Georgia Ports Authority’s Publications Win Top Awards

Savannah, Ga. – November 6, 2009 – Georgia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Atlanta chapter of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) awarded the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) FY2008 Annual Report: Georgia’s Ports for Georgia's People first place in 2009 competitions.

The annual report received the Phoenix Award from PRSA Georgia and three Gold Flames from IABC/Atlanta (Annual Report: Overall, Design and Writing). This was the third year in a row for GPA’s annual report to win with PRSA Georgia and second year in a row to receive the overall top honor with IABC/Atlanta.

The GPA’s quarterly publication, AnchorAge magazine, received top honors from PRSA-Georgia with the Phoenix Award and received a Silver Flame from IABC/Atlanta.

IABC/Atlanta also honored GPA with a Gold Flame for Overall Effort: Publications: External Series for GPA’s Service Flyers, two Silver Flames for Design: Print: External Series for GPA’s Service Flyers and Design: Print: External Single Piece for GPA’s Kia Service Flyer, and a Bronze Flame for Overall Effort: Publications: External Single Piece for GPA’s Kia Service Flyer.

“We judge our people, operations and technology on how well they perform and service our customers,” said GPA’s Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. “Recognition by these communications industry organizations signifies our annual report, as well as our publications and marketing materials rank among the best of the best.”

GPA’s External Affairs department produced the annual report and AnchorAge magazine under the leadership of GPA’s Director of External Affairs Robert Morris. GPA’s Trade Development department produced its marketing materials under the leadership of GPA’s General Manager of Commercial Communications Tom Swinson with the assistance of Realm Communications in Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 286,476 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $14.9 billion in income, $55.8 billion in revenue and $2.8 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy.

For additional information, please contact Robert Morris, GPA’s Director of External Affairs, at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com. Visit the GPA web site at www.gaports.com.

About Georgia PRSA: The Georgia chapter of PRSA is the second largest chapter of public relations professionals in the United States with approximately 850 members. It is an organization dedicated to developing and enriching the professional lives of Georgia's public relations practitioners.

About IABC/Atlanta: IABC/Atlanta is a local chapter of the IABC, headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. It represents approximately 300 professional communicators in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Its members include public relations and communication professionals from Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, communication agencies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies as well as freelance writers and consultants. All have a commitment to continue professional development and a desire to network with other communicators.