Annual Media Summit
About the Event
Our biggest event of the year is Media Summit, a half-day mini-conference with keynotes, messages from State Leadership, networking, and our media fireside chats with prominent local media personalities, journalists, and producers. We invite members from around the state and students interested in Comms careers to join us.
See below for information on this year's event
THE 2025 EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!
Speakers
Opening Remarks
Professional Development
Opening Remarks
Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC
FPRA State President-Elect
In addition to serving as president-elect on the state board of FPRA, Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC is a senior instructor and the advertising and public relations degree program coordinator at the University of Central Florida and a principal in Well Said Public Relations LLC with more than 20 years of experience in the field.
As a faculty member of the Nicholson School, Lindsay works with aspiring PR professionals, teaching a variety of PR courses, overseeing all Ad/PR internships, and serving as faculty adviser of the student chapter of FPRA. In her work with Well Said Public Relations, she’s able to work with a diverse range of clients across the US to provide communication and leadership training and public relations counseling with a focus on the nonprofit community.
Keynote
Professional Development
Opening Remarks
Alayna Curry, APR
Space Florida
"Rebranding Space: How Space Florida is Shaping a New Narrative for a Changing Industry"
Alayna Curry, APR is the Director of Public Relations at Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority. In this role, she oversees external communications and collaborates with commercial, government and military partners to solidify Florida’s position as the world’s premier space hub. With over 15 years of experience in public relations, Alayna has held pivotal roles in major industries across Florida, including Orlando Health and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Outside of her full-time career, Alayna is also a certified group fitness instructor specializing in women’s fitness. Alayna and her husband Brenton reside in Orlando and have two boys – Clayton (9) and Henry (5).
Professional Development
Professional Development
Professional Development
Joel Staley
JCS Communications
"Preventing a Crisis Before it Happens"
As a bilingual public relations professional with more than 25 years of experience, Joel Staley is an expert in media training, crisis communications, strategy, and messaging development. He’s worked as SVP of brand & external communications for Seacoast Bank, as a PR director for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and as an account leader for global public relations firms like Edelman, Burson and Hill & Knowlton. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and is a 2016 PRSA Florida Radiance Award winner for crisis communications, a 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Award winner for Top Marketing & Boating Safety Outreach Campaign and a 2021 Marine Marketers of America Neptune Award winner for Public Relations: “Boating Safety Outreach Campaign.”
Fireside Chat Media Pannel
Mara Bellaby, Executive Editor Florida Today
Mara Bellaby is executive editor of FLORIDA TODAY. She’s been with FLORIDA TODAY since 2007 in a variety of roles, including assistant metro editor, space editor and news director before becoming the top editor in early 2019. FLORIDA TODAY is a digital-first newsroom that has been recognized for its public service journalism and digital
Mara Bellaby is executive editor of FLORIDA TODAY. She’s been with FLORIDA TODAY since 2007 in a variety of roles, including assistant metro editor, space editor and news director before becoming the top editor in early 2019. FLORIDA TODAY is a digital-first newsroom that has been recognized for its public service journalism and digital storytelling. Mara leads a team of four editors and 18 reporters, photographers and multimedia specialists who reach 1.2 million people every month. Prior to FLORIDA TODAY, Mara worked as a journalist with Associated Press in London, Moscow and Kyiv, Ukraine. She covered uprisings, terrorist attacks, international politics and policy. She lives on Merritt Island with her family.
Alexa Lorenzo, News & Traffic Anchor Eyewitness News This Morning WFTV 9
Alexa Lorenzo is a bilingual journalist deeply committed to telling the stories that matter most to Central Florida. For the past five years, she has served as the news and traffic anchor for Eyewitness News This Morning on WFTV – Channel 9, covering everything from hurricanes and protests to crime reports and community stories.
Alexa
Alexa Lorenzo is a bilingual journalist deeply committed to telling the stories that matter most to Central Florida. For the past five years, she has served as the news and traffic anchor for Eyewitness News This Morning on WFTV – Channel 9, covering everything from hurricanes and protests to crime reports and community stories.
