Who doesn't love a good awards presentation? The newly expanded Alberta Magazine Awards will be no exception. The full rundown of finalists was announced yesterday in MagaScene.
So who are this year's contenders?
Well there's the usual showing by Alberta biggies, Avenue (Calgary) and Alberta Venture, each with several nominations. No surprise there. techlife, a past winner at the Showcase awards, no doubt wishes to continue its winning streak as well.
A little guy making some big noise is Routes magazine with three nominations. Shout-out to Sandra Wiebe and her team, considering they only came on the scene less than three years ago, and have made major leaps and bounds in that time--a time that can be the most challenging as any publisher knows.
The most formidable category has to be the Achievement in Publishing category. I mean seriously: Karen Crowdis, Editor-in-Chief, Birthing; Barbara Dacks, Publisher, Legacy; Gary Davies, Executive Vice-President, RedPoint Media Group Inc.; Tom Tait, Publisher, Galleries West; and Rob Tanner, Publisher, Tanner Young Publishing Group. I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with all of these folks in some capacity and I am SO glad that I don't have to make the call on this one.
Any one of them are worthy of the award, but I have to admit I'm leaning towards Mr. Tait on this one. He’s been a key figure in Alberta’s magazine scene for many years now. Some of you may know that he used to be the publisher of Where Calgary. After selling that thriving venture to big gun St. Joseph Communications, he's ventured back into the fray to successfully helm Galleries West while simultaneously doing community work (such as with the Rotary Club), travelling and squeezing in a game or two of golf. All this while coping with leukemia. Give the man a prize I say!
Yes of course it's an honour to be nominated, but let's face it, people love to win! So what are your thoughts? Who do you think will and/or should win?
I'm hoping to get some judges' comments to make more predictions, but if you really want to know, make sure you attend the gala on March 24 at the Alberta Magazines Conference. Registration closes TODAY. Be there or be square.
So who are this year's contenders?
Well there's the usual showing by Alberta biggies, Avenue (Calgary) and Alberta Venture, each with several nominations. No surprise there. techlife, a past winner at the Showcase awards, no doubt wishes to continue its winning streak as well.
A little guy making some big noise is Routes magazine with three nominations. Shout-out to Sandra Wiebe and her team, considering they only came on the scene less than three years ago, and have made major leaps and bounds in that time--a time that can be the most challenging as any publisher knows.
The most formidable category has to be the Achievement in Publishing category. I mean seriously: Karen Crowdis, Editor-in-Chief, Birthing; Barbara Dacks, Publisher, Legacy; Gary Davies, Executive Vice-President, RedPoint Media Group Inc.; Tom Tait, Publisher, Galleries West; and Rob Tanner, Publisher, Tanner Young Publishing Group. I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with all of these folks in some capacity and I am SO glad that I don't have to make the call on this one.
Any one of them are worthy of the award, but I have to admit I'm leaning towards Mr. Tait on this one. He’s been a key figure in Alberta’s magazine scene for many years now. Some of you may know that he used to be the publisher of Where Calgary. After selling that thriving venture to big gun St. Joseph Communications, he's ventured back into the fray to successfully helm Galleries West while simultaneously doing community work (such as with the Rotary Club), travelling and squeezing in a game or two of golf. All this while coping with leukemia. Give the man a prize I say!
Yes of course it's an honour to be nominated, but let's face it, people love to win! So what are your thoughts? Who do you think will and/or should win?
I'm hoping to get some judges' comments to make more predictions, but if you really want to know, make sure you attend the gala on March 24 at the Alberta Magazines Conference. Registration closes TODAY. Be there or be square.
--- Colleen Seto
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence
