Community Excellence Award Race for the Cup

About the Award

The League recognizes innovative solutions through the peer-nominated Community Excellence Award, a spirited competition we affectionately call “The Race for the Cup.”

Last year we transitioned to a less formal "elevator pitch" style presentation for initial entries at the regional level. This makes the competition more accessible and easier for everyone to participate without a lot of time, expense, and expertise required. It also limits unforeseen technical difficulties at all the various meeting locations.

The seven region finalists will go on to the final round at the League's Annual Convention. That's where they’ll get to pull out all the stops for the kind of high-quality, entertaining production that's become such a highlight of the Annual Convention.
Remember, giving a five minute, “elevator pitch” style presentation at your Regional Roundtable is the ONLY way to enter!

How it Works

Competitors are given five minutes to present at their respective Regional Roundtable, held during the Capital Conference in Lansing. Following the presentations, the seminar attendees vote and the winner (for that region) is announced.

The seven region finalists go on to represent their communities in the final round at the League’s Annual Convention, where votes from every attendee are counted, and the winner is announced at the Convention’s final event.

Does Your Community Have What it Takes?

Enter your community in the Race for the Cup if you answer YES to the following questions:
- Does your community have an innovative local success story, program, or project?
- Did this project have a positive impact on your community?
- Could another community adapt this project to meet a similar challenge?

Looking for inspiration? Click here to see slideshows and videos from past CEA presentations.

Congratulations to the 2013 CEA Region Finalists:

The 2013 Regional Finalists at the Michigan Municipal League’s Capital Conference.

See below for more caption details.

Left to right:

Region 1: Shiawassee River Heritage Trail work - Linden Mayor David Lossing

Region 6: Placemaking efforts - Rogers City Manager Mark Slown

Region 3: Community garden project- Belding Councilmember Andrea Belding

Region 4: Community Showcase program - DeWitt City Manager Daniel Coss

Region 5: SEED Economic Gardening effort - Imlay City Mayor Margaret Guerrero

Region 2: Silver Beach Development Project - St. Joseph Mayor Robert Judd

Region 7: Depot Park revitalization - Ironwood Mayor Kim Corcoran