Alexa has earned two Emmy Awards—one for her breaking news coverage of a deadly smog-related crash, and another for a compelling feature on diversity in ballet, highlighting the voices often overlooked in the art world.
Each year, Alexa brings live, dynamic coverage of the Florida Puerto Rican Parade in Downtown Orlando, connecting with thousands of viewers across the region and celebrating the vibrant culture of the Puerto Rican community.
A proud daughter of Cuban immigrants, Alexa is originally from Miami, Florida. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Florida, where she honed her passion for storytelling.
Jason Olson, Producer, WESH 2
Greg Pallone, Field Anchor & Reporter, Spectrum 13
Jason is no stranger to Central Florida, including Brevard County. Born in Rockledge and raised in Merritt Island, the Space Coast has a special place in his heart.
For most of the past 24 years — Jason has served the Central Florida community in various roles at six television stations, beginning as an intern at WOFL FOX 35 in Orlando.
Jason is no stranger to Central Florida, including Brevard County. Born in Rockledge and raised in Merritt Island, the Space Coast has a special place in his heart.
For most of the past 24 years — Jason has served the Central Florida community in various roles at six television stations, beginning as an intern at WOFL FOX 35 in Orlando. As he pursued his degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Central Florida, Jason moved on to WFTV as an Associate Producer. Upon graduating, Jason had the unique opportunity to remain in a Top 20 market as a Producer/Senior Producer at Spectrum News 13 (formerly Central Florida News 13).
After a couple of years, Jason moved to Tampa and WFTS-TV, where he quickly rose through the ranks as a Morning Producer and 11pm Producer, eventually becoming Nightside Executive Producer. As he and his wife started their family — they decided to return to Orlando to be closer to family. Jason joined the team at WKMG News 6 as the 11pm Producer. But again, he quickly rose through the ranks, moving to Dayside Executive Producer, Nightside Executive Producer, Assignment Manager, and Assistant News Director.
In early 2024, Jason made a brief career change -- joining Aerodyne Industries at Kennedy Space Center — supporting various space endeavors, including the Artemis program and the International Space Station.
In July 2024 — Jason returned to journalism and joined the team at WESH-TV, where he currently serves as 4pm Producer.
Over that time, Jason and his news teams have been honored with local, state, and national awards — including the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, Station of the Year by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists, and the Suncoast Emmy Award for Best Evening Newscast following the arrest of Markeith Loyd, who would be convicted for the murder of Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.
Jason is proud to serve the community that raised him from the beginning. He and his wife Lindsey have been married for 21 years and have three children.
Greg Pallone, Field Anchor & Reporter, Spectrum 13
Moderator: Russel Bruhn, Sr. Communications Manager, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Greg Pallone, Field Anchor & Reporter, Spectrum 13
An award-winning journalist with 25 years of experience, Greg Pallone is a field anchor and Brevard County news reporter on Florida's Space Coast for Spectrum News 13.
"Local news is about meeting people and telling their stories," Greg says. "It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the community on a daily basis."
Greg also covers spa
An award-winning journalist with 25 years of experience, Greg Pallone is a field anchor and Brevard County news reporter on Florida's Space Coast for Spectrum News 13.
"Local news is about meeting people and telling their stories," Greg says. "It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the community on a daily basis."
Greg also covers space-related stories from NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, including rocket launches, landings and the future of human space flight.
Before joining Spectrum News 13, Greg was main anchor and managing editor at the ABC and Fox television stations in Savannah, Georgia. His career has taken him across the Southeast, working as an anchor and reporter in Savannah and Albany, Georgia, plus reporting in Huntsville, Alabama and Charlotte, North Carolina, before returning to the Peach State as a reporter for CBS 46 in Atlanta.
Greg majored in communications and broadcast production at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.
