CAPIO’s Excellence in Communications 2012 Award finalists have been announced and winners were honored during the annual ceremony on Thursday April 20, 7 p.m., at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel in Palm Springs.

CAPIO’s award categories are designed to showcase the best of the best in government  communications, said Nancy Pearl, CAPIO first vice president and awards chair. “This year’s entries raised the bar for professionalism and diversity.”

Winners received one of three awards: Award of Excellence, Award of Distinction and Award of Merit. This year’s winners are:

Writing
City of Santa Cruz – One Person’s Trash-Down to the Sea in Ships
Ventura County Fire Department – Tenth Anniversary of 9/11
Sacramento Suburban Water District – Tap Water Facts

Newsletter External
Casitas Municipal Water District – Casitas Water News
Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority – Diversions Newsletter
Western Municipal Water District – On-Tap

Newsletter Internal
Coachella Valley Water District – Water Gazette
Western Municipal Water District – The Splash

Other/Special Publication
City of Santa Clarita – Seasons “City Information and Recreation Guide”
Coachella Valley Water District – CVWD 2012 Calendar
Sacramento Suburban Water District – Outdoor Watering Schedule Magnet Bill Insert

Photography
Sweetwater Authority – Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District – 2012 Bufferlands Poster Calendar

Graphics
Sacramento Area Sewer District – 2011 FOG Logo, Slogan & Key Message
City of Bell Gardens – In House 50th Anniversary
California State Association of Counties – CSAC 2011 Annual Meeting Graphics/Logo

Video - Long Form
Port of Long Beach – Faces of the Port: Remembering 100 Years
City of Santa Clarita – Strong Cities Strong State Video
Metropolitan Transportation Commission – “Transportation Priorities: How Would YOU Invest?”

Website
Southgate Recreation & Park District – New District Website
City of Hermosa Beach – Hermosa Beach, CA Website
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission – San Francisco Water Power Sewer Website

Online Newsletter
CalSTRS – CalSTRS Connect Employee E-newsletter

New Media
City of West Hollywood – The City of West Hollywood’s New Media Strategy
Orange County Transportation Authority- West County Connectors Project

Campaigns/Programs: Crisis Communications/Public Safety
City of Santa Clarita – “Heroin Kills: The High is a Lie”
County of San Diego- County of San Diego Antiterrorism Campaign

Campaigns/Programs: Marketing/Communications
Mesa Water District – Hello: My Name is Mesa Water
Regional Water Authority – Blue Thumb Campaign
City of Elk Grove – City of Elk Grove Diversity Awareness Program

Campaigns/Programs: Ballot Question
City of Palm Springs – Measure J

Community Relations/Engagement: Special Events
City of Palm Springs – Desert Fashion Plaza-Master Plng and Com Design Process-Visioning Workshops
City of Santa Clarita – “Senses On Main Street”
San Juan Water District – “Flip on the Switch” Solar Power Event

Special: Innovation
Castro Valley Sanitary District – Reduce Your Waste Size Program
Bay Area Air Quality Mgmt Dist – Great Race for Clean Air
Port of Long Beach – A Century in Photos Art Exhibit

Special: “Dollar Stretcher”
Castro Valley Sanitary District - Reduce Your Waste Size Program
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation Dist - 2012 Bufferlands Poster Calendar
City of Elk Grove - Ask Elk Grove Customer Service Program

Special Event
City of Palm Springs -  Desert Fashion Plaza Master Planning and Community Design Workshop
City of Santa Clarita – Senses on Main Street
San Juan Water District – Flip on the Switch