The City of Kannapolis is currently basking in the glow of victory, having snatched up several honors at the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) 2025 Excellence in Communications Awards. The prestigious event, which celebrates the crème de la crème of municipal communication efforts, bestowed upon Kannapolis a trio of awards. Most notable among them is the first place in the Multi-platform Campaign category, attributed to their Gem Theatre Renovation Campaign, as reported by the City of Kannapolis.
While the competition was stiff, with a record-breaking 179 submissions from 47 municipalities, Kannapolis emerged from the April 10 ceremony with two additional second-place accolades. Showing their resourcefulness, the city clinched the Most Creative with Least Dollars Spent accolade, also shining through their efforts to engage the community which earned them the Most Citizen Engagement award. Both second-place awards celebrated the renovation and reopening event for the Gem Theatre.
NC3C’s President Kaisha Brown lauded this year's contenders for their outstanding work, with entries being meticulously judged by peers from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. "This year, we saw not only the highest number of award submissions we've ever received, but also a record number of municipalities participating," Brown commented. She continued to praise the breadth and depth of the communication expertise displayed across various platforms and situations. Brown’s full commentary was made available in the announcement from the City of Kannapolis.
The Gem Theatre, an octogenarian landmark, has been on a precision journey of restoration that marries modern amenities with the nostalgia of its historic roots. The city's campaign engaged community members deeply, with over 700 people opening their wallets to contribute to the fundraising efforts. They sponsored new seats, bought marquee bricks, or took home a piece of history by purchasing one of the vintage seats. This rejuvenation has certainly resonated with the public, as the theatre’s events, according to the City of Kannapolis' release, frequently run to full houses since it reopened. It sits at the heart of Downtown Kannapolis and, wearing its new sheen, it is drawing crowds seeking entertainment in the refreshed downtown area.
