The Hatcher Group won Best in Show and Tracy Imm was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual PRSA Maryland “Best in Maryland” gala held April 19 at the Arundel Preserve in Hanover.

The Hatcher Group award was for its “Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Launch Event” campaign entered in the “less than 7 day events and observances” category.

National Heritage Areas are created by Congress through federal law to promote the conservation of natural, cultural, and historic resources that combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. To launch the recently designated Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, Hatcher created a comprehensive brand strategy, executed an engaging launch event, and developed messaging and materials to tell the full story of the region’s rich and complex heritage “freedoms gained, freedoms lost, and freedoms fought for” in a compelling, authentic way.

“The Hatcher Group was thrilled to partner with Lucille Walker, executive director of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, to execute her vision of this important event,” Amy Buckley, partner, The Hatcher Group, said in a statement. “The cross-functional team supporting this project included event experts, award-winning designers, digital media strategists, skilled multimedia producers, and public relations professionals with subject matter expertise in areas where we are so passionate: equity and opportunity, education, and the environment. Our collaboration on this event allowed us to tap into the full suite of Hatcher’s capabilities and innovative ideas to create a brand for the heritage area, develop a strategy for the launch experience, and deliver a memorable, meaningful, and impactful event.”

Multiple “Best in Maryland” and “Award of Excellence” award winners included Crosby Marketing Communications, a Capitol Communicator sponsor, Maryland Public Television, Montgomery Parks, Abel Communications, Devaney and Associates, Coyle Studios and Planit. Capitol Communicator will update this story as additional awards information becomes available.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized by the PRSA Maryland Chapter and thrilled that our work with Sheetz and Minute Rice, top food brands, was honored by our peers,” said Matt Doud, president and co-founder of Planit. “These awards reflect the drive, dedication and passion our team brings to the table every day for each of our clients.”

Serving as emcee for the evening was Allison Seymour, news anchor with Washington, D.C., CBS affiliate WUSA-9.

Jeffrey Davis, three-time PRSA Maryland president and regional editor of Capitol Communicator, nominated and introduced Tracy Imm as the Lifetime Achievement award winner: “Above all, Tracy is a connector,” Davis said. “Tracy brings together people, processes, and systems to lead strategic business and organizational transformations. An accomplished senior leader and executive coach, she has mentored high-performing teams, consistently exceeding expected business impact during complex, technology-driven changes.

“With an impressive background spanning communications, change management, marketing, and business development, Tracy holds advanced degrees and industry certifications,” said Davis, head of PR company J. Davis Public Relations. “She also shares her expertise as an adjunct faculty member at McDaniel College, continuing to shape the next generation of public relations leaders.”

“This award is a culmination of years of dedication to the public relations and leadership fields,” Imm said. “I am immensely grateful to my mentors, colleagues, and clients who have enriched this journey. Let’s continue to strive for excellence and make a positive impact together.”

PRSA’s Rising Star Award recognizes an outstanding public relations professional who has 5 or fewer years of experience. Winner Katherine Bishop with Devaney and Associates graduated from Towson University in 2022 with a B.S. in Mass Communications: Strategic Public Relations and joined Devaney and Associates as a full-time PR associate in early 2023. Devaney and Associates president and founder, Diane Devaney, shared that Bishop “hit the ground running and with, what the team at D and A call the, ‘roll up your sleeves and get it done’ work ethic.”

“She actively participates in industry conferences, workshops, training programs, and various networking events to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in PR,” Devaney wrote. “She places high value on mentorship and, because of this, has stepped up to oversee D and A’s PR internship program, bringing a load of fresh ideas and perspectives to not only keep D and A’s interns engaged but ensure they leave their internship behind with a portfolio of work they can call their own, and a sense of accomplishment and pride.”

Main image, copyright Coyle Studios, left to right, PRSA Maryland members Lisa Coster, Jeffrey Davis, Lifetime Achievement Winner Tracy Imm, Dorothy Fuchs