We’re pleased to announce that entries are now being accepted for the 2021 IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards. 🎉
In a year like no other, we think your outstanding work deserves some recognition! Don’t you? It is your time to shine.
In a perfect world, your company would pay for your award entries – no questions asked. This year, you might not be so lucky due to our friend COVID-19 and potential budget cuts.
With that in mind, we’ve outlined some pro tips in this blog post to help you make the perfect pitch to your manager!
We’ve also made a variety of resources available to help you put together your entry, such as award-winning examples, templates and an award writing workshop on January 13.
From students to polished professionals, we invite you to submit your best work for industry recognition and feedback, while having it evaluated against the global standard of the communications profession.
Earn the industry endorsed mark of distinction, excellence and honour you deserve. 🏆🏆🏆
Submit your entry by the early-bird deadline on January 22, 2021 and take advantage of discounted entry fees. The final deadline is February 26, 2021.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Clearly state your professional development goals
Let your manager know exactly why you want to submit an entry for the 2021 IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards. Be specific and try to tie it to your role and the key performance indicators in your annual performance review. Be as specific as possible, and demonstrate the true value of this opportunity.
2. Provide background on the prestigious awards program
For more than 35 years, IABC/Toronto has celebrated professionals for their talent and creative brilliance through the prestigious OVATION Awards program.
The IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards program is aligned with the IABC Gold Quill Awards and IABC Canada Silver Leaf Awards, making it easier for you to scale up and submit the same entry across all IABC award programs to gain national and international recognition.
Learn more about #OVATION21
3. Explain the benefits to your company and manager
Like all of us, your manager wants to know: what’s in it for me? Submitting an entry to the 2021 IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards is a unique opportunity to gain industry recognition while having your work evaluated against the global standard of the profession. IABC’s Seven-Point Global Scale of Excellence is the standard by which each entry is scored, creating a level-playing field. Diversity and context are celebrated and understood. Entries do not compete with each other. Rather, entries are scored vis-a-vis the rubrics and standards. Most importantly, you will also learn through the scores and comments of distinguished communicators who have volunteered as judges. Winning an IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards elevates the reputation of your organization and demonstrates the value of strategic communications in meeting and exceeding business goals.
4. Prepare your pitch early!
Don’t wait until the last minute to make the ask to your manager and prepare your award entry. Submit your request as early as possible. This way, you can take advantage of the award writing workshop, our other resources and take the time to put together a well thought out entry.
Before chatting with your manager, be ready to answer questions like: how will this make you more valuable to the company? How will you be more strategic? How can you perform better?
We’ve put together a letter to help you get your manager’s buy-in.
Download it here.
Learn more about why to enter
What if your manager or company says no?
Although you pitched an amazing business case, your manager may still say no to your request. That doesn’t mean you should give up on your ambition to elevate your excellence and seek this professional development opportunity.
Pay for it yourself. We promise, it will pay off. Winning an IABC/Toronto OVATION Award is an industry endorsed mark of distinction, excellence and honour. Make that resume of yours pop!
Submit your entry by the early-bird deadline on January 22, 2021 and take advantage of discounted entry fees.
Learn more about submitting your entry
Don’t forget to take advantage of our resources
Check out the 2021 IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards website and use the resources we’ve made available to help you put together an award-winning entry.
These include:
- Award-winning examples
- Justification letter to send to your manager
- Templates
- Helpful tools and background information
- Award writing workshop on January 13
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
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