The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council received the American Coalition for Ethanol Paul Dana Award this year, in recognition of its creative E15 campaign targeting teenage drivers. ACE created the Marketing Vision Award 15 years ago in memory of Indy Racing League driver Paul Dana, who united the ethanol industry and led efforts to promote ethanol in motorsports on a national level. Each year the award is given to an individual, company, or organization exhibiting leadership in promoting the expansion of the availability of higher blends of ethanol to consumers.

“In South Dakota, the driving age is 14. So, that’s very young, very impressionable. They haven’t decided what they’re loyal to yet,” said Amanda Bechen, SD Corn Senior Director of Communications and Marketing.” So what we’ve done is we have placed ads in student newspapers. We’ve also partnered with the Drivers Education program to show them what unleaded 88 is.”

The “It’s Okay to Go Low” campaign focused on what truly resonates with everyday drivers, especially young teens, and that is price. The campaign promoted E15 in partnership with Kwik Trip/Kwik Star and the campaign helped build consumer confidence and drive real demand for E15.

At the ACE Conference in Sioux Falls, Bechen also participated in a panel on State-Led Strategies to Expand Ethanol Use, which included Nebraska Ethanol Board Executive Director Ben Rhodes, who gave an update on their E30 Fuel Demonstration project.

Interview with Amanda Bechen, SD Corn (3:42)
2025 ACE - Higher Blends panel (54:31)

2025 ACE Conference photo album