ACCESS SARASOTA 19
WINS PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Sarasota - Access Sarasota 19 has been recognized by a state professional organization for two video presentations produced by City of Sarasota employees. The Florida Government Communicators Association recently honored Access Sarasota 19 with three awards at its annual conference in Miami Beach.

Stadium Economic Impact, a six-minute video highlighting the impact of Ed Smith Stadium on the local economy, was honored with two awards. It took first place, a Crystal Award, in the “Occasional Video” category. The judges, who are respected members of the communications industry, bestowed special recognition upon Stadium Economic Impact by awarding it a coveted “Judges Award”, signifying excellence while using a limited budget. The video was produced in-house for $1,500, plus staff time. It was created to educate state legislators about the economic impact of Major League spring training games, state baseball tournaments and fantasy baseball camps held at Ed Smith Stadium year round. The video was received so well in Tallahassee, it was shown at public meetings in Sarasota County to explain the community benefit of building a new baseball stadium. The video was written, produced and voiced by Public Information Officer Jan Thornburg. It was edited by Government Access Program Coordinator Miles Larsen, who also videotaped the piece along with John Nopper, the City’s Government Access Production Specialist. Stadium Economic Impact was honored last October by the City, County Communications Association, a national professional organization, with two prestigious awards.

City Life (July-August 2006), a 30-minute magazine show about events and issues within the City of Sarasota, won a first place Crystal Award in the category “Video Series”. The program included stories about the grand opening of Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park, the history of hurricanes in Sarasota, a neighborhood tour of Tahiti Park, the Sarasota Reds and the diva of disco Donna Summer. The program is hosted by Jan Thornburg and produced and shot by Miles Larsen.