KENT – Staff from the City of Kent, Seattle Thunderbirds, Kent School District and M.A. Mortenson Company won the Silver Circle Award in the Special Events Category for its “Shoot the Puck” event in late September 2007 that marked the start of construction on the Kent Events Center. 
 

The national award was presented last month at the 20^th Annual Savvy Awards gala held in Incline Village, Nevada, as part of the City County Communications and Marketing Association’s national conference.  
 

Broadcast on live television, the hockey-themed event featured jersey-clad elected officials including Governor Gregoire, Kent’s legislative delegation, Mayor Suzette Cooke and the Kent City Council shooting hockey pucks into a net at the direction of Seattle Thunderbirds mascot, Cool Bird.
 

The Savvy Awards competition recognizes outstanding local government achievements  in communications, public-sector marketing and citizen engagement.  

“With over 850 entries, this is a great testament to the excellence and creativity of our team,” Mayor Suzette Cooke said.  “I’m looking forward to what they come up with for the grand opening.”

The same team is planning the grand opening festivities for the Kent Events Center, slated for January 2, 2009.
 

The City of Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, Washington with a population over 86,000. As a culturally rich destination, Kent’s dynamic quality of life features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks, an exceptional school district, and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing. For more information, visit www.choosekent.com.