2021 AWC Clarion Awards Open for Entries

 

The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) Clarion Awards are open for entries today, January 14, 2021! Take a look at what you’ve done in the past year and take a step toward gaining the recognition you deserve by entering our prestigious awards program. Don’t think you haven’t done something important and award-worthy this past year, because you have!

The AWC Clarion Awards are open to all communication professionals and students – you don’t have to be a woman or an AWC member to enter, so tell your co-workers and other communication professionals about this opportunity.

Communication is vital to every organization, but many of us work alone in an organization where everyone else is focused on a different profession. An AWC Clarion Award can enhance the respect you get from your co-workers, add validation to your resume and LinkedIn profile, and even raise your own profile in your community!

Category Changes

At least half of your entry must have been published, broadcast, or implemented between 1/1/2020 and 12/31/2020—and what a year that was! In recognition that many of our projects did not go as planned due to the pandemic, we have added or modified some categories.

Public Relations

The Public Relations category has been altered for 2021 in recognition of how COVID-19 affected your Community Relations and Crisis Communications in 2020. See Categories 67 and 68 under the Categories tab at www.womcom.org/clarions. Each offers a COVID-19-related and a non-COVID-19 related subcategory.

Special Events

We’ve added new subcategories in the Special Events Category that reflect the circumstances of 2020:

  • 81a. Best Special Event that never happened.
  • 81b. Best Special Event that went virtual
  • 81c. Best Special Event that happened (with changes)
  • 81d. Best Special Event that happened as planned.

New Social Media Categories

Up until now, social media has been relegated to other categories such as public relations or advertising where it plays a role in a campaign. This year we will start recognizing social media as a separate effort in the following categories:

  • 76. Best Overall Social Media Content – Business
  • 77. Best Overall Social Media Content – Non-profit
  • 78. Best Social Media Channel
  • 79. Best Influencer Communication

How Do You Enter the AWC Clarion Awards?

Clarion Award entries are all online at https://www.womcom.org/clarions. Each entry is judged on its own merit by a jury of experienced professional communicators. Our website has some great tips on creating a winning entry and there’s an FAQ too!

Early Bird Registration

Choose what you want to enter now and you can take advantage of the Early Bird Registration discount with levels for members and non-members! This perk goes to people who register, pay their fees, and start their entry before the Early Bird Deadline of March 9, 2021. You will have until the final deadline of April 12, 2021 to complete and submit your entry.

AWC members get a discount on regular registrations no matter when they enter and an additional Early Bird discount – a double way to save. We encourage all AWC members to begin their entry during the Early Bird discount period which ends March 9.

Discount for Multiple Entries

Do you have more than one project you’d like to enter? Bring it on! We’ll give you an additional discount on multiple registrations from the same organization or individual!

When Will Winners Be Notified?

Expect the announcement of 2021 AWC Clarion Awards winners in July. We’ll recognize winners in a ceremony at our AWC National Conference scheduled for November 11-13, 2021 in Bloomington, Illinois.

Congratulations on This Significant Step in Your Career!

Win or not, the act of entering a national prestigious awards program is a significant step in your career development. The fact that you have read this article means that you are thinking “Yes, I am a communications professional and I could win recognition on a national level.” Completing an entry gives you a chance to analyze your own work and discover your strengths and weaknesses. It may raise some issues that you hadn’t considered before. It will help you become a more well-rounded professional. So, congratulations and good luck on your AWC Clarion Award entry!


About the Author

Peggy Fleming is Director of Communication and Engagement at West Bank in West Des Moines, Iowa. A member of the Association for Women in Communications, she currently serves on the AWC National Board of Directors and on the board of her local chapter. An AWC Clarion Award winner, in 2021 she is chairing the Clarion Awards. Peggy is a graduate of Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Connect with Peggy:

TwitterInstagramIconwebsiteemailFacebook

Leave a Comment

Search
JOIN AWC!

If you are passionate for communications, driven toward greatness, motivated to lead, and inspired to elevate the future of the communication industry, join the thousands of women nationwide who have already discovered the benefits of AWC.

Contribute to Trending

Are you an expert in your field with insights to share? Have tips other women can learn from, or want to reflect on a relatable experience? We’d love to hear from you! If you’re interested in contributing a blog piece to Trending, see the Author Guidelines, then email [email protected] for more information.

Scroll to Top