Local public relations awards program moves to online format for 2020

Excalibur Award entries due Aug. 21; virtual awards ceremony Oct. 14; reduced entry fees for entire summer

Like most events in 2020, a yearly tradition for the local public relations industry will be a little different this year. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Buffalo Niagara Chapter announced its 31st Annual Excalibur Awards will shift to an online format for 2020. The organization encouraged practitioners and organizations throughout Western New York to submit their best public relations campaigns and tactics from 2019 and 2020 to prsabuffaloniagara.org no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.

Twelve campaign categories and 15 tactic categories are available, allowing projects from a variety of communication backgrounds such as media relations, publications, social media and community relations. As an added boost to garner participation, PRSA Buffalo Niagara Chapter will charge the traditional "early-bird" pricing throughout the summer. Prices start at $45 per entry and vary based on chapter membership and nonprofit status.

In addition, PRSA Buffalo Niagara Chapter welcomes nominations for three Special Honors categories: the May C Randazzo Outstanding Practitioner Award, the Outstanding Executive Award and the Ann R. Carden Rising Star Award. The chapter will announce all Excalibur Awards winners during a virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Full details, including guidelines and sample judging forms, are available under the "Awards" section of the PRSA Buffalo Niagara Chapter website at prsabuffaloniagara.org. For additional inquiries, email [email protected].