Florida Communities of Excellence Awards to Recognize Community Revitalization in 4th Year of Communities of Excellence Program

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 19, 2011) - The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards today announced that communities that have made the journey from distress to revitalization will be honored with a new category, "The Comeback Kid," that has been added to the program for 2012.

"The Comeback Kid" will recognize communities whose boards and managers -- working together with industry vendors -- have restored community vitality following emergencies such as fires or hurricanes or decline resulting from other causes such as economic stress.

The "Comeback Kid" is one of 10 categories in the 2012 edition of the comprehensive, independent recognition program that represents the pinnacle of achievement for community associations throughout Florida.

"Our newest category, 'The Comeback Kid,' recognizes that many outstanding residential communities have had to endure difficult times," said Jim McMurry, publication director of the Florida Community Association Journal, which co-founded the Awards in 2009 with Becker & Poliakoff, a law firm representing more than 4,000 community associations in the state. "Given the economic uncertainty of our times, it's especially important that we bring attention to the methods by which communities are overcoming the many forms of adversity they can face today."

Submissions for the 2012 Awards will be accepted between September 19, 2011 and 12 Midnight (ET), January 15, 2012 with judging in late January. There is no entry fee for participating in the Awards and the entire process is completed online at www.communitiesofexcellence.net. Small communities and large communities are judged separately and there is no limit on the number of categories in which a community can compete.

Judging of submissions is conducted by independent professionals, including executives in regional and state government departments and agencies, at non-profit organizations and at trade and professional associations. The 2012 judging panel adds representatives from organizations including the Orlando Utilities Commission, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management, the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation, the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association and the Gated Communities Securities Directors Group.

Winners will be announced at the Annual Florida Communities of Excellence Conference & Awards Ceremony, a free event that includes luncheon, educational sessions, and a gala reception and Awards Ceremony. The 2012 Conference & Awards Ceremony will be held, Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Conference Center in Hollywood.

In addition to "The Comeback Kid," the 2012 Award categories include:

• Financial Innovation (Presented by The Continental Group) -- Policies and procedures to ease the impact of financial burdens during challenging economic times.
  
  
• Disaster Preparedness -- Protecting lives and property, as well as for community restoration in the aftermath of an emergency.
  
  
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ -- Environmentally sound landscape, wetland, preserve, and lake management policies, including Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
  
  
• Energy & Water Conservation (Non-Landscaping) -- Energy and water management and conservation programs.
  
  
• Safety & Security -- Programs to protect and ensure the safety of residents and property within the community.
  
  
• Best Website -- Promoting positive community relations through effective communications.
  
  
• Civic Volunteerism & Advocacy -- Supporting local and regional non-profit and charitable causes.
  
  
• Family Friendly Programs & Initiatives -- Promoting family participation and well-being.
  
  
• Trendsetter Awards (Presented by Associa) -- Innovation in any area not covered in the existing categories.
  
  

The sponsors of the awards program are businesses that are dedicated to the needs of residents of condominiums and homeowner associations. The 2011 sponsors include:

• Diamond-Level: Associa, BB&T Association Services, The Continental Group, Envera Systems.
• Gold-Level: Association Financial Services.
• Silver-Level: Aquatic Systems, BankUnited, The BCH Group, Campbell Property Management, Condominium Concepts Management, Empire Roofing, First Southern Bank, KW Property Management & Consulting, Nord Enterprises.

About The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards

The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the positive and productive initiatives taking place in condominiums, homeowners associations and cooperatives across Florida. Now in its fourth year, the independently judged program enables the top communities in the state to promote their accomplishments and raise their profiles while documenting their success and enabling others to learn from their examples. For more information, please visit www.communitiesofexcellence.net

™Florida-Friendly Landscaping is a Trademark of the University of Florida