To celebrate 75 years of Seagrove Village Market Café, the first restaurant to open along Florida’s 30A highway, I worked with my colleagues and led a multi-faceted PR campaign that combined storytelling, media relations, and community engagement.

I coordinated a VIP Media Night Dinner that had nearly 30 media and influencers attending to experience a curated culinary journey through the restaurant’s historic dishes and legacy. The event generated eight earned media placements reaching over 21.3 million digital and print visitors, with an Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) of $197,556.

To expand reach beyond the local market, I partnered with top-tier foodie influencer @marquaythegoat with 7.5M combined followers to spotlight the restaurant’s special “George-normous” po’boy, a 4.5-pound sandwich created to celebrate the milestone. The partnership generated over 128.2k total views and over 16k total engagements, successfully amplifying the anniversary to a national, foodie-focused audience.

We also collaborated with the local Arts Alliance to sponsor a sculpture by a local artist for the world’s only Underwater Art Museum, serving as both a community partnership and environmental initiative. I also assisted in conceptualizing a limited-edition “locals-only” keychain campaign, a collectible that unlocked exclusive offers and bragging rights, and assisted in coordinating a community block party featuring tastings, live music, giveaways, and a po’boy eating contest.

I had the privilege of executing the VIP Media Nights for The Wharf Fish & Oyster Company, a new restaurant concept in Pensacola, Florida. Over 75 VIPs and media attendees joined the events, experiencing curated tastings and an immersive introduction to the brand.

The campaign included partnerships with two local influencers, @pensacolamunchies (29.1k followers) and @the850foodie (57.5k), who created engaging content across Instagram, reaching a combined 409.5k views and over 16.4k combined engagements, driving measurable awareness and engagement with audiences outside the immediate market.

Media outreach resulted in 41 press hits, garnering a combined print and digital reach of over 838.3M, showcasing strong coverage and interest from local and regional press. Collaborating with my True Story PR colleagues and the Specialty Restaurants team, we combined strategic planning, influencer marketing, and on-site execution to deliver a seamless, high-impact launch for the restaurant.

This campaign demonstrates how experiential PR, media relations, and influencer partnerships can generate measurable results while positioning a new brand as a community staple.

When Gather & Hem partnered with True Story PR, we collaborated to create a unique, experiential activation that would generate buzz and drive engagement. I pitched the concept of a Martini Tree, a statement piece designed to captivate guests, media, and influencers, and the Gather & Hem operations team brought it to life flawlessly.

Since its launch, the Martini Tree has evolved into a rotating seasonal staple, including a holiday edition, a Dry January mocktail tree, and a Valentine’s-themed version. Guests, media, and influencers have consistently engaged with the installation, sharing content that extends the campaign’s reach and highlights the creativity and experiential impact of the concept.

This activation exemplifies how strategic experiential PR combined with creative ideas and flawless execution can generate memorable brand moments, media coverage, and social engagement while enhancing the guest experience.

Supported the Discover The Palm Beaches team and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County team in producing the “Palm Beaches in Bloom” media event in New York City, designed to showcase the destination’s arts, culture, and scenic coastline. The installation featured life-size lifeguard stands adorned with hundreds of tropical botanicals, created in collaboration with Mounts Botanical Garden and floral artist Lisa Waud, and was displayed at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards for five days in December 2022 over the holiday season.

During a designated VIP media dinner, the activation hosted 20 media and influencers, including Conde Nast Traveler, Town & Country, Thrillist, Cosmopolitan, and Passport Magazine, and generated over 800k social impressions. Guests could experience the warm and sunny vibes of The Palm Beaches without leaving NYC, take photos for social engagement, and enter to win round-trip airfare to Palm Beach International Airport and tickets to Mounts Botanical Garden.

To extend awareness and deepen engagement, I supported the internal and external PR teams by coordinating a cocktail preview event, providing media and influencers with context on the installation, and highlighting the upcoming arts and culture season in The Palm Beaches.

This campaign was recognized for excellence with a 2023 Flagler Award, placing top in the category “The Henry” for Creativity in Public Relations.

Summer never tasted so good! I proposed and executed Gather & Hem’s inaugural summer cocktail class series, featuring a different spirit each month, tastings, and custom cocktails. From June through September, nearly every class sold out, with over 120 RSVPs and over 220 tickets requested, showcasing strong audience interest and engagement.

The campaign also featured a partnership with @juju_pants (22.2k followers), who helped amplify awareness by creating content on Instagram. Their efforts drove over 2.3k views and over 222 engagements, connecting the campaign to a highly engaged audience beyond the immediate local market.

Press coverage included ten articles, reaching over 32.6M unique visitors monthly, showcasing the campaign’s visibility and impact.

The final class of the series wrapped up beautifully in collaboration with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, providing the perfect send-off to a summer of spirits.

This activation combined experiential PR, media engagement, and community partnerships to elevate brand awareness, drive attendance, and create shareable moments that reinforced Gather & Hem’s position as a venue for cocktail lovers.

Assisted in executing the “Golden Age of Travel” media pop-up activation for Discover The Palm Beaches in Chicago, a key feeder market of the destination. The life-sized vintage jet installation at Union Station recreated the glamour of the Golden Age of Travel, promoting Palm Beach International Airport’s nonstop flights from Chicago O’Hare and positioning media, influencers, and travelers to find out why The Palm Beaches was America’s First Resort Destination.

