The value of award shows has recently been a topic for debate within the advertising community. Are award shows worth the expense? Are they just a big boondoggle? Do they truly celebrate great creative and marketing work as they should? While some major players have opted out of entering the big international shows, many others are defending the importance of celebrating great work. To this line of thinking, award shows remind us of what we are striving for and why we do what we do in the first place. A mutually satisfying answer to this debate might be as close as your own backyard. There is a strong case to be made for "going local." Here are the top five reasons to up your entries in local award shows. Networking with people in your city. Some say we travel in small circles in our industry. Often it feels like we have all worked at the same five agencies in a given metro area. Local award shows let you connect with people who you haven't seen in a long time and learn about new opportunities. Check out the competition close to home. There is always work that makes us say, "I wish I'd done that." Local award shows give you a peek at the best work within your neighbor agencies. It might spark new ideas for you and your clients. To get a more in-depth view, see if you can participate as a judge. That trophy looks great on you. Trophies are a point of pride in the office. You can increase your hardware intake significantly by entering local award shows. Whether you are new in your career and looking to make your mark or a veteran who needs some more current wins, everyone looks good with a winning smile. Local awards give you more "bling" for your buck. With an eye on the bottom line as well as the prize, local award shows help you stick to your budgetary goals as you grab your moment in the spotlight. The entry fee for local award shows is typically a fraction of what national or international award shows charge. So you can enter more campaigns or enter the same campaign in multiple categories to up your odds of winning. Plus, you can forego the giant travel costs. Celebrate success together. Client and agency teams work hard as partners. Local award shows are a way to share some well-deserved accolades together. Typically, local award shows offer the option of two trophies, one for the agency office and one for client's office for the cost of an extra trophy. NOTE: If you live in the Chicago area, the CADM Tempo Awards are a favorite local award show celebrating the best multichannel response marketing work and talent in the Chicagoland area. The entry window is open now until March 9, 2018 at www.cadm.org/tempo-awards. Go big and win local!
