Congratulations to the 2026 MAGC Northern Lights Contest award winners!
July 2026The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) is pleased to share the winners of the 2026 MAGC Northern Lights Contest. Click here to view the gallery of all entries that received a Bronze, Silver, or Northern Lights award at the Northern Lights Award Ceremony on Wednesday, July 17. MAGC also recognized the recipients of this year's Special Achievement Awards, which recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond in the field of government communications.
MAGC Member Spotlight: Liz Gass
June 2026Liz Gass Digital Communications Coordinator | City of Rochester Liz Gass is a communications professional with the City of Rochester who loves turning complicated government information into clear, useful content people can actually understand. She's especially passionate about web strategy, digital accessibility and making government websites work better for everyone. When she's not untangling web content, she enjoys chasing her two kids and dog around, as well as cooking and hiking (when she finds the time).
Quick Tips: Prepare for Summer Weather with Media Kits from TPT Now
May 2026Summer is almost here! Make sure your community is prepared with media kits from TPT Now. TPT Now is a public service from Twin Cities PBS working to ensure Minnesotans receive accessible, actionable emergency preparedness information. Resources are available in several languages and can be shared on social media, email, and digital platforms through June 2026.
Register now for the annual Northern Lights Ceremony on July 15!
May 2026Celebrate and mingle with your fellow government communicators at our annual Northern Lights Awards Ceremony luncheon on July 15, 2026 at the Plymouth Community Center. You don't need to be a member of MAGC to attend! We'll kick things off with a keynote address from last year's Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, John Siqveland. After the keynote, John will announce this year's Special Achievement Awards, which will be followed by the traditional Northern Lights Awards Ceremony.
Call for Presenters Now Open: 2026 MAGC Annual Conference
May 2026We're excited to announce that the Call for Presenters for the 2026 MAGC Annual Conference is now open! This is your opportunity to share ideas, showcase your work, and help shape a conference built by and for government communicators. We are looking for engaging, practical sessions that offer real-world insights attendees can take back to their organizations. What We're Looking For We welcome a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to): Strategic communications and planning Crisis and emergency communication Community engagement and public participation Digital tools, social media, and analytics Storytelling, branding, and content creation Internal communications and organizational alignment Digital accessibility and AI Whether you are presenting a case study, lessons you've learned, or an innovative approach, your experience can help others in the field.
MAGC Member Spotlight: Mike Lindsay
April 2026Mike Lindsay, MAGC Training & Education Chair Senior Communications Specialist, Public Works | Carver County Communications Mike Lindsay is Senior Communications Specialist for Public Works at Carver County, where he helps residents, businesses, and community partners stay informed about major infrastructure and park projects. He previously spent six years with Ramsey County supporting public outreach, volunteer engagement, and digital communications. Mike serves as Training and Education Chair for the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators.
MAGC special achievement award nominations are open now through May 4
April 2026MAGC is now accepting nominations for special achievement awards! Our special achievement awards recognize individuals who have helped build public trust in government and whose work has gone well above and beyond the normal duties and responsibilities of their positions. The Communicator of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding effort made during the previous calendar year. The Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a remarkable body of work accomplished over the course of a career.