31st Excellence in the Media Awards, Newsmaker of the Year dinner returns with in-person event

The Press Club of Southeast Texas celebrated its member's work and the newsmaker of the year in-person after two years of virtual events due to the pandemic.

This year's event, with a sold-out crowd of 200, was a far cry from the 2021 virtual event that was streamed from the offices of The Examiner. Less than four members were in the room last year.

This year the 2022 awards ceremony was held back in its usual home in the ballroom of the MCM Elegante hotel on Friday night, June 3.

The awards dinner was videotaped and we will post a copy here once it is ready.

MORE | Complete list of winners

Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton was announced as this year's Newsmaker of the Year.

The four other Newsmaker of the Year finalists honored throughout the evening included David Green, Jr., Georgine Guillory, Judith Smith and Jaime R. Taylor. 

The winner was selected by popular vote among the club's members.

Hundreds of winners were collectively honored with 225 awards announced throughout Friday evening.

A total of 566 entries were received for this year's contest which featured 77 individual categories.

Seventy-four first-place trophies were awarded along with 64 second place, 54 third place and 33 honorable mention certificates.

A complete winner's list is available HERE.