The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (ADEDC) received top honors in the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)’s Communication Awards for its #MadeInAlbanyGA industry marketing campaign, which was named “Best of Class” at the annual awards. The honor was received in the category of Overall Marketing Campaign for communities with populations of 25,000 – 200,000.

In addition to its Best of Class honor, the organization was also recognized with a certificate of merit for the print advertising component of its #MadeInAlbanyGA campaign. 

“These Annual Communication Awards recognize and showcase the leading communication and marketing work done by economic development professionals throughout the south. The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission hit the mark this year with its communication piece, ‘#MadeInAlbanyGA Industry Marketing Campaign: Albany, Georgia as a destination for world-class manufacturing,’ said SEDC president, Gene Stinson. “This piece not only showed creativity, but also solid messaging and effectiveness at reaching their target audience. We were wowed by all the entries we received this year and were impressed with the high level of marketing work being done in economic development by SEDC members.” 

The #MadeInAlbanyGA industry marketing campaign – comprised of print, digital and in-store marketing components – seeks to celebrate the supreme craftsmanship of the Albany-Dougherty County workforce and the products they create though encouraging the local community to take pride in and ownership of these products and industries, while also providing industrial prospects with a glimpse into Albany’s capabilities and benefits as a manufacturing destination.

“We are very proud to have the Made in Albany campaign recognized at this level. It truly is because of our local manufacturers and workforce that our community has earned this honor,” said Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty EDC. “The EDC’s objective is to support the efforts of our existing industries while promoting the many benefits of doing business in Albany-Dougherty County in order to expand our industry base. The Made in Albany campaign has been a wonderful way to help do just that.”

Designed to increase community awareness on the operations of existing industries and the products produced by real people in Albany-Dougherty County, to be used all over the world, the first phase of the campaign kicked off in 2017 featuring a new manufacturer each month over the course of a year, highlighting the personal story of an employee working to produce an Albany-made product.

The second phase, which launched in 2019, features compiled elements of each manufacturer along with store signage indicating Albany-made products at local retailers including Homerun Foods, Mike’s Country Store and Woodall’s. 

The campaign has collectively produced hundreds of thousands of impressions across multiple platforms, ensuring that “made in Albany, Georgia” continues to evoke pride and respect, as it signifies the world’s finest products produced by its most capable workforce.

The awards were presented during the 2019 SEDC Annual Conference, August 4-6, 2019, in New Orleans, LA.

Judges for the SEDC Communication Awards are economic development consultants and communication and design professionals from across the southern United States who work with clients in developing strategies for growth in their communities. Judges are chosen based on their knowledge of economic development, the site selection process, content creation and graphic de­sign.