The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) and its members earned statewide recognition at the 2026 FPRA PR & Comms Summit in Orlando, taking home multiple honors during the President’s Awards, Golden Image Awards and Pinnacle Awards Gala.

The annual three-day conference celebrates excellence in public relations, communications and marketing across Florida. This year, the Southwest Florida Chapter was recognized for outstanding chapter leadership, innovation and member achievements, with awards spanning several divisions and categories.

Recognitions included:

President’s Awards

During the President’s Awards Luncheon, the Southwest Florida Chapter received recognition for its impact and engagement efforts, earning:

  • Community Outreach Award
  • Innovation Award
  • Networking Award

The Chapter’s biggest celebration came when our outstanding president, Shannon Williamson, APR, was named Chapter President of the Year among FPRA’s 15 chapters across Florida!

In addition, our Chapter’s very own Jada Bigord was also named to the 2026 Joe Curley, APR, CPRC Rising Leader Class and recognized during the Presidents’ Luncheon.

Golden Image Awards

The Golden Image Awards honor outstanding public relations programs and collateral across Florida, recognizing excellence in innovation, strategic planning and creative execution.

Southwest Florida Chapter members received 14 awards, including the highest distinction in Division B, the 2026 Grand Golden Image Award, presented to Priority Marketing.

  • Division A: Public Relations Programs
    • A-1 Community Relations: Judges’ Award + Award of Distinction — Legacy Foundation at Shell Point and Priority Marketing — Legacy Foundation Resiliency Campaign
    • A-8 Public Affairs: Award of Distinction — Priority Marketing — Bring Back South Seas
  • Division B: Collateral Tools of Public Relations
    • B-2 Brochure: 2026 Grand Golden Image Award, Judges’ Creativity Award + Judges’ Award + Golden Image Award — Legacy Foundation at Shell Point and Priority Marketing — Legacy Foundation Resiliency Campaign Case for Support
    • B-3 Magazine: Judges’ Award — Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations — London Bay Living Magazine
    • B-5 News Release or Pitch: Judges’ Award — Priority Marketing — Southwest Florida Proton Center Media Tour
  • Division C: Digital Tools of Public Relations
    • C-2 Digital Promotion: Award of Distinction — Arthrex Knee Preservation Team — Arthrex Joint Preservation Patient Campaign
    • C-4 Video – Internal: Judges’ Creativity Award + Judges’ Award — Angela Bell, Emily Ford, and Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations — Tropical Isles Tiered Services
    • C-7 Video – Institutional: Judges’ Creativity Award + Award of Distinction — Priority Marketing — Nichols Cup Legacy Gala Video Campaign

Pinnacle Awards

The Pinnacle Awards are designed to recognize individuals, agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporate teams and government agencies for outstanding and ongoing strategic work in public relations and communications. Southwest Florida Chapter members received two distinct honors:

  • Mentor of the Year: Gold Pinnacle Award — Lisa Murray, APR, CPRC
  • Agency of the Year: Silver Pinnacle Award — Priority Marketing

These awards highlight the exceptional talent, leadership and innovation demonstrated by communications professionals throughout Southwest Florida. Congratulations to all chapter members whose work was recognized at the 2026 PR & Comms Summit.

To learn more about FPRA’s annual recognition programs, visit https://www.fpra.org/recognition.