Carroll EMC’s Communications Department earned first-place honors in a national communications contest for its 90th anniversary history video. The award was presented during the CCA Institute, an annual conference hosted by the Cooperative Communicators Association, this year in Chattanooga, TN.
The contest recognizes outstanding work created by cooperative communicators throughout the past year. CCA is a national organization for professionals who communicate on behalf of cooperatives across a wide range of industries. This year’s contest drew approximately 400 entries from more than 39 cooperatives in North America, with awards honoring excellence in writing, photography, programs and projects, and publications.
Kelly Jimenez, Carroll EMC Communications Director and sitting president of the CCA Board of Directors, led the project that earned the cooperative a first-place award in the documentary video over five minutes category.
Created in celebration of Carroll EMC’s 90th anniversary, the award-winning video commemorates the cooperative’s history through archival photos and interviews with longtime employees. Jimenez helped bring the project to life by gathering materials, coordinating interviews and working with a local freelance videographer who filmed and edited the final piece.
“This recognition is a meaningful reflection of the care and creativity our Communications team put into telling Carroll EMC’s story,” said Jay Gill, Senior Vice President of Member and External Relations. “As we celebrate 90 years of service, this video reminds us of where we started, how far we have come and why the communities we serve remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Beyond the awards presentations, the three-day conference gave cooperative communicators the opportunity to sharpen their skills, swap ideas and take home practical tricks of the trade to strengthen communications at their own cooperatives. Sessions covered topics such as member engagement, photography and video production, and sustainability.
You can watch the winning video at https://youtu.be/W73Y6X5iOg4?si=A9OC5OT2yXBITx6e.