Mote wins FPRA Image Award for communications efforts
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Community Relations & Communications Department won an Image Award Thursday during the Florida Public Relations Association's 50th Anniversary and Image Awards Ceremony. Mote took home the Judges’ Award, in the PR program’s Special Events category, for its Tropical Research Laboratory demolition event on Feb. 18 at Mote’s Summerland Key facility.
The Image Awards competition provides public relations professionals an opportunity to be recognized for their exceptional efforts and programs. FPRA recognizes the best in research, strategy, implementation and execution in the public relations profession. The Special Events category honors any program developed to commemorate a special event, observance or one-time activity. These can include anniversary celebrations, open houses, dedications or parties and receptions.
The demolition event was the perfect way to celebrate and recognize Mote’s key donors who provided the support for construction of a new facility at Mote's Summerland Key campus. The new facility will expand Mote's research aimed to restore depleted coral reefs, especially those in Florida’s blue backyard.
This event also marked major successes of Oceans of Opportunity — Mote’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, which has raised $48.5 million toward its $50 million goal.
During the ceremony Mote staff, donors and other contributors swung sledgehammers at one of Mote's old residential buildings to kick off this historic demolition. Research at Mote’s Summerland Key facility focuses on the global challenges facing oceans and their vital reefs — particularly ocean acidification, climate change and coral disease.
Follow Mote’s demolition and upcoming construction progress on Summerland Key by viewing photos and live video at: https://www.truelook.com/tl/app/?u=mm1454425389
This year's Image Awards were presented Thursday, April 14 at The Francis in Sarasota.
