Pictured above are L-R: Allison Duke, Leigh G. Krehling, and Robin Smith
Opelika, Ala. —The City of Opelika is proud to announce that several Community Relations team members received prestigious awards at regional and national conferences last month.
The City of Opelika Community Relations team was recently recognized and honored at the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Conference with a Savvy Award of Excellence. The Savvy awards have represented the best in government communications for more than 30 years. The team received the award for their work with the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 First in Alabama Campaign for effectively engaging the community and elevating the communications profession.
In addition to this national award, the Opelika Police Department Community Relations team earned significant regional recognition at the 2026 Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) Conference, highlighting excellence in communications and leadership.
They were recognized with an Award of Merit in the Lantern Awards competition for the 2023-2024 Opelika Police Department Annual Report, celebrating outstanding design, transparency, and strategic public communication.
In addition, Allison Duke, Community Relations Administrator for the Opelika Police Department, was honored as one of the 2026 Senior Practitioners representing the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) East Alabama Chapter, recognizing her extensive expertise and professional leadership in public relations.
““What makes these recognitions especially meaningful is the variety of stories our Community Relations team gets to tell,” said Mayor Eddie Smith. “From honoring the heroes of 9/11 through the Tunnel to Towers campaign and showcasing the work of the Opelika Police Department in its annual report, each project serves a different purpose. What connects them all is a commitment to telling Opelika’s story well, keeping our community informed and representing our city with professionalism and creativity. I’m proud of this team and the work they do every day.”
The City of Opelika congratulates each team member – Leigh G. Krehling, Robin Smith, Allison Duke and Amanda Burgett – for their outstanding contributions and continued excellence in public service communications.
