Recognizing outstanding individuals in our industry, leadership, and community impact.
The Annual Excellence in Communications Awards recognize exceptional individuals and organizations across our community who have made meaningful contributions to the public relations, communications, marketing and creative professions and the communities they serve.
As the largest FPRA chapter in the state, we bring together communicators from every industry and every stage of their careers. These awards provide an opportunity to recognize the professionals whose work informs, inspires and connects audiences at the local, statewide and national levels.
Celebrates an emerging PR, Communications, Marketing, other creative professional who has shown exceptional promise and early contributions to the field. The recipient of this award is someone who has demonstrated outstanding potential in their work, making a significant impact in their organization or industry in a relatively short amount of time. We honor individuals who embody the future of public relations and are poised to become leaders in the industry.
Eligibility: Candidates must be under 35 years old and must be within the first 10 years of their PR, communications, or marketing career.
The award honors chapter members who demonstrate exceptional innovation, creativity, and leadership in the field of public relations, communications, and marketing. The award celebrates an individual who exemplifies teamwork and leadership within an agency or organization. The recipient of this award is an invaluable team member who plays a central role in driving projects forward, fostering collaboration, and achieving outstanding results.
Eligibility: Candidates must be a Chapter member in good standing.
Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding communication skills, strategic impact, and leadership in their field. The prestigious award honors a professional whose work has significantly influenced their organization, industry, or community through exceptional storytelling, messaging, and engagement.
Eligibility: Candidates must demonstrate excellence in their work and field
Awarded to a chapter member who has shown exceptional dedication and contributions to the organization and the fields of PR, Communications, and Marketing. The recipient is a dedicated member who has gone above and beyond to contribute to the success of the chapter and the PR profession.
Eligibility: Candidates must be a Chapter member in good standing.
The President’s Award is chosen each year at the discretion of the chapter president. It can be given to a person, a committee or another group of individuals as chosen by the president.
OUR HIGHEST HONOR
The Stanley Tait Professional Award for Service to the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association has been established as the highest, most prestigious award of the chapter. The award honors the spirit, professionalism and leadership of Stanley Tait, an award-winning counselor and mentor to many within the Chapter. This award, presented annually, recognizes a member of the Capital Chapter for his/her outstanding contribution to the Chapter and the field of public relations.
Eligibility
Browse the award categories above and identify the best fit for your nominee.
Complete the nomination form by July 22, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST.
Celebrate our nominees and award winners at the 2026 Excellence in Communications Awards & Leadership Celebration.
Congratulations to the FPRA Capital Chapter’s 2025 Excellence in Communications Award winners.
Impact & Service Award
United Way of the Big Bend
Rising Star Award
Apalachee Center, Inc.
PR MVP Award
SalterMitchell PR
Member of the Year
Fiore Communications
Communicator of the Year
Moore
President’s Award
Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office
2025 STANLEY TAIT PROFESSIONAL AWARD FOR SERVICE
Brown Lucas Consulting, LLC
“Carla’s name is practically synonymous with the Capital Chapter. Having served in nearly every board position and led her own consultancy, she continues to mentor, inspire, and challenge members to aim higher while balancing razor-sharp strategy with humor and warmth.”
The Joe Curley Rising Leader Award program, coordinated at the state level, identifies and honors up-and-coming FPRA members who demonstrate emerging leadership traits along with dedicated, active involvement in FPRA chapter activities, programs, functions, and events. It recognizes the dedication and engagement of members with two to five years of membership and helps build a leadership stream at the local chapter level.
2026 FPRA Capital Chapter Nominee
The Florida Bar
Andy Janecek, 2024
Lauren Helm, APR, CPRC, 2023
Carla Brown Lucas, M.S., 2022
Valencia L. Scott, 2021
Jennifer Krell Davis, J.D., 2020
Zoe Linafelt, APR, 2024
Drew Piers, APR, CPRC, 2023
Amanda Handley, APR, CPRC, 2022
Sandi Poreda, APR, 2020
Alison Faris, APR, 2018
Andy Janecek, 2024
Taylore Maxey, 2023
Danny Aller, 2022
Amanda Handley, APR, CPRC ,2021
Kelly Corder, APR, CPRC, 2020
Communications Committee (Claudia Machado, Ruthann Campbell, APR, CPRC, Leah Justice, Elizabeth Loeffelman), 2024
Alia Faraj-Johnson, 2023
Nanette Schimpf, APR, CPRC, 2022
Vanessa Vidacs, 2021
Lauren Helm, APR, CPRC, 2024
Nipa Eason, 2023
Carla Brown Lucas, M.S., 2022
Valencia L. Scott, 2021
Jennifer Krell Davis, J.D., 2020
Ruthann Campbell, APR, CPRC, 2024
Leah Justice, 2023
Nipa Eason, 2022
Chloe Barr, 2021
DIRECTOR OF AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
“The Excellence in Communications Awards give us a chance to recognize our members and shine a light on the great work happening across our region, work that often goes unnoticed outside our own organizations. If you have questions about categories, eligibility, or the submission process, I’m happy to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Submit a nomination for the 2026 Excellence in Communications Awards by July 22, 2026, 5 p.m. EST.
