Why You Should Attend Our Free Virtual Program: A Roadmap for the Marketing Communication Awards
By Shannon Daggett
For next week’s FREE virtual Market Share program “A Roadmap for the MCA’s,” our panelists and chapter volunteers held a preparation meeting to brainstorm topics to cover. One of our panelists, Anna Black, shared a saying that hit home for us when it comes to submitting our own work products for award recognition.
“The shoemaker’s children go barefoot.”
As A/E/C marketers, many of us are tasked in our day-to-day jobs to write award submittals and package them with images and relevant documentation on behalf of the technical staff, be it project-related or individual recognition. But how many of us allocate even a small portion of our time to championing our own work and accomplishments?
Collectively we need to change this. Our chapter has its own Topaz Awards that is closely aligned with SMPS Headquarters to make the submittal process as straightforward as possible. We are also partnering with the Sacramento chapter in hosting the event for the first time this year.
Why You Should Attend (Even If You Don’t Plan to Submit)
Our chapter is sponsoring “A Roadmap for the MCA’s” on Wednesday, March 6, at noon for members and nonmembers alike to hear from peers who have submitted and sometimes won or have been a judge for the Marketing Communication Awards (MCAs).
Our aim is to demystify the process for submitting to the Topaz and Headquarters programs and to encourage all of you to submit. However, you don’t need to be committed to submit this year to attend. Hearing from the panelists will help motivate you to get the wheels turning for next year, perhaps, or the year after. Winning an award feels great, but it also has benefits that pay it forward for the marketing teams and their respective firms, our own personal resumes, and, most importantly, our profession.
Some of the Questions Our Panelists Aim to Answer
Our panelists include Anna Black, National Communications Director at W.E. O’Neil Construction; Chris Tejada, CPSM, Marketing & Business Development Manager at Capital Engineering; Maryal Peter, an A/E/C marketing consultant who has held positions ranging from intern to urban designer to marketing director; and Marilynn Stratton, Chief Marketing Officer at Kier + Wright. You can read more about them HERE.
Our panelists have a lot to say about best practices and tips for deciding what to submit for and putting together a winning submission, along with the common pitfalls in submissions that are unsuccessful, and how to convince your company why it’s important to submit for a marketing professional award.
Here are some questions our panelists plan to answer during the virtual program next week:
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Are there any specific trends or emerging themes in marketing / communications that you've noticed in recent submissions or winners?
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Can you provide examples of past award-winning campaigns that stood out for their innovation or effectiveness?
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What are some common mistakes or pitfalls that applicants should avoid when preparing their submissions?
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Can you speak to the benefits or advantages for companies or individuals who win these awards in terms of industry recognition or business outcomes?
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Could you elaborate on the judging criteria used to evaluate submissions, particularly in terms of creativity, impact, and strategic alignment with marketing objectives?
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What level of detail or documentation is typically expected in submissions, and how do you recommend applicants effectively convey the story and results of their campaigns?
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How do you balance the need for creativity and innovation with the requirement for measurable results or ROI in evaluating submissions?
If you have questions you would like to add, feel free to ask during the program or you can email your questions in advance to [email protected].
