Delray Beach's own Gina Carter, Director of Communications for the city, has bagged a top honor from the Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FMCA), as announced by the professional group aimed at Florida's civic heralds. Carter earned herself a Certificate of Excellence – Local Government Communicator, a distinction reserved for municipal mouthpieces who shine in clarity, transparency, and engagement via smart use of digital tools.
FMCA President, and Deputy City Manager for the City of Atlantic Beach, Kevin Hogencamp, sang praises for those in his field – stating that government communicators are crucial for building trust and facilitating progress within their territories by getting the word out, both quickly and clearly. "As we celebrate the members who achieved this year's Certificate of Excellence, we honor their tireless efforts to elevate government communication to new heights," he said, according to the FMCA.
According to the City of Delray Beach, Carter has been a maverick, pushing Delray's municipal communication into the future with her pioneering tactics on various digital channels. Her strategies include utilizing social media, digital publications, and a city-specific app to maximize community engagement and increase governmental transparency. "Under Gina Carter's leadership, Delray Beach has set a new standard for municipal communication," said Delray Beach City Manager Terrence Moore. "Her innovative approach to engaging with our community through various digital platforms, including social media, the city’s digital magazine, and the city’s new app, has significantly increased transparency and public participation."
The FMCA's certificate program doesn't just pat backs for showing up – it tallies points for active participation in the association's events, which span conferences, webinars, ethics courses, and probably most importantly, includes mastering the capabilities to livestream official procedures, handle social media with a deft hand, develop community-focused apps, and crafting crisis communication plans. And it's not just individuals getting the spotlight, the organization also acknowledges municipal public information outfits that have made strides in speaking to the populace their paychecks say they serve.
More than just a sun-soaked city where the good times roll, Delray Beach touts a rich past and a prize-winning penchant for municipal excellence. Notably, Delray Beach is a thrice-crowned All-America City and boasts titles from Verizon Business and Coastal Living Magazine, celebrating its attractiveness for small businesses and its status as America’s Happiest Seaside Town. With a historic and diverse array of communities, even USA TODAY gave the city's Atlantic Avenue a nod as one of America’s finest shopping streets. Delray Beach indeed appears to be a mix of pleasurable pastimes and pioneering public service, with accolades from various corners to prove it.
