(09/15/20)

By Scott Ball, TBW Editor

It was a real shame that we couldn’t get together to celebrate the ACI Awards this year, but wasn’t the Livestream show terrific? Congratulations to Awards Chair, Blake Podhajsky; Co-chair Aaron Meier; and all the category chairs. You really made the most of a challenging situation.

If you missed the presentation, you can still view a replay by visiting the Awards Livestream page on the ACI website. You can view and download a PDF file of winning entries plus judges’ bios on our website as well.

ACI owes a big thank-you to outgoing Awards Chair, Blake Podhajsky, for his three years of service in that role.

Thank you, also, to incoming Awards Chair, Aaron Meier, for your willingness to serve. Aaron is looking for a co-chair to take on next year’s Awards program with him. No special skills necessary – just a willingness to help and a good sense of humor.

Being co-chair has its benefits. Consider…

• You are exposed to a huge network of professionals that you otherwise wouldn’t have.
• You get an intimate look at the best work from all over the country, which will inspire you and expose you to some fresh ideas and perspectives.
• Resume enhancement.
• Finally, the perks of paid conference registration, lodging and travel to conferences.

Send Aaron an email if you think you might be interested.

Blake and Aaron will be shipping the plaques soon. Here’s where we need your assistance. If your agency won an award, we need one person from that state to contact Blake with a name and shipping address to receive your state’s plaque(s). The sooner you respond, the sooner you can hang your plaque(s) in the office – or circulate photos to your coworkers if you’re still working from home.

A parting thought from Blake: “I would also encourage people to get involved with the ACI Awards Committee. Anyone can be on the committee, which is there to help the program chairs with ideas and decisions. And possibly help with assigned tasks. For an individual who aspires to become highly involved with ACI as a board member or officer, getting involved with the Awards Committee and program gives you a leg up when officers and board members are being recruited and voted in.”

Thanks from, and congratulations to, Blake and Aaron and team.