Contest Categories

Logo, Illustration or Graphic
A logo, icon or icon set, or a general graphic. Provide examples of the items in use. Include a before-and-after look if applicable. 

Photography
An individual or a series of photographs with proof of publication or display. Describe any enhancements and manipulations made to the photos. If you add or remove any significant elements in the photos, provide a copy of the original, unedited photos.

Writing
The text from a news release, feature article, opinion piece, speech, blog post or other writing used to educate, inform, or establish a policy position. Entries are judged on quality of writing only, not layout or design.

Humorous
Best use of humor to creatively inform, educate, urge, or promote.  

Graphic Design - NEW IN 2026
Overall structure and design of printed or digital publications, or specialized marketing tools, such as maps, posters or exhibits.  Submissions should enhance usability, capture attention, showcase compelling visuals, use cohesive branding, display impactful storytelling, and demonstrate effectiveness in communications objectives.

Annual Report
An annual report distributed in either electronic or print format.

Multipage Publication
A booklet, brochure, calendar, pamphlet or other multipage publication, distributed in electronic or print format.

Newsletter or Magazine
A periodical publication, distributed in electronic or print format. Upload PDFs or equivalent electronic files representing three consecutive issues published published during the entry timeframe. In your description, note how often the newsletter or magazine is published.

Agency, Event, Program or Service Video
A video to educate or inform about an agency, event, program, or service.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Community Interest Video
An educational or informational video featuring community members, organizations, clubs, events, programs, or other stories that generate human interest.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Instructional Video
A training or demonstration video for an external or internal audience.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine
A regularly scheduled program reporting current events through reports, packages, interviews or conversations in studio or on location.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Promotional Video
A promotional or profile video, over two minutes in duration, highlighting an organization, event, program, or service.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Public Health or Public Safety Video
An educational or informational video highlighting public health or public safety agencies, issues, programs, or services.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Video Campaign or Series
A campaign or series of three or more segments to educate or raise awareness about an issue or topic.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Video Short or Social Media Campaign
A short video or series of three or fewer short videos for promotional purposes, public service announcing, or a social media campaign.
Videos entered in this category must be 2 minutes or less.

Video by Professional Vendors
A video produced by a professional vendor.
Upload a video of up to 10 minutes. This can be continuous segment from a longer video or a single video combining up to 3 segments (separated by black) depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will not watch more than 10 minutes of video per entry.

Marketing or Communications Plan
A marketing or communications planning document, new or revised, defining intended outcomes, strategies, and timeline for communicating with constituents about a specific project, program, or topic. Include documentation of implementation and results.

Public Information Project
A project to raise the profile of government or a government activity, program, service, or product. Submit all relevant material.

Special Event
An event to raise the profile of a government-related organization, agency, activity, program, service, or product. Examples include: a State of the County presentation, news conference, media event or open house, or an event for a specific audience not necessarily open to the public. Submit all relevant material.

Community Engagement
An effort to increase community engagement, participation, and awareness, with documented proof of success.

Social Media Engagement - NEW IN 2025 (separated from Community Engagement)
An effort to increase community engagement, participation, and awareness on social media, with documented proof of success. Eligible projects include digital engagement tools and techniques. Engagement tools are not limited to social media, community engagement platforms and services, blogs, microsites, podcasts, mobile apps, and chatbots.

DEI Advancement in your Community
This new category is a chance to showcase communication advocating for and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in your community. We're looking for examples of communications that:

• Foster positive communication and promotes building relationships among persons of different races, ages, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religious backgrounds, or physical and mental abilities
• Involve your community in events, projects, and efforts to increase diversity awareness in the community and workplace
• Lead the way in advocating for change

Communicator of the Year Award
Recognizes an outstanding effort made during the previous year.

Scott Pengelly Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes a remarkable body of work accomplished over the course of a career. 

New Communications Professional Award
Recognizes an outstanding effort made during the previous year by a new-to-the-field professional by demonstrating special creativity or admirable initiative and showing a promising future in the field of government communications. This communications professional must have started employment within the field no earlier than January 1 of the previous year.