Town’s COVID-19 reopening response wins Platinum, Annual Report Gold, in 2020 MarCom Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2020

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham received a Platinum award – the highest honour – in this year's MarCom Awards for its Moving Forward: A Framework for Reopening during COVID-19 operations and communications plan. 

One of the expected 5,000 submissions to various categories this year, the reopening plan received a score of 90-100 in the Crisis Communication Plan or Response category. Among the early results, Pelham is the only Municipality awarded for its COVID response so far, Canadian or otherwise. Full results are available in early November.

The Moving Forward document and its complementing files (including the Employee Return to Work, two Staff Surveys, and the By-Election Safety protocols) result from Pelham staff's work and contributions. The award highlights Pelham's commitment to safety and customer service during the pandemic. Staff answered surveys, indicating what was required to provide safe service, and management implemented best practices and policies, ensuring health and safety for staff and stakeholders was at the forefront.

"Two awards and an honourable mention reflect the Town's enhanced efforts at communications with its residents," said Chief Administrative Officer David Cribbs. "I am particularly proud of the Platinum win because it pertains to a communications undertaking that involved consultation and input from all staff, leadership from all senior leaders, and endorsement by Town Council – everyone came together to create a plan to guide us through reopening. I trust that the community will join me in providing a hats-off salute to those who worked on these initiatives."

MarCom Awards honours excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work, and industry professionals' generosity.

Since its inception in 2004, MarCom has evolved into one of the world's largest, most-respected creative competitions. Each year about 6,000 print and digital entries are submitted from dozens of countries.

The MarCom Awards are administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communications, advertising, public relations, digital, and web professionals. The Association oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges, and sets standards for excellence. 

Also recognized in this year's awards was Pelham's first-ever Annual Report, winning Gold. The report provides details about the Town's financial performance and strategic goal achievements in the 2019 fiscal year.

Highlights from 2019 include award-winning communications initiatives, updating and developing financial policies such as reserves, debt, and cash management, establishing an audit committee and a utility sustainability committee, and developing a capital asset strategic policy.

"Maintaining financial strength continues to be a focus for the Town, and this report provides a high-level overview of the 2019 financial results for Pelham," said director of corporate services and treasurer, Teresa Quinlin. "To be recognized for this award with the first-ever annual report the Town has produced speaks to the many qualified and dedicated employees working here."

The report includes financial processes, consolidated financial statements, independent auditor's reports, financial position statements, and a statistical review for the five years of 2015-2019.

This year's awards follow up last year's MarCom and AVA Digital Gold Awards for the Town's redesigned website and a Hermes Creative Gold Award for Pelham's corporate communications plan.

Learn more about the Town of Pelham's response to COVID-19 by visiting www.pelham.ca/covid19  

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For more information, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Communications and Public Relations Specialist
905-892-2607 x309
mmacdonald@pelham.ca