Following the success of the inaugural Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Awards, entries are now open for the 2017 edition of the Awards.

The Awards aim to recognise leisure industry communication and marketing excellence among individuals, organisations, businesses and government in Australia and New Zealand.

To be presented in 14 categories, the Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Awards will be presented at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Thursday 24th August, at the close of the Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Summit.

Introducing the Awards, Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton advised “when done well, marketing and communications build a brands reputation and add to the bottom line of any business. At the same time, communications and marketing are also about dealing with crisis and standing up to scrutiny, something that several of the winners of the 2016 had to face up to.

“The awards recognise a cross section of activities from international businesses to start-ups, industry icons and national organisations to small operators, showing that effective communications and marketing is not just for big operators, and is more about a commitment to sharing what an organisation excels at.”

The Awards cover the widest definition of leisure: aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venue management.

With the exception of the Ministerial Award, nominations are invited for all awards.

For all awards, nominees are asked to, in no more than 750 words, explain what best demonstrates their communication and marketing excellence for the period from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2017.

Entries can be in the form of case studies.

Entries can be submitted by individuals, organisations or business on their own behalf or by those wishing to nominate a third party.

For further information or clarification on any category you are welcome to contact leisure@ausleisure.com.au or call 02 8018 6808.

Entries should be submitted to leisure@ausleisure.com.au by 5pm (AEST) on Friday 11th August 2017.

Note: Entrants may engage in activities across several categories but any application must focus on the component relevant to the specific category entered.

Award categories

Industry Association/Peak Body Award
Open to industry peak bodies, member associations, professional institutes, campaign/lobby groups or similar organisations.
2016 winner: New Zealand Recreation Association

Industry Supplier Award
Open to any commercial business supplying products or services to the leisure industry.
2016 winner: Debitsuccess - Team headed by Joanna Redfern

Not-for-profit Award
This award aims to recognise work undertaken by a not-for-profit organisation in the leisure industry.
2016 winner: YMCA Australia

Business Award
Open to any commercial business operation in the leisure industry.
2016 winner: Plus Fitness 24/7

Local Government Award
Open to any local government organisation in Australia and New Zealand.
2016 winner: Hamilton City Council

Government Department/Agency Award
Open to any government department or agency in Australia and New Zealand.
2016 winner: VenuesWest

National Organisation Award
Open to any national organisation in Australia and New Zealand.
2016 winner:  Tennis Australia - Team headed by Prue Ryan

Public Relations Agency Award
This award aims to recognise the best work on behalf of a leisure client, or group of clients, undertaken by a commercial public relations agency.
2016 winner: Articulate PR - Team headed by Kym Elphinstone

Communications Executive Award (Agency)
Open to any communications, marketing or public relations professional working on behalf of a leisure client, or group of clients, within an agency or as an individual.
2016 winner: Greg Campbell, Javelin PR

Communications Executive Award (Industry) 
Open to any communications, marketing or public relations professional working within an industry business or organisation.
2016 winner: Arthur Stanley, ANZ Stadium

Social Media Award
For the best use of social media by any individual, organisation or business in the leisure industry.
2016 winner: Blair Hughes

Campaign Award
Recognising the best campaign activity (promotion, launch, opening event or similar) undertaken in the industry.
2016 winner: Opening of the International Convention Centre Sydney - Team headed by Samantha Glass

Crisis Communication Award
Recognising how an individual, organisation or business has effectively dealt with communication and marketing in a crisis or emergency situation.
2016 winner: Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust for its activities in the wake of the tragic death of cricketer Phil Hughes

Ministerial Award
This Award aims to recognise a Minister within Federal, State or Territory Government with responsibility for leisure portfolios who has delivered clear and high quality communications devoid of ‘spin’, jargon and political point-scoring.

This award is not open for entries with the recipient being decided by the management team at Australasian Leisure Management.
2016 winner: Stuart Ayres, NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Tourism

Judging
Judging of the Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Awards is to be undertaken by the management team of Australasian Leisure Management with the input of industry experts as appropriate.

While all Award categories, with the exception of the Ministerial Award, are open for nomination, the management team at Australasian Leisure Management reserves the right to present Awards to chosen individuals, organisations or business should entries of sufficient quality not be received.

The decision of the judges will be final and no correspondence or discussion will be considered on the judging.

Images: Plus Fitness' 2016 Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Award (top) and Kym Elphinstone of Articulate PR receives her 2016 Award (below).

Click here for more information and/or to register for the Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Summit. 

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