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New Mexico PRSA Announces 2022 Cumbre Award Winners

Organization honors four outstanding individuals and 15 entries, including three Best of Show awards

 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Nov. 17, 2021 – The New Mexico Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (NMPRSA) announced the winners of the 2022 Cumbre Awards via a ceremony held on Thursday, Nov. 10 at The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. NMPRSA celebrates the annual Cumbre Awards in recognition of the outstanding public relations campaigns and tactics put forth by New Mexico’s communications professionals.

“We are honored to recognize the work that took place during 2022 as part of this year’s Cumbre Awards,” said NMPRSA president Steve Carr. “The fact that we were able to celebrate these wins, in a year full of challenges, speaks to the caliber of the work executed in 2020 by New Mexico public relations and communications professionals.”

As a result of the pandemic, the organization hosted the first in-person ceremony in nearly two years. The efforts resulted in an opportunity for attendees to network during the happy hour, an awards ceremony hosted by the NMPRSA board and the guest-favorite, raffle of gift baskets.

“We were excited to finally hold an in-person celebration this year and are grateful that we were able to come together in a safe manner and celebrate the communications industry and the work that has taken place within our state,” said Carr. “We look forward to seeing the friendly smiles of our members, again next year.

Modeled after PRSA's Bronze and Silver Anvil Awards, the Cumbres are a highlight of the year for New Mexico's public relations and communications industry. The 22 entries received this year were judged by the PRSA Greater Connecticut against standards set forth by the national PRSA organization and awarded points on a 100-point scale resulting in award categories of Bronze, Silver or Gold, with the highest-scored campaigns and tactics crowned Best of Show.

Top honors within the “Tactics” category went to James Korenchen Public Relations for the “BeWellnm’s Media Relations.” Best of Show within the “Campaigns” category was awarded to PK Public Relations for their “iEl Opio Drama!” campaign and to Sandia National Laboratories for their Safety & Health Month observance. 

Practitioners who went above and beyond in their contributions to our profession and community also received recognition through special individual awards. Recipients’ of 2022 individual awards included:

• James Korenchen, President for James Korenchen Public Relations, received the Lee and Marie Hirst Vista Award for outstanding lifetime achievement within the field of public relations.
• Carey Beam APR, Founder at Eelahas Resource Group, LLC, was honored with the Ted B. Sherwin Member of the Year Award for going the extra mile to support NMPRSA over the past year.
• Kim Baca, CEO and President for KB Consulting, received the Greg Johnston Board Member of the Year Award for going above and beyond in his contributions to the board of directors for 2022.
• Raymond Sandoval, Zozobra Event Chair, received the Jennifer Riordan Community Service Award for his dedication to New Mexico and its future

>> View 2022 Cumbre Awards Photo Gallery <<