For more than 35 years, the Gold Quill Awards have internationally rewarded the work of business communicators in all aspects. This program, sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), annually solicits the best work from more than 16 000 communicators. It is the highest level of professional acknowledgement for communicators in their capacities ranging from strategists, managers to practitioners. The awards also cover not only the corporate sector but government and nonprofit communication as well.

The time has arrived for our continent to show our strength in this field. Entries for the African Quill Awards from the African region must be submitted on 27 January 2009. Winners of African Quill Awards are automatically submitted for the international Gold Quill Awards. A well known and specialized panel of judges has been confirmed to then judge the local communication capabilities in the 27 categories grouped in four divisions, namely: Communication Management, Communication Skills and Communication creative and Social Media.

The South African panel of judges will include: Dr Harry Dugmore, Lawrence Molai, Dr Reidwaan Wookay, Taryn van Olden (ABC), Daniel Munslow, Marilyn Watson, Mitch Ramsey, Janine Lazarus, Gustuv Puth, Corne Meintjes, Polly Modiko, Sedge Motau with moderators Peter Blum and Dr Amanda Hamilton Atwill (ABC).

“We think of Gold Quill as the Oscars of our industry – you get to feel the extravagance the glamour and the prestige of being among the best - with no doubt that it took hard work, a strong focus on results and unwavering commitment, “ says Mari Lee, winner of two Gold Quill Awards in 2008 and proudly South African.

On completion of the African judging, the IABC African Chapter will host an awards ceremony to reward the winners and celebrate the skill we have in our spectrum of African countries. The venue and final date for this event will be confirmed.
Successful entries that were submitted to the Gold Quill round will be rewarded with the highest level of recognition at the IABC Gold Quill Awards ceremony held in San Francisco on Monday, 8 June.

Communicators - if you haven’t entered yet, you might loose out on the opportunity to go home with an Oscar. Entry forms and other details are available at www.iabc.com/awards or contact Ilze at [email protected].