The stories behind the Golden Image Awards

I spent a few days in August doing something I do not always make enough time for: stepping away from the work, learning from other communications professionals and celebrating the work of our local PR community.

The Florida Public Relations Association’s Annual Summit and Golden Image Gala also gave me a chance to look back at some of the work I have had the opportunity to do this past year through Iris Communications.

I was honored to be part of award-winning projects for two organizations: the Rotary Club of Flagler County and AdventHealth East Florida Division.

For Rotary, I helped lead communications around the club’s 20th anniversary of Fantasy Lights. It was a milestone year for an event that has become a holiday tradition in our community, and we wanted the communications to reflect that.

During the Fantasy Lights season, Rotary’s social media following grew by 67%.

That number is exciting. I enjoyed telling the many stories surrounding the event: the volunteers, the community support, the families who come back year after year and the work Rotary is doing.

That work received both a Judge’s Award and an Award of Distinction.

My healthcare communications work brought a very different kind of storytelling during Heart Health Month.

One of the stories I had the opportunity to tell was about Jamel Guerrero, a Matanzas High School student-athlete who attended free sports physicals provided by AdventHealth. The screening identified an issue that required immediate care.

Jamel’s story was a powerful reminder that sometimes a routine appointment can make a much bigger difference than anyone expects.

That Heart Health Month communications work received an Award of Distinction.

I have spent much of my career telling stories, first as a journalist and now as a communications professional. I still approach the work with that same reporter’s mindset: What is the story? Why does it matter? And how can we tell it in a way that people will actually remember?

That is what I enjoy most.

The awards were a great way to celebrate these projects, but I am most grateful to the Rotary Club of Flagler County and AdventHealth East Florida Division for trusting me with their stories.

And, of course, it was fun to celebrate with my FPRA Volusia/Flagler Chapter colleagues. I am proud of the work happening across our local PR community and grateful to be part of it.