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Associations are rightly proud of their member communications: Magazines, newsletters and websites represent the value of membership in the organization, while also sharing important industry news and professional development education with members. But, while we may tend to view member communication vehicles simply as tools of the association, they are also stars in their own right; they are the objects that represent your association, with which people interact and spend their valuable time. Most of us enjoy the small pleasures of opening a new magazine, clicking through a recent e-newsletter or visiting a well-designed website, and these are just a few of the categories that association communications awards recognize.<\/p>\n
Winning an association award for your association\u2019s communications brings not only the attention and respect of other associations; it is another way of providing value to your members. Michelle Legault, executive director of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, whose quarterly magazine Landscapes | Paysages<\/em> has won two gold and three silver EXCEL awards from Association Media & Publishing, notes that members have responded to the awards with pride in their association and gratitude to their editorial board and Naylor for the productive partnership.<\/p>\n \u201c[The awards are] very important,\u201d says Legault. \u201cThey legitimize the publication, give us a platform for it, and further define it as a quality, important and main communication vehicle for the society.\u201d<\/p>\n The CSLA circulates a press release announcing their win, posts the news and details of the win on its website, and shares the win broadly through its social media channels, all of which keep the association and its magazine top of mind for members and the public.<\/p>\n Another competition is sponsored by Association TRENDS, which celebrates the best and most unique communications and marketing work in its annual Association TRENDS All Media Contest. With 23 categories to choose from, any association is sure to find a fit for its communications vehicles.<\/p>\n Another significant competition is sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The Power of A Awards are the premier program honoring associations that exemplify how the association industry and professionals are essential to a stronger America and world. While The Power of A Awards aren\u2019t limited solely to communications, strong association magazines can be contenders in any of the five awards\u2019 categories.<\/p>\n ASAE also sponsors the Gold Circle Awards, which recognize extraordinary marketing, membership, and communications efforts in 15 different categories that move associations forward.<\/p>\n Outside of the association world, competitions such as the MarCom Awards honor excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals. Prevention Strategist<\/em>, the magazine of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, was recently honored with a Gold award. \u201cAPIC is thrilled to receive this recognition,\u201d said Rickey Dana, Associate Director, Communications at APIC. \u201cWe strive to provide our members with quality content that they can use in their patient safety work.\u201d<\/p>\n Consider which competition is the best fit for your association and from which organization you\u2019d like recognition. Has your publication recently had a redesign? Are you rolling out a new communications program? Has your communications vehicle performed beyond your expectations? Did you publish an issue of your magazine that got all your members talking? All of these factors can be considered when choosing a competition to enter. Connect with your Naylor content strategist to discuss if your publication might be award-ready, or how to make it so.<\/p>\n Entering your association\u2019s publications in an awards competition is usually a simple process of completing an application, providing some documentation and paying an entry fee. Budget some time for preparing the entry forms and some dollars for the entry fees. Make sure to mark the submission due dates on your calendar: Some competitions offer a reduced entry fee for \u201cearly bird\u201d submissions, which may result in some savings to the organization if you are entering several.<\/p>\n Your association publications are the stars of your member communications strategy. Celebrate them by entering one or more of the many competitions that recognize their value to your association and your members.<\/p>\n Association Media & Publishing<\/td>\n Member: $125 Regular Deadline \u2013 January 1 to February 18, 2019:<\/p>\n Member: $160 Extended Deadline\u00a0\u2013 February 19 to March 1, 2019:<\/p>\n Member: $210 October 31, 2018 by 11:59 pm EDT<\/p>\n Early Bird Entry Fee:<\/p>\n $95.00 per entry<\/p>\n Late Entry Deadline:<\/p>\n December 10, 2018 by 11:59 pm ED<\/p>\n Late Entry Fee:<\/p>\n $135.00 per entry<\/td>\n ASAE<\/td>\n Association management companies that submit applications on behalf of their association clients<\/p>\n Industry partners that undertake initiatives in coordination with associations<\/td>\n The cost to submit an application is $50.