Public Relations Professionals of Long Island 2013 Awards Gala Honorees Announced

Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) is proud to announce its honorees for the 23rd Annual Awards Gala to be held on May 14, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. at The Chateau Caterers, 440 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY. PRPLI is the premier organization for public relations, marketing, and communications practitioners. Recognized as one of the most prestigious award programs on Long Island, End Quote

Nassau-Suffolk, NY (1888PressRelease) March 27, 2013 - 2013 PRPLI Gala Honorees

Robert Zimmerman will receive the Jack Rettaliata Lifetime Achievement Award. From his time as a congressional aide 36 years ago and as founding partner of the Long Island public relations and marketing firm, Zimmerman/Edelson. Inc., 24 years ago, Robert Zimmerman has been an innovative public relations leader. His counsel is sought by the heads of national corporations, law and accounting firms, real estate developers, multi-national energy companies, senior White House advisors, governors, elected officials at the local, state and federal levels, Long Island school districts and municipal leaders, and the media. Robert has served on two New York State commissions designed to provide greater public access to state government. He also was appointed to the Presidential Commission on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Robert is often seen on CNN, FOX and other network news programs offering insights and commentaries. An advocate of "quality interactions" between public relations specialists and media representatives, he mentors his firm's account representatives to develop connections beyond pitching to gain a better perspective of the needs of reporters and news organizations. Robert, who lives in Greak Neck and Southampton, has earned the respect of reporters, editors, publishers and news hosts; he is a public relations professional of the highest caliber.

Kalli Dionysiou will be honored with the Rising Star Award. A graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and a resident of Valley Stream, Kalli launched her PR career with several internships, including one at the Rockville Centre-based Harrison Leifer DiMarco (HLD), where she has worked for two years as a public relations account executive. In addition to using traditional public relations skills, Kalli is on top of social media trends. In fact, more senior staff takes direction on social media strategy from Kalli. With the combination of these practices, she helps clients reach their target markets in the most effective ways. Kalli was instrumental in meeting clients' needs in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Due to the ramifications of the storm, few HLD employees had the ability to report to work for an extended period of time. Faced with sporadic phone, Internet and email service, Kalli was effective in helping the firm's clients, including Island Harvest, who relied on public relations services post-Sandy.

Eric Alexander, the executive director of Vision Long Island, a regional Smart Growth planning organization, will receive the Long Island Achievement Award. The messages he conveys on behalf of the Rockville Centre-based not-for-profit reach from Great Neck to Montauk to Albany and Washington. Eric has been a proponent of Smart Growth planning and mixed use development through advocacy efforts on federal, state and county levels while working with Long Island municipalities to develop and implement smart growth policies, regulations, and projects. His many projects include working on regional planning surrounding the Nassau HUB, Long Island 2035, Brookhaven 2030 and the Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Eric's dedication to rebuilding communities hard hit by Superstorm Sandy exemplifies his passion for our region and its people. Among many commendations, he has been named one of Long Island's 100 most influential leaders by Long Island Business News (LIBN) for three consecutive years. This past April, LIBN recognized Eric with the "Pay It Forward Leadership Award" at its Real Estate & Development Awards Dinner. Eric is a resident of Northport.

Jeff Morosoff will receive the PRPLI Mentor Award. A professional communicator for more than three decades, Jeff who lives in Greak Neck was nominated for this award by both a former PPRLI president, who cites him as her first mentor in the field, and a former student who is now forging a career in public relations. Jeff is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Media Studies' Public Relations Division, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and faculty advisor to the Hofstra chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). A former president of PRPLI, he continues to be an important voice on the organization's board of directors. In the words of his former student, Jeff "is a true mentor. His attention to detail and keen eye for talent has helped him propel his students forward into successful PR careers. During his tenure at Hofstra University, he has advised many of his students to exciting internship programs and entry level positions in the communications field, leading many to their dream jobs after graduation."

Kristine Wolf, the publisher of the New York Real Estate Journal, will be honored with the Outstanding Media Member Award. New York Real Estate Journal is a bi-weekly commercial real estate trade publication serving the entire state of New York, with monthly supplements by geographic locations including Long Island, New York City, Upstate New York and industries including property management, ownership and development, retail, construction, design and environmental. She is well-regarded by Long Island public relations professionals in these fields and those that serve real estate - law, accounting, banking, architecture and others. The criteria for the Outstanding Media Member Award, "a journalist who pays particular attention to Long Island issues and topics and is a friend to Long Island's public relations industry," fit Kristine like a glove. Her creativity, flexibility, winning personality and business insights have enabled members of the PR profession to optimize coverage in her publication through professional profiles, feature articles and encouragement to submit news about those we represent. As one former colleague puts it, Kristine is "a proven performer, a natural leader and a great person." She lives and works in Norwell, MA.

Long Island Arts Alliance's (LIAA) Arts Alive LI will be awarded PR Campaign of the Year. Theresa Statz-Smith from Bayville will accept the award for her leading role. In 2012, LIAA based in Woodbury launched Arts Alive LI, the region's first collaborative initiative to promote and market Long Island as a cultural tourism destination. Arts Alive LI is both an annual October festival and an on-going calendar and community resource featuring the region's arts, culture and arts education communities. A three-year commitment from lead funder Bethpage Federal Credit Union will allow the project to achieve its main goals of growing new audiences, increasing cultural tourism and encouraging economic development through the arts. Additional supporters include Long Island Community Foundation and the Rauch Foundation. Arts Alive LI also attracted important partnerships in transportation and media. The Long Island Railroad displayed 300 Arts Alive LI posters from Penn Station to the East End. Public television channels Thirteen and WLIW21 produced and aired Patti LuPone (a native Long Islander) promos through September and October. Long-term plans include an economic study focused on the nonprofit arts organizations that will build off the baseline study done by LIA Economist Dr. Pearl Kamer.

Co-chairs of the Gala this year are Mindy F. Wolfle, founder of Neptune Marketing LLC and director of marketing at Armao, Costa & Ricciardi, CPAs, P.C. and Kimberly Alarcon, sales/marketing coordinator at Alcott HR.

For more information, to make a reservation, place a journal ad, or to become a sponsor, please email info ( @ ) prpli dot org or visit prpli dot org dot Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $1,500 dot Half page journal ads are $75 and full page journal ads are $100 dot Tickets cost $75 for PRPLI members and $100 for guests dot

About PRPLI: Public Relations Professionals of Long Island (PRPLI) is a professional trade association that provides members with the opportunity to network, learn and share new experiences, and advance in their careers. Founded in 1990, PRPLI is the premier organization for individuals working in public relations, publicity, media relations, marketing, corporate communications, advertising, event planning, government relations and community affairs. PRPLI members include PR practitioners from the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, as well as independent communicators.

###

space

Other Related Press Releases