram Reels allows businesses and organizations to reach a wider audience through engaging, short-form video content. Brands can use Reels to enhance visibility, increase follower growth, and foster a stronger connection with their audience. Our guest speaker is Cali Hlavac, Digital Marketing Specialist and Entrepreneur, Sassy Tangerine Creative and To Do in Destin.

With younger professionals bringing fresh digital strategies and seasoned team members offering deep industry insights, a deliberate approach to communication ensures that knowledge flows seamlessly between them. Our guest speakers for this event are Shantelle Dedicke, President and Chief Creative Officer, and Jacie Chandler, Digital Coordinator, of Frances Roy Agency.

ECPRO Presents a Panel Discussion on “Local News in Okaloosa County” Featuring Local Reporters

Local news serves as the backbone of communities worldwide, providing essential information that impacts daily lives. The significance of local journalism cannot be overstated, as it fosters community engagement, holds local authorities accountable, and helps maintain an informed citizenry. Please join ECPRO for a Lunch and Learn on April 8, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

ECPRO Presents “Amplify Your Voice, Share Your Story” featuring Dr. Monica Sanford, DNP, host of The Monica Sanford Show on March 11, 2025.

Her team’s Every School Day Counts campaign was awarded Best of Show at the 2024 Lantern Awards. Now hear from Jean Cook, APR, from the Mississippi Department of Education on this award-winning campaign. Join us for the Q1 SPRF Professional Development Webinar on February 19 at 2:00 p.m. CST.

ECPRO Presents "Turning Words Into Action” Featuring Samantha Sanabria, Conversion Copywriter and Owner of Period and Pen, February 11, 2025.

Join ECPRO members and guests for our annual holiday party at Longhorn Steakhouse in Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday, December 10, at 6:00 pm.

Join ECPRO for "Handcrafting Your Book" by author and speaker, the legendary Bill Matthews, on November 12 at 11:30 am at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Join ECPRO’s Lunch & Learn featuring guest speakers, Laura Hussey and Will Estell, in “Married to Media” on October 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greater Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce!

Register for our third Leadership Lab Q&A panel on Tuesday, September 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Our panel participants, Faith Ellisor, Kelly Jasen, Neko Stubblefield, and Chanda Ryan, will provide professional insights and answer questions covering the areas of public relations, marketing, and business leadership.

Join ECPRO guests and members on Tuesday, August 13 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm for Eddie Mansfield’s presentation on “Messages that Matter” at the Greater Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.