The activation hosted 19 media and five influencers, providing immersive experiences, photo opportunities, and interactive giveaways, including a chance to win round-trip airfare to The Palm Beaches. The campaign combined experiential PR, influencer engagement, and media outreach, generating buzz among commuters, meeting planners, travel industry professionals, and press.

To mark Rusty Pelican Tampa’s grand re-opening, I helped the internal team coordinate the VIP Media Dinner for the grand re-opening in July 2025. The restaurant and venue welcomed over 20 media attendees to experience the return of this waterfront dining staple following extensive hurricane renovations.

Guests enjoyed curated tastings, handcrafted cocktails, and a look at the restaurant’s upscale coastal offerings, showcasing why Rusty Pelican remains a premier destination for romantic dinners, events, and weddings. Collaborating closely with the Rusty Pelican team and Specialty Restaurant Corporation team, we ensured seamless execution, elevated experience, and opportunities for media coverage highlighting both the culinary offerings and the revitalized space.

The night generated ten press hits reaching over 265 million impressions, resulting in enhanced local and regional coverage.

To showcase The Palm Beaches’ deep ties to the Gilded Age in honor of the new season of the HBO show, The Gilded Age, I assisted in coordinating an immersive FAM in partnership with Visit Rhode Island, designed for four top-tier national media attendees, including People Magazine and Cosmopolitan.

The journey began in Rhode Island, where attendees toured historic Newport mansions, before traveling to The Palm Beaches to explore iconic locations such as the Flagler Museum, The Breakers Palm Beach, Worth Avenue, The Colony Palm Beach, and The Boca Raton. The itinerary highlighted both architectural splendor and cultural heritage, paired with curated culinary experiences from Chef Clay Conley and guided storytelling about Henry Flagler’s creation of America’s First Resort Destination.

This FAM successfully blended historic immersion with modern luxury, offering media a compelling narrative and shareable content while strengthening relationships with key press. Strategic partnerships with Flagler Museum, The Breakers, Worth Avenue Association, Inc., The Colony Palm Beach, The Boca Raton, Chef Clay Conley, and Rick Rose ensured an elevated and seamless experience.

Worked with the on-site operations team at Hilton Richmond Downtown to coordinate a Meetings & Event FAM, hosting 11 attendees and showcasing the hotel’s 10,000+ sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. Set in the historic former Miller & Rhoads department store, the program highlighted the property’s unique blend of business functionality and elevated hospitality.

Attendees stayed at the hotel to experience the accommodations firsthand, including standout features like the Gather & Hem martini tree, which demonstrated the property’s signature flair and attention to detail. Collaborating closely with Hilton’s team, Visit Richmond, and True Story PR, the FAM successfully positioned the property as a premier destination for corporate events, business travelers, and memorable meetings.

This Meetings & Events FAM resulted in hosting the AFAR’s marketing and sales team of 20+ guests at the hotel for their fall retreat in 2025.

Supported the launch of Watersound Village Market Café, a new dining concept in South Walton County, Florida, through a fully integrated campaign that included a grand opening event, media night, a friends-and-family charity event, and influencer activations.

After reviewing the menu, we discovered that each dish had a personal story from the owners’ 40+ years of marriage and global travels. To bring these stories to life, we pitched a “Storyteller Dinner” for a very intimate, curated evening, hosting 13 media attendees and 12 influencers. During the four-course experience, the owners shared the history and inspiration behind each dish, creating an engaging atmosphere where guests connected over both the food and the stories.

The campaign resulted in over seven press hits reaching 72.5k impressions, while influencer coverage reached over 260.k users, spotlighting the restaurant’s unique culinary story to a local audience while maintaining a highly personal experience for attendees.

Executed a Wedding FAM at Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, engaging 33 media and local wedding professionals over a two-day experience. The program showcased the property’s premier wedding offerings through immersive tours, vendor activations, and curated experiences tailored for attendees.

The FAM achieved significant media and professional reach, connecting with 93 wedding professionals, 62 national media, and 167 local media, resulting in over 317 individuals touched through in-person experiences and follow-up press kits. Exclusive coverage from Southern Bride Magazine generated over 10.4k digital impressions and reached a print audience of 30k.

This campaign successfully elevated the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center’s wedding profile, strengthened relationships with key wedding professionals and media, and positioned the property as a premier wedding destination in the region.

As part of the Discover The Palm Beaches region, I supported their internal PR team with a FAM that took place during the 2023 Florida Huddle, the Official Travel Trade Show for the State of Florida, held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Alongside their team, we coordinated and hosted 19 international media, providing curated experiences and opportunities to meet with regional partners. Highlights of the FAM included tours of iconic hotels in the destination like The Breakers Palm Beach and The Colony Hotel, as well as Florida Huddle events like the State of the Tourism Industry Event and access to the Florida Huddle & Encounter Tradeshows, giving attendees a comprehensive view of The Palm Beaches’ offerings.

Collaborating closely with Visit Florida and regional partners, this group FAM showcased the Sunshine State’s top destinations, strengthened industry relationships, and generated meaningful media exposure.