Timeline 1930s

The 1930s

1938 Lt. Col. John W. Dillin, publicity director of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and Shorty Davidson, Silver Springs co-owner, hosted a statewide meeting that included Dick Pope of Cypress Gardens and Frank Wright of the University of Florida News Service. More than 50 practitioners attended and voted to form the Florida Association of Publicity Directors where Dillin was elected to serve as president. A goal of 100 members was set. The initial purpose of the Florida Association of Publicity Directors was to provide a united front in the effort to promote tourism in Florida. In December of the same year, the Association went on record stating that it would work to promote Florida using more logic than the prevailing efforts that focused on the use of pretty girls to promote oranges, golf, sunshine, sea air, etc.

1939 The Association’s first meeting was held in St. Augustine and Wilton Martin became the Association’s president.

The 1930s