- June 27, 2025
City of McAllen Office of Communications Wins at Statewide Industry Awards Ceremony
TAMI Awards highlights best of municipal information communication work
The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO), a division of the Texas Municipal League (TML), announced the 2025 winners of its state-wide TAMI Awards Competition during a ceremony at the 51st annual conference held earlier this month in Fort Worth. The City of McAllen Office of Communications earned a total of five awards across various categories, recognizing excellence in digital media, strategic outreach, and storytelling.
- Social Media — Best Campaign (Unplanned)
Award of Excellence for Going for Gold!, highlighting Shaine Casas’ Olympic journey - Communications Planning — Undeserved Audiences Outreach/Campaign
Award of Honor for the International Firefighting Exchange Program which aimed to share critical expertise and build strong partnerships that extend beyond borders. - Best Use of Photography
Award of Honor for McAllen’s Firefighter Cadet Training, a photo series capturing the dedication, intensity, and teamwork of firefighter cadets during hands-on drills and exercises. - Internal Communications
Award of Honor for McAllen Fire Cadet Class 23, which follows the academy from day one as new cadets learn what it means to be a firefighter, up to graduation. Each cadet was also featured, providing a message to their families and mentors. - Video – Special or One-Time Program
Award of Honor for Strength in Partnership, that highlighted McAllen’s response and help in restoring clean water to the Laredo community during a significant cross-contamination in the public water system.
“Our Office of Communications continues to raise the bar,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “Their creativity, and dedication to public service helps ensure our residents are well informed, engaged, and proud to call McAllen home.”
TAMIO was developed as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. When organized in 1974, only a handful of Texas cities employed professional communications staffs. Today, TAMIO has a growing number of public information/public relation specialists serving small communities as well as urban centers throughout the state. This allows cities to exchange information and ideas. which provides professional development for their public information and communications managers.
“These awards reflect the high standard we hold ourselves to in McAllen,” said McAllen City Manager Isaac J. Tawil. “Our communications team doesn’t just inform the public – they tell our
story with purpose, pride, and professionalism. Their work makes a difference in how our community sees and understand our city,” Tawil concluded.
City of McAllen Office of Communications Director Xochitl Mora serves as a board member within TAMIO, representing Region 7 in the organization, which runs from just north and west of San Antonio down to Laredo and all of the Rio Grande Valley.
McAllen was well-represented at this year’s conference, with Mora participating on a panel called “Inside PEG: Navigating PEG Channel Management,” where PEG Channel managers discussed the diverse approaches to managing PEG (Public, Educational, and Government) channels. While also sharing insights from small and large municipalities which explored how budget constraints, programming requirements, and operational structures shape their strategies for delivering high-quality content to their communities.
Additionally, McAllen City Attorney Austin Stevenson led a session discussing the federal ruling regarding accessibility for municipal government across all digital platforms.
“Registering for TAMIO is an investment in your city, because every communicator gains a return by building their skills and connecting with vendors to strengthen their city’s communication efforts,” said TAMIO President Molly Fox. “With more than 600 members, TAMIO continues to be a vital resource for municipal communicators, helping them better inform, engage, and serve their communities.”
PHOTOS
Best Use of Photography
McAllen’s Firefighter Cadet Training
https://tami.awardsplatform.com/gallery/mERNPdgd/PgLryJLq?search=e902c6311cab7895-1
SOCIAL MEDIA
Best Social Media Campaign (Unplanned)
Going for Gold! – Honoring Shaine Casas’ Olympic Journey
https://tami.awardsplatform.com/gallery/mERNPdgd/kJQpelZV?search=8c765cf36d931b40-7
VIDEOS
Special or One-Time Program
Strength in Partnership: McAllen Recognized for Response to Laredo’s Water Crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvGiMMZ0_aY
Communications Planning – Underserved Audiences Outreach/Campaign
International Firefighter Exchange Program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKkzlkGDtZs
Internal Communications
McAllen Fire Department Cadet Class 23-Alpha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toe3ut1Dncg