Stephen Simmons MMC’s Post

Dallas does everything big and the 12th Annual DFW Admin Awards is no exception. This year's program has broken all kinds of records including the largest number of nominations and largest number of attendees, exceeding pre pandemic numbers. We are on track to hit 640 attendees this year! That is some SERIOUS BIG LOVE for the region's extraordinary Administrative Professionals! And we're reminded that this would not be possible without Southwest Airlines, Robert Half, Marsh McLennan Agency, Stagen Leadership Academy, Toyota North America, LUMINI, Potter's House, Vizient, Inc, Bevi, Royal Catering and Beacon: The Platform for Forward-Thinking Administrative Professionals. There has been zero need to convince executives in DFW that showing up for their Administrative Professionals is important - they get it, nor has there been any need to convince area Administrators on the importance of showing up FOR public recognition and its importance in moving the profession forward. Bravo, Dallas Fort Worth, Bravo! I might still not like your football team (GO EAGLES) but I LOVE you. Here we go, DFW! https://lnkd.in/gHZQPtN

Still Thinking of Entering? There's Still Time! There is still plenty of time to submit a knockout entry into the 2024 Event Awards. Past entrants have reported needing only a couple of hours to pull together their entry...don't forget - you've already done all the thinking, designed and delivered the event or achievement - all you have to do is put it into words and tell us about it! With the new, simplified entry form, with a maximum of 2,600 words, it's easier than ever to enter. Tell the Judges about you event or achievement, what did you achieve, what were the complexities, how was it creative and an asset to the industry, what were your challenges? If you start today, that's only 434 words a day to get to the finish line! https://lnkd.in/g8P-s-NG

Learning is my favourite pastime. How about you? Today I joined in with Jonathan Jay & his Dealmaker’s Academy, for their Spring workshop at the Richmond Hill Hotel. The main subject of the conference is The Fundamentals Of Buying & Selling Businesses Successfully. If you’d like to find out what I’ve learned reach out #milanroka #alistaircorbett #geraldanozia #angenirolazarini #rediangaxhiu #jonathanjay #learningisfun #abundancemindset #mergersandacquistions

With less than two weeks until the deadline, you still have plenty of time to submit your work for the Gabriel Awards. If you or someone you know has created something remarkable this year, take advantage of the last few days to submit to our judges to receive your well earned recognition. If you have any questions, you can reach out to awards@catholicmediaassociation.org #filmcrew #filmcrewlife #filmcrewofficial #filmindustry #filmindustrynetwork #filmindustrynews

Throw back to a few weeks ago! It's genuinely been a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as a jury member for the WOW Awards Middle East. It was an intense process, hours of going through submissions and was fully audited...I honestly don't trust many "Awards" these days, and I can attest, this was was the real deal. Celebrating and recognising the passion and creativity of so many talented businesses in the wedding and events industry is important! Huge congratulations in particular to Arun Bablani, Hannah Connolley, Laura Shepherd, Gauri Chadha, and Stefani Heller.🏆 However, I know that often, some who don’t win can feel deflated and disappointed. While awards hold significance and recognise hard work, it’s essential to remember that they don’t define success or reputation. True achievement lies in the dedication to our craft, the relationships we build, and the positive impact we make in our communities. Many businesses thrive successfully, making a huge impact without an award to their name. #justsaying. That said, I also feel we have to be our own biggest cheerleaders in business, and submitting our awesome work for an award or two, shouldn't be something to be ashamed of. Even better is when you are nominated by someone else! A happy client, customer or associate. What are your thoughts? Have you won an award? Has it helped your business? Do you loath them? Are you indifferent? I'm genuinely curious... #WOWAwards #BusinessJourney #WeddingBiz #WeddingEvents #DubaiEvents #MICEEvents

Let's talk about awards. I'm involved in multiple events that involve awards, and I'm interested to hear what people have to say about their expectations. If you have a minute, please tell me your thoughts on one or all of these (or send me a DM if you'd prefer to keep your thoughts private): Should an award nomination cost money and, if you are okay with a fee, what's reasonable to you? What kind of an event do you expect to have tied to the presentation of the awards? Reception? Gala? What are your expectations for the award itself? Trophy? Plaque? Certificate? Do you still display the industry awards you have won, and if you do, how do you display them? I won't be quoting anyone here on anything. I'm just trying to do a little research courtesy of my colleagues here on LinkedIn.

What I've learnt from judging awards Recently, I chaired judging the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards in a couple of categories, and here's my takeaways: ⭐ Proof is key: Surprisingly, many entrants didn't provide attachments to back up their claims. Adding evidence strengthens your case and boosts credibility. ⭐ Show me the money: Whether it's percentage increases or actual dollar figures, seeing the growth adds a whole new level of clarity to your success story. ⭐ Answer the question: If asked about the innovation behind a strategy, it's crucial to be crystal clear about what sets it apart. Don't beat around the bush, highlight exactly what makes your approach unique and innovative. ⭐ Keep it simple: Don't drown your entry with unnecessary jargon or repeat yourself. Bullet points are your friend - make it easy to understand and engage with your message. ⭐ Attention-grabbing title: Give your entry a title that demands attention, whether catchy or a thought-provoking question. Make sure it hooks your audience right off the bat. ⭐ By the way, did you know China's big into art exhibitions? Their mall culture is next level, with tons of captivating displays—it's a whole scene. Have you judged awards or entered any? #steviesawards

Are you sick of seeing competitors win awards that should be yours? Have you always wanted to win an award but don’t know where to start? Have you tried entering awards and found the process to be too time consuming and difficult? Green Door Co can help. By partnering with Green Door Co you get to leave the hard work to us, giving you the peace of mind that you’re putting your very best foot forward and that you’ll never miss an awards deadline. We handle the process end-to-end from matching you with the right awards through to writing captivating awards submissions, allowing you to stay focussed on what you do best. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g-NTDygi

As we approach the awards season, Gráinne McGarvey talks about the value of entering business awards. With her extensive experience helping companies across Ireland and the UK secure awards, Grainne knows there’s a real skill in getting it right. Having an objective, outside perspective can make all the difference in giving judges exactly what they’re looking for. Here are her top 5 reasons to get involved https://lnkd.in/eyaW4Td2