On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) received one Gold ADDY and two Silver ADDY Awards at the 2026 American Advertising Awards, Inland Empire competition. GIA was also named a finalist in five additional categories.

Hosted by the Inland Empire chapter of the American Advertising Federation, the awards recognize excellence in creative and digital communications.

Gold ADDY: GIA Website Teaser Video

Category: Branded Content & Entertainment for Online/Interactive
Award: Gold ADDY
Entrant: Growing Inland Achievement
Entry Title: GIA Website Teaser Video
Client: Growing Inland Achievement

GIA earned a Gold ADDY for its Website Teaser Video, a digital introduction that clearly communicates GIA’s regional role and shared vision.

As the Inland Empire’s regional coordinating intermediary for educational attainment and economic mobility, GIA aligns education, employers, community organizations, and government around one shared goal: expanding access to high-quality postsecondary pathways that lead to well-paying careers.

Gold ADDY winners automatically advance to the Western Region competition. GIA’s Website Teaser Video will represent the Inland Empire at the next level.

View the video here: 

Silver ADDY Awards

GIA also received two Silver ADDYs for public service communications that support regional alignment and accountability.

2025 Toward a Shared Vision Report

Category: Public Service Online/Interactive
Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Growing Inland Achievement
Entry Title: 2025 Toward a Shared Vision Report
Client: Growing Inland Achievement

The 2025 Toward a Shared Vision Report captures outcomes and shared commitments from GIA’s annual regional summit, where leaders across K–12, higher education, workforce, business, philanthropy, and government align around measurable progress toward postsecondary attainment and economic mobility.

You can view the report here.

GIA 2030 Strategic Plan

Category: Public Service Online/Interactive
Award: Silver ADDY
Entrant: Growing Inland Achievement
Entry Title: GIA 2030 Strategic Plan
Client: Growing Inland Achievement

The 2030 Strategic Plan outlines the region’s call to action to advance toward 70% of working-age adults earning a postsecondary degree or credential of value. It details how GIA drives progress through its strategy: Convene, Advocate, Invest, and Research, aligning key milestones across the cradle-to-career continuum.

View the Strategic Plan here.

Finalist Recognition

In addition to its awards, GIA was named a finalist in:

Logo Design

• GIA ’25 Branding Logo System

Consumer Website

• Inland Empire Cash for College
• GIA Website Refresh

Public Service Annual Report

• GIA Annual Report 2025

Podcast

• AI and the American Teacher, Education Insight

These recognitions reflect the breadth and quality of GIA’s communications work, from branding and digital platforms to public reporting and media engagement. We are grateful to GIA staff and partners who contributed to these projects and remain focused on advancing educational attainment and economic mobility in the Inland Empire.