FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwired - Oct 15, 2013) -  The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards today announced that it will honor the state's most outstanding community associations at its annual Conference & Awards Gala in Orlando on May 2, 2014. Submissions for the 2014 Awards are now being accepted online at http://communitiesofexcellence.net/. The entry deadline is Midnight (ET) on January 31, 2014.

Now entering its sixth year, the 2014 program has expanded the number of opportunities for communities to be recognized for their achievements. This year's categories include:

• Financial Innovation - Policies and procedures to ease the impact of financial burdens during challenging economic times.
  
  
• "Comeback Kid" - Recognizing boards, managers, and suppliers who developed and implemented successful turnaround programs by revitalizing distressed properties.
  
  
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ - Environmentally sound landscape, wetland, preserve, and lake management policies, including Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
  
  
• Water Conservation Indoors and Outdoors - Water management and conservation programs.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency - Energy management and conservation programs.
  
  
• Safety & Security - Programs to protect and ensure the safety of residents and property within the community.
  
  
• Disaster Preparedness - Protecting lives and property, as well as for community restoration in the aftermath of an emergency.
  
  
• Communications & Community - Promoting positive community relations through effective use of email, newsletters, social media, Website and other communications.
  
  
• Civic Volunteerism & Advocacy (Presented by Volunteer Florida) - Supporting local and regional non-profit and charitable causes.
  
  
• Family Friendly Programs & Initiatives - Promoting family participation and well-being.
  
  
• Trendsetter Awards - Innovation in any area not covered in the existing categories.
  
  

The annual Conference & Awards Gala will be held from 2:30 PM to 8:30 pm at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando and include educational sessions, trade show, Gala Reception and Awards Banquet. Underwritten by sponsors who support excellence in association management and operations, the event is free for community leaders and association management professionals.

The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards was created by the Florida Community Association Journal, Becker & Poliakoff law firm, and Pen Group Communications. Since 2009, it has involved more than 400,000 residents in hundreds of communities throughout Florida. Entries are judged by a select panel of independent experts chosen from among educators, policy experts, journalists, consultants, public officials and professionals within each industry/category represented. For details on judges, please visit http://communitiesofexcellence.net/judges/

There is no entry fee for participating in the Awards and the entire process is completed at http://communitiesofexcellence.net/entering-the-competition/. Small communities and large communities are judged separately and there is no limit on the number of categories in which a community can compete.

The sponsors of the awards program are businesses and organizations that are dedicated to the needs of residents of Florida condominiums and homeowner associations. The 2012 sponsors include:

• Presenting sponsors: Associa, FirstService Residential, Sentry Management
• Diamond-level: Volunteer Florida
• Gold-Level: Leland Management
• Silver-Level: Aquatic Systems, Devcon Security, Vector Security

About The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards

The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the positive and productive initiatives taking place in condominiums, homeowners associations and cooperatives across Florida. Now in its sixth year, the independently judged program enables the top communities in the state to promote their accomplishments and raise their profiles while documenting their success and enabling others to learn from their examples. For more information, please visit http://communitiesofexcellence.net/

™Florida-Friendly Landscaping is a Trademark of the University of Florida