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In April, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce won eight awards in the Delaware Press Association’s 2021 Communications Contest, including four first place awards that were entered into the National Federation of Press Women’s National Communications Contest. The national results were released in June with the State Chamber receiving a first and second place award as well as two honorable mentions. “2020 was an incredibly busy year for us,” said vice president of strategic communications, Kelly Basile. “The staff remained diligent in never halting the delivery of timely information, important resources, and continued networking opportunities for Delaware’s business community. We never stopped working on behalf of our members.” NATIONAL RESULTS: 1st Place: Marketing Campaign – 2020 Superstars in Business Early in the pandemic, the event’s planning committee was faced with the decision on whether to hold the awards program in 2020. It was decided that there was never a more important time to shine a positive spotlight on Delaware’s small businesses and nonprofits. The State Chamber’s staff and committee pivoted the 22nd Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business program from an in-person luncheon to an interactive, virtual awards celebration. Watch the awards ceremony here. 2nd Place: Editing Nonprofit Print or Digital Publication – Putting Delawareans Back to Work: Economic Recovery in the First State In a joint letter sent to Governor Carney in April 2020, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and Delaware Business Roundtable proposed a series of strategic policy recommendations with consideration that the economic recovery from the pandemic will take far longer than any of us may have initially imagined. The piece, Putting Delaware Back to Work: Economic Recovery in the First State, summarized those policy recommendations. Honorable Mention: Digital Newsletter – The Weekly Report In the age of spamming, the Weekly Report delivers one thoughtfully curated email every Friday morning to subscribers that brings together the most important news and events happening in Delaware, and from many different sources. During the pandemic, this newsletter was imperative to our subscribers as it provided a ‘one-stop-shop’ for information on things like resources and relief, PPP loan updates, emergency order modifications, upcoming webinars as well as webinar recaps, and more. Honorable Mention: Graphics and Design Publication – COVID-19 Prevention Best Practices Guide Based on the best practices shared by employers in these critical industries, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce provided guidelines and suggestions to assist other Delaware businesses in their efforts to provide safe workplaces for their employees and customers as they come back online. Click here to view the guide. STATE RESULTS: 1st Place: Marketing Campaign – 2020 Superstars in Business 1st Place: Digital Newsletter – The Weekly Report 1st Place: Editing Newsletter/nonprofit – Putting Delawareans Back to Work: Economic Recovery in the First State 1st Place: Graphics and Design Publication – COVID-19 Prevention Best Practices Guide 2nd Place: Editing, Print or Online Publication – September/October 2020 Delaware Business Magazine 3rd Place: Webinar – Creating a Door of Opportunity 3rd Place: Webinar – Return to Work Safely: COVID-19 Screening, Monitoring & Testing 3rd Place: Video Nonprofit – Back to Work Conference Promotional Video Honorable Mention: Editing, Print or Online Publication – November/December 2020 Delaware Business Magazine About the Delaware Press Association and National Federation of Press Women Communications Contests The annual Delaware Press Association Communications Contest, open to all professional communicators in Delaware and nearby out-of-state communities, encourages and rewards excellence in communication. Judged by out-of-state communications professionals to ensure impartiality, the contest provides an opportunity to compete in various print or electronic broadcasting fields. The annual contest is two-tiered. The first tier of the contest is the statewide DPA competition. The second tier is the national competition, run by the National Federation of Press Women. All entries that receive a first place in the DPA Contest are eligible for entry into the national competition. About the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. Founded in 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state.