Ottawa County Communications Honored with National Savvy Award

Ottawa County has been recognized with a Savvy Award from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) for the documentary film titled "The Ottawa Sands Project." The award was presented at the 3CMA Annual Conference. 3CMA is the premier national network of local government communicators. Its annual Savvy Awards salute the best in city and county communications, recognizing the professionals who design and implement successful, innovative marketing strategies that strengthen resident-government relationships.

This year’s competition was one of the largest in its history, with over 1,100 entries. Each submission was reviewed by professional communicators from across the United States who assessed creativity, effectiveness, and impact. Winning the Savvy Award places Ottawa County among the nation’s top local government communicators and reinforces the County’s ongoing dedication to innovative, resident-centered communication strategies.

The "Ottawa Sands Project" documentary, directed and produced by Ottawa County’s Digital Communications Specialist Scott Vandenberg, tells the story of Ottawa County’s newest and most exciting park. The short film, released earlier this year, highlights the dedication and ingenuity that led to the park’s unique transformation. The production also demonstrates how creative and professional communications can capture local voices, inspire pride, and deliver high-quality results at a minimal cost.

“This recognition affirms the power of storytelling in local government,” said Shannon Felgner, Ottawa County Communications Director. “The film highlights Scott’s ability to connect residents with their community through creative, impactful communications.”

Vandenberg said, “A documentary is nothing without a compelling story, and this film’s success proves that fantastic stories can be found all around us in Ottawa County. This one has all the makings of a classic—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, seemingly insurmountable odds, and an ensemble cast of heroes: public servants, local partners, and a community that all care deeply about preserving natural spaces. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to share The Ottawa Sands Project with the residents of Ottawa County and with the world, and deeply grateful to 3CMA for providing government communicators with a space to collaborate and celebrate success.”

In addition to the Savvy Award (first place), Ottawa County also earned recognition for its Ottawa Out Loud podcast, which received an Award of Excellence (third place) in the Interview/Talk Show/News Programming category. The podcast brings listeners behind the scenes of Ottawa County government through conversations with staff, partners, and community leaders. This national recognition highlights the County’s creative approach to making government accessible, transparent, and engaging for residents. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other popular platforms.

Scott Vandenberg, Ottawa County Communications Specialist, poses with the Savvy Award at the 3CMA Annual Conference.