2018 IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards – FAQs

What are the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards?

The IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards debuted 37 years ago to recognize excellence in communications in southeast Michigan. Today, it is the premiere communications awards program in the state, honoring communicators in Michigan as well as the Toledo, Ohio area.

What are the IABC Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards?

The IABC Heritage Region Silver Quill awards have been a hallmark of communications excellence for more than 15 years. Silver Quill recognizes outstanding accomplishments within its geographic area: Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.

What’s new with the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards?

IABC Detroit is partnering with the Heritage Region to offer communicators a chance to compete at the local level (IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards) as well as the regional level (Heritage Region Silver Quill) at the same time, using a single entry.

Why are the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards partnering with the Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards?

Many IABC Detroit members also enter the regional Silver Quill awards each year. We have been looking for ways to help members save time when completing their entries. By partnering with the Heritage Region, IABC Detroit allows communicators to enter both competitions using a single entry. And, the regular entry fee is lower than it would be if the awards programs were administered separately.

When is the deadline?

The early bird deadline is June 4, with a final deadline of JULY 11, 2018.

Do you have to be an IABC member to enter?

No, the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards and Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards are open to non-members within their geographical boundaries.

The IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards welcome entries from throughout Michigan, as well as the Toledo, Ohio area. The Heritage Region encompasses Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.

Are the categories the same?

Yes, the categories for the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards and Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards are the same. Visit the Silver Quill website for categories and entry requirements.

How does it work?

IABC Detroit and the Heritage Region are sharing an entry platform. Communicators who wish to enter the Renaissance Awards (RA) and Silver Quill (SQ) awards should visit the Silver Quill website.

To enter both competitions, click on ““Michigan – SQ + RA” and enter your communication programs/projects using the instructions given. The system will aggregate the entry fees into one payment.

All entries marked “Michigan – SQ + RA” will be considered for the regional (Silver Quill) recognition as well as local (Renaissance Awards) recognition. Communicators could earn up to two awards for each entry – one at the local level and one at the regional level.

Will Renaissance Award submissions be competing with entries from other states?

Only entrants who select “Michigan – SQ + RA” will be considered for IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards. Even though we are sharing the entry platform with the Heritage Region Silver Quills, the Renaissance Awards are only open to communicators in Michigan and the Toledo, Ohio area.

 Do I have to pay separately for each awards program?

If you select “Michigan – SQ + RA” on the entry form, the system will aggregate your entries into one payment.

Are there cost savings by entering both awards programs at once?

Yes. Because we gain synergies through a shared entry platform, the regular entry fee for the Renaissance Awards is lower than it would be for a standalone program.

 Could you earn a Renaissance Award but not a Silver Quill?

It’s possible to earn a Renaissance Award but not meet the scoring threshold for a Silver Quill.

 Could you earn a Silver Quill and not win a Renaissance Award?

No, the scoring thresholds for Silver Quill are higher than those for the Renaissance Awards. However, if your entry earns a Silver Quill, you would also earn a Renaissance award.

Who is judging the awards?

For both programs, each entry will be reviewed by two evaluators and the scores will be averaged for the final score.  Evaluators are seasoned communications professionals who are familiar with the IABC seven-point global scale of excellence. Entries are not scored against each other; rather the final score must fall within a specific numerical range to qualify for an IABC Detroit Renaissance award or a Heritage Region Silver Quill award.

 Can I enter Renaissance Awards only? No. If you want to be considered for the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards, you must also enter your work in the regional Silver Quill competition.

I want to enter some of my work in just Silver Quill and enter other work in both Silver Quill and Renaissance Awards. Can I do that?

Yes. However, you will need to set up another log in. When you create a new log in for this purpose, click “Michigan – SQ only” when entering your work in the regional competition.

 I’m in the Toledo, Ohio area. Can I still participate in the Renaissance Awards?

Yes. Just click “Michigan – SQ + RA” when you enter.

Will there still be a Communicator of the Year award?

Yes. Visit iabcdetroit.org for more information about the Communicator of the Year program. It is not part of the shared entry platform.

When will the awards be announced?

There are two separate dates:

  • IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards will celebrate its winners at an event in late October.
  • Silver Quill will notify entrants of their entry status in October. Silver Quill winners will also be posted on the Heritage Region website in October and honored at a recognition dinner at the Heritage Region conference in November.
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