The National Association of Development Organizations is pleased to launch the 2018 NADO Photo Contest, taking place August 6 – September 7, 2018.  The contest is an opportunity for our member organizations to tell the story of their regions through images that capture the people and places that make their communities wonderful places to live, work, and play.  Last year member organizations submitted over 150 images!

Photos submitted by staff from our member organizations will be judged in five categories:  Building Vibrant Places, Strengthening the Built and Natural Environments, Investing in our Regional Economy, and Sustaining our Communities.  Winners and runners-up will be decided in these four categories, as well as a “People’s Choice” winner that will be selected by public votes through our Facebook (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/NADO NULL.org) page.

We’re looking for creative, engaging, and exciting photos that showcase your region in the following categories:

• Building Vibrant Places
  Main Streets
  Public Spaces
  Historic Preservation/Heritage
  Creative Communities – Arts/Culture

• Strengthening the Built and Natural Environments
  Landscapes/Natural Environment
  Transportation/Infrastructure
  Disaster Preparedness/Recovery
  Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Projects

• Investing in our Regional Economy
  Workforce Development
  Small Business Support
  Entrepreneurship
  Economic Diversification Strategies
  Local Food Systems

• Sustaining our Communities
  Health and Human Services
  Housing
  Seniors / Aging in Place
  Youth

Check out last year’s photos for some inspiration! (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/pg/NADO NULL.org/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1383765785025644)

All photos submitted will be shown in a slide show at the 2018 NADO Annual Training Conference in Charlotte, NC (October 13 – 16) and may be used in NADO and NADO Research Foundation publications and on the NADO website and social media platforms.

Photo Contest Rules:

– The photo contest is open from August 6 to September 7, 2018 (closing at 11:59 PM Pacific)
– The contest is open only to NADO member organizations and must have been taken by staff
– Each NADO member organization can submit up to 2 photos per category, for a maximum of 8 photos
– Photos must have been taken within the past two years and not previously submitted to the NADO Photo Contest
– NADO member organizations must receive consent from identifiable persons in photos, if applicable
– Photos may not be edited using a filter or photo shopping tool

How to Submit Photos:

– All photos must be submitted digitally and accompanied by an entry form (click here)
– Photos from both digital cameras and high-resolution smart phones will be accepted
– E-mail your photos and entry form to Brett Schwartz at [email protected] (bschwartz null@null nado NULL.org).  In the subject line, write “NADO Photo Contest Submission – [YOUR ORGANIZATION].”  If the files are too big, you can opt to submit via DropBox (https://www NULL.dropbox NULL.com/home)to [email protected] (bschwartz null@null nado NULL.org).

Judging and Prizes:

Photos will be judged on creativity, composition, impression, and overall artistic merit as it relates to each category.

Winning organizations in each of the four categories as well as the People’s Choice will each receive a $100 AMEX gift card.

Questions:

Please direct any questions to NADO Research Foundation Associate Director Brett Schwartz [email protected] (bschwartz null@null nado NULL.org).