OCALA, Fla. – The O
cala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) has been recognized nationally by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), receiving an Award of Excellence in the 2026 Awards for Communications Excellence competition for its Weekly Buzz video series.
The Award of Excellence represents one of only 12 top honors presented nationwide in this year’s competition, recognizing outstanding communications and marketing efforts among chambers of commerce and economic development organizations across the country.
The Weekly Buzz serves as CEP’s signature weekly video update, delivering chamber news, event information, economic development updates, and partner spotlights in a concise, engaging format. Produced entirely in-house, the series has become a cornerstone of CEP’s communications strategy, reaching business leaders and community stakeholders through social media, email newsletters, and partner communications.
The award-winning entry was produced by CEP Visual Media Specialist Noah Paradiso, whose creative vision and production expertise have helped elevate the quality and impact of CEP’s digital communications. Through a blend of studio production, event coverage, interviews, and storytelling, Paradiso has helped transform the Weekly Buzz into one of the organization’s most effective and recognizable
The Weekly Buzz is co-hosted by Tom James and Jessica Gilbert, who together deliver updates on business news, economic development initiatives, partner achievements, and community events. James, one of the original hosts of the series, helped establish the Weekly Buzz as a trusted source of information for CEP partners and the business community, while Gilbert has helped expand its reach and content strategy as part of CEP’s broader communications efforts.
“At CEP, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to keep our partners informed, engaged, and connected to the work happening across the Ocala Metro,” said Matt McCormick, President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. “This recognition reflects not only the strength of our communications strategy but also the talent, creativity, and dedication of the team behind it.”
In their evaluation, ACCE judges praised the series for its consistency, production quality, and effectiveness in showcasing community initiatives.
The Awards for Communications Excellence competition reconizes excellence in chamber communications, marketing, and media initiatives. Entries were reviewed by a panel of 16 chamber marketing and communications professionals representing chambers across the United States.
Of the 12 Award of Excellence recipients, three organizations will be selected as Best in Show winners during ACCE’s Annual Convention in New Orleans this July.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates the work of an incredibly talented in-house team,” said Jessica Gilbert, Vice President of Foundation and Communications for CEP. “Noah’s creativity and production expertise have elevated the Weekly Buzz to a new level, while Tom helped build the foundation that made the program successful from the beginning. It has been a privilege to work alongside both of them each week to share the stories, successes, and opportunities that are shaping the future of the Ocala Metro.”
