Florida Public Relations Association Honors 2026 Golden Image and Pinnacle Award Winners
Florida Public Relations Association Honors 2026 Golden Image and Pinnacle Award Winners
CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla. – The Florida Public Relations Association recently recognized some of the state’s top communications work and professionals during the 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala, presenting 122 awards to individuals and teams from across Florida.
The Golden Image Awards honor outstanding public relations programs and communications tools across disciplines including community relations, public affairs, marketing, social media, video and digital communications. Open to entrants worldwide, the program recognizes thoughtful execution and measurable results. Established in 1957, the awards are presented by FPRA, the world’s oldest public relations trade association dedicated to advancing the profession through ethical and standardized practices.
“Every year, the Golden Image Awards remind us just how much talent there is in Florida’s public relations community,” said Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC, president of the Florida Public Relations Association. “These awards recognize work that is thoughtful and effective, but they also recognize the people behind it."
The evening’s top honor, the Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award, went to the College of Central Florida’s Danielle Veenstra and Sarah Eshleman for the Take the Reins Quality Enhancement Plan. The integrated marketing campaign earned 93% positive brand sentiment and a 90% understandability rating while helping introduce a new direction for the college’s culture.
The Division B Grand Golden Image Award went to Legacy Foundation at Shell Point and Priority Marketing for the Legacy Foundation Resiliency Campaign Case for Support. The effort helped inspire $20 million in commitments for a new hurricane shelter and other resiliency improvements across the campus.
The Division C Grand Golden Image Award was presented to Abby Hemenway, APR, Leah Nepo and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization for Crash Not Accident: WDoR for Road Victims. The 20-post social media campaign used victim-centered storytelling to raise awareness about traffic fatalities while honoring lives lost during the 2025 World Day of Remembrance.
Other Golden Image winners reflected the wide range of work taking place across the profession. Honored projects included communications supporting hurricane resiliency, public safety, tourism, healthcare, education and local government.
“What we do matters because there are real people on the other side of every story we tell,” said Chris Graham, APR, CPRC, vice president of Golden Image. “Our work can help someone understand an issue, make an important decision or feel more connected to their community. The work honored through Golden Image shows what happens when we never lose sight of that responsibility."
Announcing the 2026 Pinnacle Awards Winners
FPRA also presented its 2026 Pinnacle Awards, recognizing professionals and teams whose work has made a notable impact on the communications profession.
“The Pinnacle Awards are a chance to recognize the people and teams whose work makes a real difference in our profession,” Graham said. “These honorees reflect the care and dedication that go into strong public relations every day, and it’s meaningful to have a program that celebrates those contributions.”
Gold Pinnacle Award recipients included:
Young Professional of the Year: Marissa Gleockler, MA, whose nonprofit communications work supported fundraising and advocacy while helping expand services for youth.
Nonprofit Team of the Year: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, whose communications and public relations team generated 11 billion impressions and $58 million in media value over the past year.
Mentor of the Year: Lisa Murray, APR, CPRC, recognized for more than a decade of service to the public relations profession and her commitment to mentoring other practitioners.
Government Team of the Year: City of Ocala, whose seven-person Public Information Office reshaped the city’s communications approach and increased public engagement.
Agency of the Year: Sachs Media, a Florida-based public affairs communications firm recognized for its work on campaigns in Florida and across the country.
Communicator of the Year: Chris M. Gent, APR, CPRC, who leads strategic communications and public affairs for Georgia-Pacific in Florida. His work includes employee communications and community relations, as well as explaining complex manufacturing operations to outside audiences.
Silver Pinnacle Awards also recognized Emily McCarthy and Courtney Pelicano for Young Professional of the Year; the UF Health Strategic Communications Team for Nonprofit Team of the Year; Lauren Debick, APR, CPRC, for Mentor of the Year; Martin County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs and the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering for Government Team of the Year; and Priority Marketing for Agency of the Year.
For a full list of the 2026 Golden Image Awards winners, visit goldenimageawards.org/2026-winners. For a full list of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards winners, visit goldenimageawards.org/2026-pinnacle-winners.