Emmy-nominated for his work, Greg has won awards from The Associated Press for breaking news, weather reporting and election coverage. In 2016, the National Space Club of Florida honored him with the Harry Kolcum Memorial News and Communications award. The Society of Professional Journalists awarded him for broadcasting excellence and a Green Eyeshade Award for feature reporting.
When he is not exploring Florida or on the golf course, Greg enjoys supporting local nonprofit and charitable organizations such as the Central Brevard Humane Society, SPCA of Brevard, Children's Home Society, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, South Brevard Sharing Center, Harmony Farms, United Way of Brevard, Brevard Zoo, the Women's Center in Brevard, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brevard, the Non-Profit Task Force and the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce.
He has also been honored by the Sharing Center with its "Messenger Angel" award; Eckerd Youth made him one of its "Brevard Walk of Fame" members, and the American Red Cross Space Coast Chapter made him one of its "Stars on the Space Coast."
Greg also proudly supports local law enforcement by emceeing annual award ceremonies for Melbourne Police, Palm Bay Police, West Melbourne Police, Brevard County Sheriff's Office and the annual County Police Chief's Awards Banquet, which recognizes outstanding officers across the Space Coast. Greg also speaks to the local police academy during public information seminars, helping to guide officers when dealing and communicating with members of the media.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Greg is a die-hard Atlanta fan, rooting for the Braves, Falcons and Hawks. He checked off a bucket list item in 2017 when he threw out the first pitch at a Braves spring training Game at Disney World. Greg lives in West Melbourne with his wife, Katie, and three guard-dog Chihuahuas, Pickle, Olive and Pepper.
Moderator: Russel Bruhn, Sr. Communications Manager, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Moderator: Russel Bruhn, Sr. Communications Manager, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Moderator: Russel Bruhn, Sr. Communications Manager, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Russell Bruhn is Senior Communications Manager at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. He leads external communication and public relations efforts for the unique space attraction, which is managed by Delaware North Companies. Russell previously was head of communications for Brevard Public Schools. His work has focused on media relatio
Russell Bruhn is Senior Communications Manager at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. He leads external communication and public relations efforts for the unique space attraction, which is managed by Delaware North Companies. Russell previously was head of communications for Brevard Public Schools. His work has focused on media relations, crisis communications, corporate relations, and digital media. Trained as a broadcast journalist in college, Russell has held several newsroom leadership positions in TV stations across the country.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:
Launch Credit Union
was chartered in April of 1963 and since then, has provided quality financial products and exceptional service to their members. Launch Credit Union offers many online and electronic services so that you can access your money anywhere, any time. But for those who prefer face-to-face service, our doors are always open. Together we can find the right account, services, and loans to help you Go Beyond.
Mission Professional Development Sponsor
Tucker/Hall
is a national public relations and communications consulting firm. Through the PROI network, Tucker/Hall is connected to more than 1,000 consultants in 51 cities around the world. They specialize in strategic communications, crisis management and public affairs.
Gold Sponsor
Georgia-Pacific
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers and building products. Their familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs approximately 30,000 people directly and creates more than 89,000 jobs indirectly.
Bronze Sponsor
142Productions
is a corporate video production company based on the Space Coast of Florida with over a collective of 30+ years of experience.
Their work has taken us all around the country so they don’t mind traveling for their clients.
Bronze Sponsor
Marketing Services For All
Rooted in inclusivity and collaboration, MSFA is a bold, trendsetting agency specializing in branding, marketing strategies, graphic design, messaging, and videography to help businesses stand out.
In-Kind Venue Sponsor
City of Cocoa
was founded in 1859 and is centrally located in Brevard County with a rich and diverse history. Mission: To enrich the quality of life for our unique and diverse community by delivering Professional, Responsive, Innovative, Dedicated and Exceptional public services!
Catering Sponsor
Catered Dish
combines the importance of family, tradition and good, honest food under Chef Brandon Milam
Photo Sponsor
open-air photobooth
makes it easy to add a fun, interactive photo experience to every event. Their open-air photo booth is always a big win at events like fundraisers, galas, donor appreciation events, holiday parties, and more.