Paducah launches 'Celebrating Excellence' campaign | Community Spirit

PADUCAH, KY (KFVS) - After earning awards in categories valuable to any community, Paducah, Kentucky announces its Celebrating Excellence campaign for 2012.

Over the past few months, a committee consisting of EntrePaducah Executive Director Terry Reeves, Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau Marketing Director Rosemarie Steele, West Kentucky Community & Technical College (WKCTC) Director of Marketing Janett Blythe, and Paducah Public Information Officer Pam Spencer began thinking of unique ways to market the awards which include the Dozen Distinctive Destinations, Chamber of the Year, 100 Best Communities for Young People, and WKCTC Nation’s Top Five Community College. 

“We know this award-winning city will not stand still and will continue to achieve greatness.  We want something that can continue to grow as new awards are received,” says Paducah Public Information Officer Pam Spencer.

Spencer says that the Paducah Celebrating Excellence campaign consists of two elements: The first is the creation of a central source of information, a website, showcasing recognition earned by local public and private entities.

Updated logos and links to information about the awards can be easily found on the website. 

The second element involves promoting the website and logo.  Local businesses and public service agencies are encouraged to attach the link to www.awardwinningpaducah.com and logo to advertising they may run in their respective trade publications.  Design-ready artwork for the link is available at no charge.

“The concept is simple.  As a company shares its award with its contacts and markets its award in chosen publications, all of the local awards will get attention,” says Reeves.

The Celebrating Excellence campaign started with Paducah collectively bringing home in 2011 top honors in the areas of higher education, business advocacy, tourism, and quality of life.  In chronological order, Paducah-McCracken County brought home four major awards:

• March:  Paducah is named one of a “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Paducah was also voted the “Fan Favorite” among the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations.”  Paducah’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau led the effort.
•  August: The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is named “Chamber of the Year” by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.
• October:  City of Paducah named “One of the Nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People” by America’s Promise Alliance and ING.
• December:  WKCTC named one of the “Top Five Community Colleges in America” by the Aspen Institute.

Throughout 2012, organizers say Paducah will focus its “Celebration of Excellence” campaign toward its economic development targets through strategic messaging and events.

To follow the year’s events and to learn more about the four national awards received by Paducah, visit www.awardwinningpaducah.com.

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