Boston, MA (November 6, 2023) – This year’s District 1 Conference for the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) just wrapped up in Boston. And the Northern Essex Community College Marketing-Communications Department earned several awards, honors, and distinctions as part of the three-day event.

NCMPR Awards and NECC Marketing Team Members: Jessica Angelini, Melissa Bouse, Keith Paul, Justin Aguirre (NECC alum and Awards Ceremony Emcee), and Brian Hough

NCMPR is a national organization that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. Each year, it hosts regional conferences in the fall in each of its seven districts and a national conference in the spring.

NECC is part of District 1, along with colleges from Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and the United Kingdom.

NECC Chief Marketing Officer Keith Paul served as co-chair of the District 1 conference, which included keynote addresses from Brittany Zahoruiko, Senior Manager of Communications from Boston Beer; Dr. Amari Paris Jeffries, Executive Director of Embrace Boston and The Castle Group Vice President Dylan Hackley; and WBZ Radio’s Matt Shearer.

The conference centered around a series of workshops and breakout sessions, including one led by Melissa Bouse, NECC director of public relations, sharing how NECC uses Appreciative Inquiry in evidence-based planning and decision-making. View the full program, designed by NECC Creative Director Trev Stair, here.

Perhaps the highlight of the event was the Awards of Excellence Dinner and Medallions Awards Ceremony. Northern Essex alum and Kiss 108 executive producer and co-host Justin Aguirre served as emcee, handing out dozens of awards and honors to attendees. Northern Essex won a total of eight medallion awards for its marketing and public relations efforts, and Bouse took home the Rising Star honor, which is awarded to NCMPR members who demonstrate special creativity or ability in college communication and show evidence of a promising future in this field of work.

The final day of the conference included recognition of retiring and retired NCMPR members at a breakfast attended by former NCMPR President and former NECC CMO Ron Taber.

The National Conference will be March 14-16 in Seattle, WA. Bouse is automatically considered for the National Rising Star award, and the Northern Essex Marketing-Communications Department has entered more pieces for consideration for the National Paragon Awards.

NECC Medallions Awards:

Newsletter – alumnecc (spring 2023) Bronze

Booklet – Strategic Planner, Gold

E-Cards – 2022 Holiday Card, Bronze

Website – NECC Website, Silver

Print Advertisement (single or series) – MassHire, Bronze

Television/Video Paid Advertisement (single) – Built For Your Speed, Bronze

Television/Video Paid Advertisement (series) – Start Here, Gold

Logo Wear – Giving Day Socks, Bronze