HICKORY — The City of Hickory was among 39 North Carolina jurisdictions honored in the North Carolina City & County Communicators 2026 Excellence in Communications Awards, the city said April 14, 2026.
Competing in the small-population category, Hickory won five awards: two first-place and three third-place. Awards were presented April 9 at NC3C’s annual conference. The city said 266 entries were judged by communications professionals from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators.
NC3C President Adam Gaub said the contest “has become increasingly more competitive each year” as the organization has grown over two decades, with entries up more than 33 percent from last year’s high.
Hickory took first place in Graphic Design and in Brochure for its latest Crafting Hickory Magazine, produced by the Office of Communications. The city said the magazine mixes storytelling, photography, and messaging around the Life. Well Crafted. brand and is used for business recruitment, tourism, community engagement, and identity.
Third place in Video – Public Service Announcement and in Most Creative with Least Dollars Spent went to the James Pond stormwater video. The city said it was developed at no cost and follows “James Pond,” a secret-agent rubber duck, through drains, creeks, and Lake Hickory. Third place in Audio went to the Trash Talk Tuesday Theme Song, an AI-generated track for the waste and recycling campaign.
Communications and Marketing Manager Dana Kaminske said the awards “showcase just a few of the amazing projects created by the Communications team.” NC3C formed in March 2007. More is at www.nc3c.com.
The April 14 notice does not list other local winners, prize money, or how many Hickory entries were submitted.
Official release from City of Hickory, April 14, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/city-hickory-wins-five-statewide-communications-awards
