The Florida Public Relations Association is the oldest public relations association in the United States.

It was founded in 1938 when Chamber of Commerce executives cut the subject out their program at a state-wide meeting in Jacksonville. John W. Dillin, publicity director of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, had made the trip to Jacksonville especially to participate in the program.

On his return to South Florida, he stopped at Silver Springs to talk with Wilton Martin. They discussed forming an organization dealing with publicity and public relations.

The owners of the attraction agreed to host those who would be interested. Invitations were extended to six others.

Two meetings were held before calling an all-Florida meeting in Tampa where 45 attended. The group voted to form the Florida Association of Publicity Directors and elected Dillin to serve as president.

Executive meetings were held throughout the year and in several locations in the state prior to the first annual meeting in St. Augustine where Dillin had moved to take over a chamber of commerce management.

The assembly drew representatives of attractions, chambers of commerce, newspaper and radio stations, advertising and display executives. It also was held simultaneously with the Florida Press Association and the Florida Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Although Dillin wanted to develop a clinic for learning to do "publicity and public relations" better, it developed into a Florida promotional program.

In the second year, it was voted to change the name to the Florida Publicity and Public Relations Association, but before the meeting was concluded it was back to FAPD. The organization grew steadily until World War II when many members enlisted and were in service until 1946.

Although it took time to refresh its activities, the association began to grow again. Finally, the name "publicity" was eliminated and adopted the "public relations" theme. Clinics were held in "learning to do the job" better, which was the objective in the first place.

University of Florida, University of Miami and Stetson University joined the learning program and written examinations were held at the conclusion of each clinic. After four years, Certificates of Attainment were issued.

Chapters were formed throughout the state and the association grew to more than 1,000 members. Some of the universities formed student chapters. Those studying public relations were invited to state conferences and chapter seminars.

Today, there are student chapters at Florida State University, University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Bethune-Cookman College, Stetson University, Florida Southern College, Florida Tech, University of West Florida, as well as a student chapter in Jacksonville.

FPRA participates in Universal Accreditation. Members can demonstrate their professional skills by sitting for the APR (Accredited in Public Relations) exam. In addition, FPRA offers an even higher level of professional certification, giving members an opportunity to earn the title of Certified Public Relations Counselor.

Accredited members may also become members of the Counselors' Network, which holds additional seminars at a senior level.

The "Golden Image" competition is conducted each year and members enter in all fields of public relations to win coveted awards, including the highest honor of the Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award.

The state's most distinguished award, named in honor of Lt. Col. John W. Dillin, is given to the person who exemplifies the founder's objective to add to the field of learning through making professional contributions to FPRA.

Another award is made to the "Member of the Year." And, each year the Association honors the "behind the scenes" involvement of an FPRA member with an award named after Doris Fleischman, wife of the late Edward L. Bernays.

The state board of directors meets four times each year and is composed of the president, president-elect, vice presidents responsible for accreditation-certification, annual conference, chapter services, communications, finance, golden image, member services, public relations, research and planning, Counselors Network, immediate past president; plus the president and president-elect of each chapter.

Members services are currently being conducted out of the state headquarters in Sarasota. The address and phone is:

40 Sarasota Center Blvd., Ste. 107
Sarasota, FL 34240
Voice (941) 365-2135
Fax (941) 906-1556