Organization receives Special Judges’ Award for Comprehensive Communications Effort from Southern Economic Development Council
The Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) has received a communications award from the oldest and largest economic development association in North America.
During its virtual annual conference live-streamed from Nashville Aug. 17 and 18, the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) presented SPEDA with a Special Judges’ Award for Comprehensive Communications Effort for a campaign celebrating the organization’s one-year anniversary.
The campaign spanned the month of February 2020 and included a social media strategy designed to highlight all of SPEDA’s accomplishments during its first year, in addition to a weekly email marketing campaign, a print marketing piece and advertisements in local and statewide publications.
SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler accepted the award during the conference live stream. He thanked SEDC for the honor and stressed the importance of effective communication to advance economic development.
“At SPEDA we believe wholeheartedly in the power of good communication, whether that be internal or external,” he said. “It is a pillar of community advancement and success. We look forward to continuing to work with SEDC and so many other partners telling our story of the great things happening in Somerset, Pulaski County and the Lake Cumberland region of southeast Kentucky.”
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, SEDC’s conference was held virtually through an interactive streaming service. The conference featured seven educational sessions where participants heard from experts on the economy, industry sector updates, and new ways to market and position communities during a pandemic.
SEDC, a non-profit membership organization, has members in 17 states in the American South, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The organization strives to provide information and leadership to economic development professionals in its region.