SEDC gives the Communication Awards each year at its annual conference. Over 20 categories of marketing work submitted by SEDC members are evaluated within four division-size levels. The awards are: BEST OF SHOW, BEST OF CLASS, SUPERIOR, EXCELLENT, MERIT, and SPECIAL JUDGES’ AWARDS. Judging criteria for General Entry Awards include Graphic Appeal, Clarity of Message, Quality of Information, Positioning / Differentiation, and Format. All winners were on full display for attendees to view during the conference.
Judges for the Communication Awards competition are economic development consultants, practitioners, and design professionals from across the southern U.S. who work with clients in developing strategies for growth in their communities. SEDC chooses judges based on their knowledge of economic development, site location, and design. They understand businesses' needs in choosing a site and how communities and economic development organizations can reach prospective clients through their marketing efforts.
To be eligible for the 2025 competition, entries must have been produced or have undergone significant revisions between June 2024 and June 2025. Entries from previous SEDC Annual Conference competitions are not accepted. Competition is limited to SEDC members from economic development organizations. You may submit a duplicate entry in more than one category. Public relations and advertising agencies may submit entries on behalf of their clients (who are SEDC members) if the entry is submitted under the client’s name and address. Awards will be presented to the entering economic development organization, not to advertising or public relations agencies. All awards feature the name of the economic development organization.