Onward NRV Wins SEDC Award for Regional Bus Wrap Marketing Campaign

VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – Onward New River Valley is proud to have received an award from the Southern Economic Development Council through its 2022 Communication Awards Competition. The award was presented for Onward’s “NRV Bus Wrap Project,” and won the Special Judges Award for Creativity.

Onward New River Valley developed and worked with partners to install a Blacksburg Transit (BT) bus wrap to promote the communities of Virginia’s New River Valley as well as the careers available in our region. The BT bus system runs through Blacksburg and Christiansburg and serves Virginia Tech students as well as the larger community.

The “Virginia’s New River Valley” branding initiative has been wildly successful and has effectively enhanced the visibility of our region as a great place to live, work and do business.

The eyecatching NRV Regional branding on the Blacksburg Transit bus.

This project addressed four goals of Onward NRV’s five-year strategy, including working to retain graduates from local colleges, promoting job openings and in-demand careers, promoting the livability story of the region, and cultivating the regional brand for the NRV. The bus wrap design features three taglines, including “Make This Home”, “Find Your Career”, and “Find Your Community”. The inclusion of these three taglines in the project helped market the NRV to Virginia Tech students with the hope that they would consider living and working in the region after graduation.

SEDC

SEDC gives the Communication Awards each year at its annual conference. Over 20 categories of marketing work submitted by SEDC members are evaluated within four division-size levels. The awards are: BEST OF SHOW, BEST OF CLASS, SUPERIOR, EXCELLENT, MERIT, and SPECIAL JUDGES’ AWARDS. Judging criteria for General Entry Awards include Graphic Appeal, Clarity of Message, Quality of Information, Positioning / Differentiation, and Format.

The Southern Economic Development Council is a non-profit membership organization and the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America.

###Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

###Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.