Posts RSSTucson IABC Chapter Announces 2009 Cactus Quill Awards
By Monica Surfaro Spigelman | June 8th, 2009
IABC/Tucson has named recipients of the Eighth Annual Cactus Quills, an awards program honoring best practices in Arizona business communications. Winners were announced at IABC/Tucson’s Cactus Quill Awards program, held June 4 at the Manning House.
There are 7 Cactus Quill winners this year, with 3 awards of excellence and 4 merit winners designated in the following categories: Marketing Communications, Employee/Member Communications, Electronic & Digital Communication, Audio Visual, Writing, and Publication Design. The 2009 Cactus Quill award winners are: AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE (3 Excellence awards)
* In the Employee/Member Communications category:
“What is Your Path?” Lauri Huff, et al., Raytheon Missile Systems Communications
* In the Electronic/Digital Communication category:
“Pinch Express Website,” Monica Surfaro-Spigelman, Tucson Cowgirl Communications
* In the Audio Visual category:
“Regent’s Video Profiles: Ofelia Zepeda, Jefferson Reid,” Sally Sumner, Firehouse Pictures
AWARDS OF MERIT (4 Merit Awards)
* In the Marketing Communications category: “Expressions Calendar 2008,” C. Jill Hofer, Watermark Retirement Communities
* In the Publication Design category:
“Your Financial Answer,” Kathy Hippensteel, Hughes Federal Credit Union
* In the Writing category (2 awards in this category):
“Advancing Arizona,” Elena Acoba
and
“Watermark University News Release,” C. Jill Hofer, Watermark Retirement Communities
The call for entries for the 2010 Cactus Quill Awards will be announced in early 2010. IABC/Tucson’s Cactus Quill is an annual awards program open to all Arizona media professionals involved in business communications. In addition to a trophy, entrants receive constructive comments from IABC business experts in other states who served as judges. The Eighth Annual Cactus Quills program entries were judged by experts from the IABC’s Connecticut chapter.
Congrats to the winners! Everyone - Start thinking of what entry you’ll submit to the 2010 Cactus Quill Awards Program!
Latest Tucson Chapter e-Newsletter Is Online
By Monica Surfaro Spigelman | May 4th, 2009
Just posted our chapter’s Byword — Please take a look!
http://www.iabctucson.com/news.htm
I’d be interested to learn how often other chapters produce newsletters (print or online) for members. Have you found another communications vehicle more appealing to your membership?
Thanks–
Monica
www.tucsoncowgirl.com
IABC Tucson will be heard on April 6 when Chair Barb Gibson visits!
By Monica Surfaro Spigelman | March 13th, 2009
Will you be in the Old Pueblo (Tucson, Arizona) on Monday, April 6? If so, please join the IABC/Tucson chapter — Barb is visiting us!
We’re proud to host a not-to-be-missed networking and spotlight session with our IABC chair Barbara A. Gibson, ABC. Barb will lead us in a very special luncheon meeting about trends in international communications and social networking. You can RSVP online now:
http://www.iabctucson.com/RSVP_Pay_090406.html
or email us at events@iabctucson.com to let us know you’re attending.
Ample parking is available around Tucson’s funky Historic Train Depot, which is where our upcoming luncheon meeting will be held. Please check the www.iabctucson.com website for details.
Hosting the chair of our global organization is an incredible honor for IABC/Tucson. If your chapter also is hosting a meeting during a portion of Barb’s upcoming trip, please contact me so we can share ideas and connect on the planning!
Monica
Monica Surfaro Spigelman
IABC Tucson BOD - Communications & Technology Director, ‘07-’09
www.tucsoncowgirl.com
http://twitter.com/Tucson_Cowgirl
www.linkedin.com/in/monicasurfarospigelman
SEC Speech, Fair Disclosure & Corporate Communications
By Monica Surfaro Spigelman | August 5th, 2008
Interesting speech from staffer of US Securities and Exchange Commission. Came during remarks at an open meeting on July 30, from Kim McManus, Special Counsel, Division of Corporation Finance. The way of the future in terms of fair disclosure? I ponder meaning to corporate communications: http://tinyurl.com/5jse3l … new definitions for websites and news releases? Will be interested to hear IABCer comments on the subject. Hope to read posts from Barbara and Shel.
Tucson Topics
By Monica Surfaro Spigelman | July 17th, 2008
It’s hot here in Tucson, but the monsoons are upon us so life is good!
Some news from our part of the world…IABC/Tucson has just elected its new board. We look forward to Being Heard in Tucson and beyond in the year ahead!
TUCSON, AZ (June 30, 2008): The Tucson chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Tucson) announced its new Board of Directors, elected by membership for the one-year term beginning July 1.
The new directors are: Co-Presidents: Paul Tumarkin, Owner, Barking Shelby Communications and Elena Acoba, freelance writer; Secretary: Lisa Reed, Dir. of Community Relations, Tucson Sector, U.S. Border Patrol; Finance Director: Michelle Rau, Communications Specialist, Intuit Inc.; Past President: Mimi Villafañe, Communications Services Specialist, Trico Electric Cooperative; Membership Director: Julie Ray, Freelance Writer/Graphic Designer, Julie Ray Creative; Professional Development Director: Geneva Escobedo, Program Manager, Pima Community College; and Communications and Technology Director: Monica Surfaro Spigelman, retired, United Parcel Service Corporate Communications Director.
Journey to the Desert via Brooklyn
By Monica Surfaro Spigelman | March 5th, 2008
I am a writer and crafter who moved to the desert in 2006. I am inspired by the rugged nature of our desert and the cultures and traditions celebrated here. Business communication has been part of my life for about 30 years. My specialties: corporate history, social responsibility, marketing, public relations and employee communications. I blog at Tucson Cowgirl and Arizona Media Mavens.
I traveled to the desert, first for business, then for family fun, each year starting in 1986. Something about the wide open spaces, the earth-color pallete and the glorious mountains called to me. Luckily it called to my husband as well and…when our son Brett graduated college…we picked up and started a new journey. The move to the Southwest has stimulated me and inspired new directions in my life.
Now, in addition to serving as Communications Director of our Tucson IABC chapter, I blog and freelance. I also am crafting. I use buttons, natural fibers and other vintage or found items to craft one-of-a-kind tucson cowgirl gifts - and it’s a great creative outlet for me!
I’ve always believed in the cowgirl aesthetic. It has helped me in business as well as my personal life:
- Love and honor the land
- Be inspired, be ethical
- Take inspiration and energy from mother nature and our native cultures, but always give gifts of yourself in return, and never take more than you need.
The desert calls to many of us. I’m a Brooklyn-styled cowgirl and writer, finding a home in this majestic place.