California State Parks and Department of Fish and Game Big Winners
In State Information Officers Council Awards Competition

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) May 8, 2003 - California State Parks was the big winner at the State Information Officers Council (SIOC) 2002 awards luncheon. The department, which earned 12 awards overall, was closely followed by the Department of Fish and Game, which received 9 awards. Also honored at the awards luncheon was Patrick Foy of the Department of Fish and Game, who was lauded as Public Information Officer of the Year.

California State Parks received two grand prizes, one for a special report titled "Taking the High Road" and another for its Park Map and Brochure Program. State Parks also received six gold awards and four silver awards. The Department of Fish and Game was awarded one grand prize for an opinion piece on Lake Davis as well as three gold prizes, four silver prizes and an honorable mention.

"Despite continuing budget woes," said Chris Graillat, Awards Chair, "the State's public relations professionals produced some truly outstanding, creative material. The judges were excited to see what a high caliber the entrants were able to achieve, particularly given their limited resources."

Among other top winners were the California Highway Patrol, which received six awards, and the Department of Transportation, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Franchise Tax Board and the Department of Water Resources which garnered four awards each. Winning entries were displayed at the awards luncheon held at Andiamo Restaurant.

The statewide competition, which recognizes excellence in State government communications, drew 140 entries in 9 categories, including audio-visual production, media relations, writing and photography. The annual competition is open to members and nonmembers alike, but the entries must have been produced for a State of California office, commission, department, or agency.

SIOC is a nonprofit, professional organization that meets monthly to discuss trends and developments in government public information. Information on SIOC meetings and membership can be found at http://www.ca-sioc.org.

For a full list of the award-winners, please see the SIOC website at www.ca-sioc.org/awards/2002_awards/.