The Skills Contest is conducted annually by the AASHTO Subcommittee on Transportation Communication to recognize the outstanding work of its public relations practitioners and facilitate an exchange of ideas. The contest is considered the premier competition in the transportation industry and the awards have become a standard of public relations excellence amongst state departments of transportation. Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning, production, execution, and evaluation of results and budget.

Skills Contest Divisions and Categories

Divsion 1: Excel​ Awards
With a Consultant - Virginia
Without a Consultant - Arizona

Division 2: Publications (Print and Electronic)

Newsletter: Internal - Florida
Newsletter: External - Arkansas
Annual Reports - Pennsylvania
Best of the Rest - District of Columbia

Division 3: Advertising
TV Commercial or PSA with a Consultant - South Dakota
TV Commercial or PSA without a Consultant - Arizona
Radio Advertisement with or without a Consultant- Illinois
Indoor Outdoor Advertising - Wisconson
Ads, Print and Electronic - Pennsylvania

Division 4: Special Events​
Transportation Events - Tennessee
Public Awareness Events - Florida

Division 5: Video Production
Internal (in-house only) - No Entries
External (in-house only) - Pennsylvania

Division 6: Writing
News Release - Maryland
Published Article with a DOT Byline - New Hampshire

Division 7: Issues/Crisis Management Communication
Crisis Management Communication - Arizona
Public Involvement Approach - Iowa

Division 8: Graphic Design
Logo - Iowa
illustration - Virginia
Photo (taken by DOT employee) - Washington
Display - Arizona
Info-graphics - Washington
Interactive Presentation- California

Division 9: Website/Technology
Website/Internet with Consultant - District of Columbia
Website/Internet without Consultant - Texas 
Mobile Web Application - Wisconsin

Division 10: Social Media (New)
Best Micro-Blog - Arizona
Best Use of Single Social Media Platform - North Carolina
Best Use of Social Media in a Campaign - Arizona
Best Blog - New Hampshire
Best Video Channel - No Entries

Division 11: Individual Awards

Public Relations Professional of the Year - Cherice Ogg, Iowa 
Founder's Award - No Entries
Special Recognition Award - No Entries​