I never really understood the importance of professional organizations, so naturally, I had never thought to submit for professional awards. I was a part of one throughout college with a student membership and yet I never took advantage of any of the benefits it offered.

When I started my current job, my boss was big on being members of IABC, or the International Association of Business Communicators so she got me a membership. IABC Edmonton offers a wide variety of lunch and learns, as well as a great mentorship program. Not to mention, there’s an amazing network of creative professionals to connect with.

IABC Edmonton also hosts an annual awards gala. If not for my boss, I wouldn’t have known professional awards were something to be desired. Last year, after much stress and anxiety over a submission that took me weeks to write, I took home my first award for our website redesign. So this year, ‘win an award’ definitely had to be on my 27 x 28 list.

3 reasons to submit for professional awards

This year, I submitted for three awards, so in the spirit of my three submissions, here are three reasons why I think submitting for awards is a good idea:

1. It encourages creativity and gives you something to strive for.

Every project you begin to look at through the lens of “How can I make this award-winning?”

2. It supports the planning process and allows for growth.

We tend to rush through projects, but the submission process requires you to include thoughtful objectives and measures as well as proof of whether or not your tactics were successful. Each submission also receives feedback from two judges, allowing us to take a look at where we can improve.

3. It allows for celebration and team bonding.

In my opinion, we don’t celebrate the work we do near enough. It’s nice to take a moment with your colleagues and take a step back to celebrate the work we do each year. The IABC Edmonton Awards Gala is one of two events my team aims to attend together each year. My amazing colleague, Noelle, also won her first professional award. I couldn’t be more proud.

I was fortunate enough to walk away with two awards this year. Thanks, IABC Edmonton for hosting yet another amazing Awards Gala.

Are you a part of a professional organization? What’s your favourite aspect about it?