By Connor Cheung, Chair, JAG Awards Committee
What a night!
On Wednesday, May 13th, the Jersey Access Group family gathered at the Crowne Plaza in Edison for the 26th Annual JAG Awards Banquet. It was incredible to see so many of our members step out from behind the cameras, put down the clipboards, and finally catch up in person. For a lot of us, it was the first time seeing each other face-to-face in a year, and the room was absolutely buzzing with energy.
This year’s competition was easily one of our toughest yet. We received outstanding entries from 26 different organizations across the state. The sheer variety and quality of the stories being told in our communities right now is amazing. From deeply researched local documentaries and high-production sports broadcasts to crucial town hall updates; the work on display proved that local stations are more vital to our neighborhoods than ever before.
While the competition was fierce, the spirit of the night was all about celebrating our collective hustle. We know the long hours, the frozen football games, the late-night council meetings, and the endless editing sessions that go into making these productions happen. Seeing those clips up on the big screen with everyone cheering each other on was a great reminder of why we do what we do.
Before we officially close the book on the 2026 awards, we want to extend a massive thank you to the JAG Awards Committee—Elio, George, Dave, and Valerie—for the countless hours they spent behind the scenes coordinating the judging, scores, and logistics. We also want to thank Bob Duthaler and the entire JAG Board for putting together another fantastic conference kickoff.
To everyone who entered, congratulations. Whether you took home a first-place trophy or placed in the top three of a highly competitive category, you are doing incredible work for your community.
The full list of winners will be available on the JAG website. Have a great summer, keep telling those stories, and we can’t wait to see what you produce for next year’s awards!
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Celebrating local excellence: A look back at the 2026 JAG Awards Banquet
Posted: May 26, 2026 by Doug Seidel
By Connor Cheung, Chair, JAG Awards Committee
What a night!
On Wednesday, May 13th, the Jersey Access Group family gathered at the Crowne Plaza in Edison for the 26th Annual JAG Awards Banquet. It was incredible to see so many of our members step out from behind the cameras, put down the clipboards, and finally catch up in person. For a lot of us, it was the first time seeing each other face-to-face in a year, and the room was absolutely buzzing with energy.
This year’s competition was easily one of our toughest yet. We received outstanding entries from 26 different organizations across the state. The sheer variety and quality of the stories being told in our communities right now is amazing. From deeply researched local documentaries and high-production sports broadcasts to crucial town hall updates; the work on display proved that local stations are more vital to our neighborhoods than ever before.
While the competition was fierce, the spirit of the night was all about celebrating our collective hustle. We know the long hours, the frozen football games, the late-night council meetings, and the endless editing sessions that go into making these productions happen. Seeing those clips up on the big screen with everyone cheering each other on was a great reminder of why we do what we do.
Before we officially close the book on the 2026 awards, we want to extend a massive thank you to the JAG Awards Committee—Elio, George, Dave, and Valerie—for the countless hours they spent behind the scenes coordinating the judging, scores, and logistics. We also want to thank Bob Duthaler and the entire JAG Board for putting together another fantastic conference kickoff.
To everyone who entered, congratulations. Whether you took home a first-place trophy or placed in the top three of a highly competitive category, you are doing incredible work for your community.
The full list of winners will be available on the JAG website. Have a great summer, keep telling those stories, and we can’t wait to see what you produce for next year’s awards!
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Category: Conference Reviews