The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce was recently named the recipient of the National Communications Excellence Award.

The awards program is designed to celebrate exceptional work in the areas of advertising and marketing, campaigns, digital and publications and is presented annually by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in Alexandria, Virginia.

“We are just beside ourselves,” said Landon Nichols, destination and marketing coordinator for the Chamber. “We are really excited to win this award, not for ourselves, but for Selma as a community.”

The Chamber received a grand award for its 2017 Find it Local Guide.

A panel of peers — communications and marketing executives from chambers of commerce around North America — evaluated submissions and selected top entries to receive recognition.

“It just shows that even in a rural community that can sometimes be cash strapped like Selma, Alabama, you can still do innovative things and make progress,” Nichols said.

Entries were from all over the United States as well as the Cayman Islands.

“Putting together this guide is a way for us to connect members of the community with the members of the Chamber as well as connect visitors to our community,” Nichols said.

Of the 49 award-winning entries in 2017, only 12 are recognized as Grand Award winners and 37 are recognized as Award of Excellence winners. Three Best in Show awards will be announced at a special event Tuesday, July 18 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Communicating effectively is vital for chambers of commerce and grabbing attention is becoming increasingly challenging. This year’s award-winning entries represent work that’s not only effective, but incredibly creative and innovative,” said Ben Wills, director of communications and marketing for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

“Communications professionals at chambers of commerce work tirelessly to promote their members, businesses in the community they serve and the unique characteristics that make their state or region a top place to live, work and play.”

Nichols said for the Chamber it’s exciting to promote Selma and what it has to offer.

“Showcasing Selma is a whole lot of fun,” Nichols said. “This is an incredible community with fascinating history, beautiful architecture and some of the greatest people I’ve ever met. So being able to go out every day and promote this community is always exciting for us.”