Gold Quill FAQs
Q: What is Gold Quill?
The Gold Quill is a mark of global distinction.
For more than 35 years, it has been an internationally recognized symbol of excellence that embodies challenge, learning and success. The Gold Quill Awards program, sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC):
- Rewards excellence and outstanding achievement in business communication around the world
- Recognizes the world's best communication professionals
- Encourages development of thought leadership, exemplary communication skills, creativity, resourcefulness and successful solutions
- It is, quite simply, the highest level of professional acknowledgement within business communication
Q: How can I get a copy of the Call for Entries?
- The Call for Entries is available online at www.iabc.com/gq/
- Members will receive a copy of the Call for Entries via postal mail in November 2007.
- If you are not an IABC member and you would like to receive a hard copy of the 2008 Call
for Entries, please contact the Service Centre at or +1 415.544.4700
Q: Can I get a copy of the Call for Entries in French or Spanish?
The Call for Entries in French and Spanish are posted on our web site at www.iabc.com/awards/gq/
Q: How do I enter?/When do I enter?
You can pay online, by mail or by fax starting December 2007. Please see the Call for Entries for entry forms and complete details. Hard copies of all materials (work plan and work sample) must be mailed to the appropriate coordinator by the corresponding dates below.
Q: What are the entry fees and deadlines?
Q: How many categories are there?
There are 26 categories.
Q: Can I resubmit an entry?
Yes, as long as the following two conditions apply. First, your entry must not have won an award in the prior year’s program. Second, the project work and/or measurement must extend into the current year. For example, an entry could be resubmitted to the 2008 Gold Quill Awards if it was not a winner in last year's program and the work and/or measurement extended into 2007.
Q: Can I wait and submit this year’s work in next year’s competition?
The 2009 Gold Quill Awards program will accept work produced prior to 2008 as long as the work and/or measurement extended into 2008.
Q: Can I submit the same entry more than once in the same year?
You may submit the same entry in as many different categories as apply to that entry, but not more than once in the same category. You must tailor your work plan to fit each category and pay a separate entry fee for each category you enter. However, you may use a single entry form to submit your entry to multiple categories.
Q: Can I submit several different projects for entry?
You may submit as many different entries as you wish. If you are entering several different projects, submit a separate entry form, work plan and work sample for each entry. Separate fees apply for each entry.
Q: If my project was created by a team, who do I list for the entry package? How do I ensure that other members of the team receive credit for working on the project?
The entrant’s name should be the primary contact person who is principally responsible for the development, management and execution of the entry, and is submitting the project on behalf of the team. This person should fill in and submit the entry form. The entrant’s name must match the name on the work plan. The number of people who worked on the project team will not affect the judging process. If your entry wins an award, the contact person listed will then be asked whether any other project team members should be formally recognized for the award. The entrant must be the lead person on the project.
Q: If a project was created by an agency and client, who enters it?
Either one can enter, as long as the entrant includes a letter of consent acknowledging the different roles in the project, and, in particular, a company’s written permission to disclose corporate information as part of the entry requirements. If the material is proprietary, be sure to clearly indicate this on your entry and entry form. Entries that do not include this letter of permission will be disqualified.
Q: How are entries judged and awards determined?
Gold Quill Awards coordinators recruit a global network of first-tier judges, who evaluate all entries submitted. First, two judges use standardized criteria to evaluate each entry. To advance as finalists, entries must score at least 5.25 out of 7 possible points. Finalists in each category are then re-evaluated by the second-tier Blue Ribbon Panel of judges, which is composed of IABC Fellows, Accredited Business Communicators, past Gold Quill Award winners and other senior leaders in the communication profession. This Blue Ribbon Panel selects the winners. Entries scored 5.75 and above by the Blue Ribbon Panel receive an Award of Excellence. Those scoring 5.25 and above receive an Award of Merit. There is no limit to the number of awards that can be presented, and entries do not compete against each other. All judges’ decisions are final.
Q: How are entries scored?
