FPRA is the oldest public relations organization in the United States. The association was founded in 1938 by Lt. Col. John W. Dillin of the United States Airforce.
At the time, Dillin was the publicity director for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. He created the organization—originally called the Florida Association of Publicity Directors—so that public relations, communications and marketing professionals would have a forum where they could discuss the challenges they faced at work and learn how to perform their jobs better. The group's first meeting attracted more than 50 practitioners.
FPRA's membership of over 1,100 professionals, 15 professional chapters and 14 student chapters remains steadfast in its commitment. Its goal, from its inception to the present day, has been to equip public relations professionals with the tools they need to not just succeed, but to thrive and advance in their careers.
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