Apogee Interactive Clients Win Awards in National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Annual Competition

ATLANTA, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- APOGEE Interactive Inc., an industry-leading provider of online solutions to energy utilities, once again dominated the winners' circle in the Best Website category of this year's Spotlight on Excellence competition hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Council of Rural Electric Communicators.

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The awards were announced at NRECA's Annual Connect Conference in New Orleans, a three-day event attracting marketing and communications professionals from electric cooperatives across the country. Five Apogee clients earned honors for their websites ─ the most award winners posted by a single vendor in the Best Website category.  Apogee held the same distinction at NRECA's 2011 Conference.

Spotlight on Excellence recognizes electric cooperatives for exceptional communication and marketing efforts. The NRECA member websites were judged on criteria such as relevant and concise text, easy navigation, distinctive appearance, and engaging opportunities for visitor interaction.

An award of Excellence was presented to Union Power Cooperative of Monroe, North Carolina www.union-power.com;  Dixie Electric Power Association of Laurel, Mississippi for www.dixieepa.com; Whitewater Valley Rural Electric Membership Cooperative for www.wwvremc.com; Associated Electric Cooperative of Springfield, Missouri for www.takecontrolandsave.coop. Also, Coweta-Fayette EMC out of Palmetto, Georgia took home an award of Merit for their website www.utility.org.

These award winning websites have clean, navigable layouts, with easy access to information and tools aimed at engaging the consumer like Apogee's Home Energy Suite™ with Do-It-Yourself online energy audits and Apogee's Kids Korner, geared toward the next generation of energy consumers.

"We are honored to have so many of our clients receive this well-deserved recognition," said Apogee President and CEO Susan Gilbert, "While our talented and dedicated team of designers and developers plays an important role in the creation of the website, our clients play an equally vital role by expecting excellence for their members. As more people move to the Web for communication, the image members have of their cooperative is increasingly influenced by the impressions and experiences created on their website."

Apogee has designed, built, and hosts more than 250 utility websites nationwide, many earning a variety of industry accolades each year ranging from NRECA to the Public Relations Society of America and American Advertising Federation.

APOGEE Interactive Inc. (www.apogee.net) is a leading provider of online energy efficiency solutions to the utility industry. Founded in 1993, APOGEE's energy analysis applications are currently in use by more than 650 utilities across the US, reaching millions of consumers daily. APOGEE's clients span a wide range of leading investor-owned, public power and cooperative energy companies including Marietta Power & Water, Southern Company (SO), Jackson EMC, Cobb EMC, NOVEC, Con Edison (ED), BGE (CEG), NSTAR (NST), American Electric Power (AEP), Entergy (ETR), the SMUD, TVA, and Salt River Project.

SOURCE APOGEE Interactive Inc.