AWARDS PROGRAM

PRSA Awards Program

Our PRSA Awards Program celebrates the best and brightest communicators in our region!

2026 PRestige Awards Dinner

Viva PRestige! PRSA Tri-Cities Celebrates a Night of Big Wins, Bright Ideas and Community

What happens when you mix vintage Vegas flair, a room full of communicators and some of the best work in our region? A PRestige Awards celebration to remember. This year, PRSA Tri-Cities transformed the Eastman Lodge into a lively casino-inspired night of fun, fellowship and well-earned applause, complete with Elvis in the building, plenty of sparkle and a packed crowd ready to celebrate creative excellence. From community and media relations to internal communications, special events, video and more, 41 awards recognized the outstanding talent shaping stories and building connections across our region.

The night’s biggest jackpot, Best in Show, went to Eastman Corporate Communications for Digital re:imagine, a campaign that energized employee learning, connection and idea-sharing. We also celebrated a brand-new Creativity Award, won by Corporate Image for an interactive display created with First Bank & Trust Co. and cheered an exciting chapter first as student winners from East Tennessee State University joined the spotlight with awards in video, web, rebranding, feature writing and executive communications. Judged by PRSA peers from Nashville, Central Pennsylvania and San Francisco, the evening was a reminder that great PR doesn’t just inform—it inspires. If you’re looking for a smart, welcoming community of communications professionals, PRSA Tri-Cities is the place to connect, learn and celebrate work that matters. And if this year’s winners lit a spark for you, consider that your sign to join us and start planning your entry for next year’s PRestige Awards. We’ll save you a seat—and maybe even a spot in the winner’s circle.

Want to relive the fun? Be sure to check out our event photo gallery and short highlight video for a closer look at the bright lights, big wins and memorable moments from this year’s PRestige Awards.

And the winners are...

2026 Best in Show

Eastman – Digital re:imagine

2026 Creativity Award

Corporate Image – First Bank & Trust Company Interactive Display at EO Career Commons

Award of Excellence

City of Kingsport – Model City 101
City of Kingsport – Main Street Rebuild
City of Kingsport – Time Travel Toys
Corporate Image – Public Entity Partners 2024 Annual Report
Eastman – Digital re:imagine
Eastman – Engineering Contractor Transition
Eastman – Cybersecurity Awareness
Eastman – Tritan Value Proposition Video Series
Eastman – Hammer Time Explainer Video
Eastman – APEX Internal Communications Campaign
Eastman – Catalysts ERG: Community & Culture Campaign
Eastman – EVETS Membership Growth & Engagement
Eastman – 2025 GeorgE Innovation Awards
Eastman – Corporate Communications Virtual Summit
Eastman – Breaking the Distraction Cycle
Emory & Henry University – 2025 Tuition Reduction Campaign
Kingsport City Schools – Buck Van Huss Grand Reopening & Ribbon Cutting Event
PRSA TriCities Awards Committee – 2025 PRSA Tri-Cities Awards Dinner: An Enchanted Evening
Virginia Clean Cities – Evs 101: Bringing Hands-On Electric Vehicle Education to Rural Virginia

Award of Quality

AuthenticityPR – AuthenticityPR Newsletter
AuthenticityPR – HLTH Code Price Increase Notification
City of Kingsport – Twilight Alive Concert Series
City of Kingsport – City Projects in Pictures
Eastman – Forging Innovation: The Making of the GeorgE Award Trophy
Eastman – Eastman + Dobyns Bennett Football Recycling Initiative
Eastman – Eastman Executive Featured in CBS Climate Week Series
MarketingMel – Health Wagon
University of Virginia College at Wise – Your Guide to Becoming a Highland Cavalier
University of Virginia College at Wise – Chancellor’s Lip Syncs Turn into Annual Tradition
Virginia Dept. of Transportation – Celebrating the Rebuilding of Route 58