We do not chase awards, but 2015 brought two honors at home on the Jersey Shore that meant a lot to our founder, Brian Messenlehner, because they came from the local business and marketing community rather than from the WordPress world.
Jersey's Best Under 40, May 2015
In the spring of 2015, the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association (JSPRAA) and the NJ Ad Club put out a call for nominations to find New Jersey's best marketing and communications professionals under 40. A panel of judges reviewed the applications, looking at professional accomplishments, residency, community involvement and recognitions received. Brian was selected for the Class of 2015, and the inductees were honored at a cocktail reception and induction ceremony on Thursday evening, May 14, 2015, at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.
It was a slightly unusual list for a software developer to land on. Most inductees came from public relations, advertising and marketing agencies. That is part of why it was meaningful: it recognized that building websites, apps and digital platforms had become central to how New Jersey businesses communicate.
The Jack Rein Excellence Award, October 2015
That fall, Brian received the Jack Rein Excellence Award from JSPRAA. The red glass plaque, engraved with his name and the year, was presented in October 2015, the same season as JSPRAA's 40th annual JASPER Awards, which honor communications work across the Jersey Shore. We are sharing the plaque itself above rather than describing the award in our own words.
Why local recognition matters
A lot of AlphaWeb's work is for organizations close to home, including New Jersey counties and municipalities, school districts and local businesses. Being known and trusted by the marketing and communications professionals in our own region matters. They are often the people who bring us into a project, and they are the ones who have to live with the website after launch.
These honors also reflect years of showing up locally: organizing the New Jersey WordPress Meetup, speaking at regional tech events, and helping local organizations move onto WordPress.
Thank you
Thank you to JSPRAA, the NJ Ad Club, the judges, and everyone who took the time to nominate and celebrate the Class of 2015. We are proud to be part of the Jersey Shore business community, and we keep building here.
If you are a New Jersey organization looking for a WordPress partner that knows the region, AlphaWeb would love to hear from you.
At a glance
- May 14, 2015: inducted into the Class of 2015 of Jersey's Best MarCom Professionals Under 40, presented by JSPRAA and the NJ Ad Club, at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township
- October 2015: Jack Rein Excellence Award from JSPRAA
Related: Jersey Shore Tech Panel: How to Launch Better Products, Years of WordPress Meetups in New York and New Jersey and Hoorah Devil Dog, my experience in the United States Marine Corps.
Have a question about this event or a project like the ones mentioned here? Reach out to AlphaWeb and Brian will be glad to talk it through. We are always happy to compare notes on WordPress, mobile apps and migrations.
