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�ֲ���ý brings home NCMPR award

Published on Oct 11, 2024

By Dr. Laura McCullough

�ֲ���ý’s marketing team was the recipient of a district level Gold Medallion Award at the 2024 National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Conference (NCMPR) in the Successful Recruitment or Marketing Program category.

The winning nomination focused on Trade Wars, an annual technical skills competition.  The event required branded pieces for marketing, logistics, photography and more. The marketing team created the brand identity for Trade Wars from the ground up.

Materials produced for the event include the Trade Wars logo, patterns, award banners, posters/flyers and much more. Each piece of the event contributed by marketing speaks cohesively to the overall theme of the event. 

Attention to detail and dedication in sharing the story of the event is part of what earned the �ֲ���ý team the award.

At the 2024 Trade Wars event, there were over 600 high school students in attendance, with around 450 of those students competing in events. This was all thanks to the culmination of months of planning by faculty, programs, recruitment, marketing, advancement and many volunteers that help make the event happen. 

Because of the success of Trade Wars, other schools have begun to plan similar events. �ֲ���ý is proud to host such an event that gives high school students a reason to be excited about our institution, leading to matriculation of prospective students. 

Mary Morris, director of Marketing at �ֲ���ý, remarked on the team’s win, noting the event that opened doors for the award.

“Trade Wars is an exciting event and is the first of its kind in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System,” Morris began. “It would not exist without the �ֲ���ý Rowan Campus faculty and the college recruitment team.”

She discussed other key players in the project. 

“It was dreamed up by Welding Program Coordinator Nick Pecco, creating the first iteration of the event in 2019. Director of Recruitment Natalee Brown helped turn it into a huge recruiting effort for �ֲ���ý,” Morris credited. 

She noted the progression of the event and new opportunities brought forth. 

“It has grown exponentially since then,” she remarked. “Marketing for the event has evolved over the years, allowing us to stretch our creativity and challenge our expertise.”

Morris concluded, “I am so proud to have been involved in this creative process from its inception, and equally as proud to be on Team �ֲ���ý.”

�ֲ���ý Marketing Specialist Madelyn Clarke shared sentiments regarding the team’s win at the 2024 District NCMPR Conference. 

“Trade Wars 2024 was my second Trade Wars event as �ֲ���ý marketing staff and I'm just incredibly grateful to have any contribution,” Clarke began. 

She continued, “You really can't understand the excitement of this event until you're there seeing the students in action. It's so powerful to see what we can do working together as a group of higher ed faculty and staff.”

Learn more about Team �ֲ���ý.