Winning entries must meet clearly stated objectives, show originality and demonstrate results based on measured outcomes. Judges consider how well a program is conceived and executed, how appropriate the chosen strategy and objectives are in relation to its desired results, and how the outcomes are measured and achieved. In terms of scoring, for entries in the Communication Management division, the work plan and the work sample are each worth 50 percent of the score. For entries in the Communication Skills division, the work plan is worth 40 percent and the work sample is worth 60 percent of the score. Finally, in the Communication Creative division, the work plan is worth 25 percent and the work sample is worth 75 percent of the score.
Q: Do entrants receive feedback?
For each entry submitted, entrants receive a one-page evaluation form with scores and brief comments from judges. All evaluation forms will be mailed by post to entrants by May 2008.
Q: How are winners notified and recognized?
Winners only will be notified in April 2008 via e-mail. (Notification for finalists, no-award entrants and disqualified entrants will be sent by standard mail by May 2008.) Award-winning entries will be recognized at the IABC International Conference in New York City on 22-25 June 2008. Winners will be presented with their award at a special optional black-tie event during the conference on 23 June 2008. They will also be featured in the July/August issue of Communication World, IABC’s bimonthly magazine, and on the IABC web site.
Q: What happens to the entries once the competition is over?
No materials will be returned to entrants. There are no exceptions, so do not submit any irreplaceable materials. All entries become the property of IABC. (If the material is proprietary, be sure to clearly indicate this on your entry and entry form.) IABC is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Due to the volume of material received, IABC does not confirm receipt of entries or fees. If you want confirmation of receipt, send both by a form of traceable delivery.
Q: Which category or division should I enter?
For clarification about specific categories and divisions, call or e-mail a category coordinator. He/she will do his/her best to help you find the category and division that best fits your submission. If submitted to the wrong category or division, your entry may be disqualified, without refund of fees.
Q: Do judges really pay attention to details such as the permitted font size and the length of the work plan?
Yes, they do. If you get these details wrong, you have no chance of winning.
Q: I’m submitting a large campaign. How can I make sure that my entry fits the size limit?
A lot of information fits in a single one-inch (2.55-centimetre) ring diameter binder, which is the maximum size allowed. Organize and summarize your material. If you're tight on space, remember that you do not need to submit an entire slide show or every news clipping. Provide a summary of research results, not all feedback received. Keep in mind that the work sample should be representative of your work—you are not required to document each and every aspect of the entire project.
Q: How do I find the correct coordinator to send my entry to?
Category coordinators and regional/language coordinators will be listed on IABC’s web site when the 2009 Call for Entries is posted.
Q: What are Regional Coordinators?
Regional Coordinators are the volunteers responsible for first-tier judging of all English-language entries outside of the Americas.
Q: I’m a native French speaker. Can I submit my entry in French?
Yes! Gold Quill accepts entries in English, Spanish or French. All French and Spanish entries should be sent to the corresponding language coordinator.
Q: Sending internationally?
Allow extra time when sending across an international border, and check customs requirements well in advance. This includes shipping to/from Canada and the U.S. Mark “No Commercial Value” on export documents. All entries (work plan and work sample) and payments must be received (not postmarked) by the deadlines.
All English language entries outside the Americas should be sent to the corresponding regional coordinators.
Q: I’m not an IABC member. Can I enter Gold Quill?
Yes! Please see the entry fees above for non-members. You can also join IABC and enter Gold Quill at the same time with our Join and Enter rates.
Q: Do you have a Student Division?
Yes! The Student Gold Quill competition recognizes excellence in communication at the undergraduate and graduate school level. If you’re a full- or part-time student, consider entering your original work.
Categories, entry fees and full entry guidelines are available at www.iabc.com/student/.
Student winners will be recognized in the July/August issue of IABC’s magazine, Communication World, on IABC’s web site and at IABC’s International Conference.
THE SHARON BERZOK STUDENT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: $500 (US) SCHOLARSHIP
All entrants in the Student Gold Quill competition will be considered for the Sharon Berzok award. The winning entrant will receive a US$500 scholarship to be directed toward professional development, education or training.
The Sharon Berzok Student Award will be awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the judges, achieves the highest standard of communication excellence in the Student Gold Quill competition and demonstrates a commitment to the field of communication.
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