We need to look at our Virtuoso Awards program at IABC London. In recent years we have observed a steady decline in local project award entries, and this is simply not sustainable. We’ve also been hearing a desire for change to the program from our community. It’s time to do something about what we’re seeing.
We’re taking a purposeful pause: Over the next few months, an ad hoc committee of broad representation from our professional communications community is organizing a strategic and thorough research and input process into our project-based awards program. The committee will be co-chaired by our Director of Awards, Robert DeLaet and former IABC Canada National Awards program co-chair, Julia Oosterman. It is composed of the following professionals:
- Robert DeLaet and Julia Oosterman, co-chairs
- Andrew Kaszowski
- Marek Kubow
- Tori Laird
- Laurie Lashbrook
- Gary Lintern
- Keith Marnoch
- Patti McKague
- Liisa Sheldrick
- Jacqueline Sullivan
- Kelly Ziegner
This committee will engage with a broad base of our IABC London community to gather insight into what the current state of opinions and desires are for project-based recognition. Plain and simple, we’re connecting with you, our stakeholders, to find out what you want so that we can deliver it in the future.
WHAT DOES A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE MEAN?
We can’t, in good faith, admit we need to review our awards program and still ask you to submit local award entries. Therefore, we’re pressing pause on the IABC London project-based awards for the 2019 calendar year. We know this is a bold move and your work still deserves recognition; so we’ll encourage you to enter work from 2018 in the national Silver Leaf program and international Gold Quill awards.
We are not pressing pause on the student awards or Outstanding Communicator Award, which will be recognized at a special celebration event of our chapter’s 40th anniversary in June 2019.
WHEN WE’LL ANNOUNCE THE FUTURE DIRECTION
We will spend a little time reviewing the findings of the ad hoc committee, and then recommended direction will be presented to the IABC London board of directors at its May meeting.
We will reveal the future direction of the IABC London awards program at the 40th anniversary celebration event in June 2019.
We hear you, and we want to hear from you.
Stay tuned for ways to share your feedback on our project-based awards program. You’re the reason IABC London is 40 years strong – and your voice matters to our future success.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to listening and learning from you,
Andrew Kaszowski,
President, IABC London 2018-2019 Board of Directors