<\/td>\n ASAE<\/td>\n Open to those who are members of ASAE for Association Leadership as well as non-member.<\/td>\n Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals<\/td>\n <\/p>\nWhat Association Awards Contests Should My Association Enter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"EXCEL](\"https:\/\/www.naylor.com\/associationadviser\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/10\/Landscpaes-Paysages-Excel-Award-182x300.jpg\")
There are many awards contests for which association communications are eligible. One is Association Media & Publishing\u2019s EXCEL Awards. The EXCEL awards recognize excellence and leadership in nonprofit association media, publishing, marketing and communications. The competition is open to nonprofit organizations and for-profit industry service partners submitting on behalf of association clients, regardless of whether they are members of Association Media & Publishing.<\/p>\nHow Does My Association Enter an Awards Competition?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n Competition & sponsor<\/strong><\/td>\n Website<\/strong><\/td>\n Eligibility<\/strong><\/td>\n Entry Dates & Fees<\/strong><\/td>\n Categories<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n EXCEL Awards<\/p>\n www.siia.net\/amp\/Events-Awards\/EXCEL-Awards<\/a><\/td>\n Open to all 501(c) nonprofit organizations and their service partners, regardless of membership status in AM&P.<\/td>\n Early Bird \u2013 October 1 to December 31, 2018:<\/p>\n
\nNonmember: $325<\/p>\n
\nNonmember: $350<\/p>\n
\nNonmember: $395<\/td>\nDigital Media
\nMagazines
\nJournals
\nNewsletters
\nNewspapers
\nBooks
\nPromotional Content<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Association TRENDS<\/td>\n www.associationtrends.com\/all-media-contest\/#about<\/a><\/td>\n Items produced by or for national, regional, state and local associations and nonprofits between November 1, 2017 and November 30, 2018. Eligible organization types include associations, professional societies and nonprofits.<\/td>\n Early Bird Deadline:<\/p>\n Advertising Kit
\nAnnual or Quarterly Magazine or Journal
\nAnnual Report
\nBest Advocacy Campaign
\nBest New App
\nBook\/Manual\/Catalog
\nCD, Video, Podcast or PSA
\nCommemoration\/Tribute
\nConvention Program
\nConvention Promotion Package
\nDaily or Weekly Communication
\nDirect Marketing Piece\/Promotion
\neLearning & Live Training
\nExhibitor Sales Kit
\nMembership Promotion Kit or Campaign
\nMonthly Newsletter or Communication
\nMonthly Professional Society Magazine
\nMonthly Trade Association Magazine
\nMost Improved Magazine or Journal
\nPromotional Items
\nScholarly\/Technical\/Scientific Journal
\nSocial Media
\nWebsites<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Power of A Awards<\/p>\n www.thepowerofa.org\/awards\/<\/a><\/td>\n Associations of all types<\/p>\n 2019 competition dates not yet announced<\/p>\n The Power to Prepare for the Future (open to all)<\/em>
\nThe Power to Make a Better World (open to international associations and U.S.-based associations engaged in international activities)<\/em>
\nThe Power to Innovate (open to all)<\/em>
\nThe Power to Create a Competitive Workforce (open to all)<\/em>
\nThe Power to Enrich Lives (open to all)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Gold Circle Awards<\/p>\n https:\/\/asae-goldcircle.secure-platform.com\/a\/<\/a><\/td>\n Open to all 501(c) nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n The 2019 Gold Circle Awards application period will open December 18, 2018 and close on February 6, 2019.<\/td>\n Advocacy Campaign
\nConvention\/Meetings Marketing Campaign
\nE-Magazine
\nE-Newsletter
\nMedia\/Public Relations Campaign
\nMember Retention Campaign
\nMembership Dues\/Restructuring Campaign
\nMembership Recruitment Campaign
\nMember\/Volunteer\/Engagement Campaign
\nNew Product\/Service Launch Campaign
\nPrint Magazine
\nRebranding Campaign
\nSponsorship\/Exhibits\/Advertising Campaign
\nVideo
\nWebsite\/App<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n MarCom Awards<\/p>\n https:\/\/marcomawards.com\/<\/a><\/td>\n Open to all individuals, companies and organizations involved in producing any marketing and communication materials for external or internal audiences.<\/td>\n October 2019<\/td>\n Print Media
\nPublications
\nPrint Creativity
\nStrategic Communications
\nDigital Media
\nWeb Creativity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.naylor.com\/associationadviser\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/10\/Andrea-headshot.png\")
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