Jim Doughton, of the Gainesville Sun, passed the chairman's gavel of the Florida Press Association Board of Directors, to Sandi Kemp, publisher of the Navarre Press, during the annual FPA and FSNE Convention in Sarasota Friday. Kemp then became chairman of the FPA Board of Directors.

The convention, held at the Ritz-Carlton, treated journalists and editors state-wide to industry seminars, some of which explored the current market trends and how to forge partnerships with freelancers and academic institutions.

During Friday's luncheon, the FPA announced the winners of its 2009 Better Weekly Newspaper Contest.

Navarre Press was nominated and received eight awards, including first place for General Excellence, the highest award a newspaper can receive in the FPA. The award encompasses writing, ad design, graphic design, newspaper layout and photos. Navarre Press was given top honors in its category of 7,000 and under circulation.

Other awards:

Sports Page or Section: Third

Headline Writing: Third

Photo Series in One Issue: Third

Spot News Picture: Second

Editorial Award: Second

Front Page Makeup: Second

General Excellence: First

Overall Graphic Design: First

 

The FPA is a state-wide organization dedicated to growing the industry of news, information and communication through education and networking.