The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s (IALR) Public Relations and Communications team won four Gold Summit Awards from the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The 2020 Blue Ridge Chapter Summit Awards event was held virtually and winners were announced via video. Out of the 12 tactic categories awarded, Communications Manager Allison Moore and Graphic and Multimedia Specialist Daniel Dalton earned the highest award of gold in the four categories of Annual Report, Newsletter, Website and Video. 
The IALR newsletter, which is produced monthly in print and electronic format to summarize the activities and accomplishments of the organization’s five divisions, won gold for the sixth consecutive year. The newsletters can be viewed at www.ialr.org/newsletters.The goal of IALR’s 2019 Annual Report was to create a compelling and engaging product with emphasis placed on a more effective and efficient distribution. The main focus was on reducing cost and time spent on distribution while still effectively reaching the target audience through expanded electronic formats. The award-winning annual report can be viewed here: www.ialr.org/annual-reports.
The new Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC) website, developed and launched with oversight by IALR, who serves as the fiscal agent, provides a hub for communications efforts with links from promotional merchandise, literature and social media for the GO TEC program. The website can be viewed at www.gotecva.org.
IALR’s analytical chemistry lab has become a leader in Virginia’s growing hemp industry, but the department recognized there was confusion about why discrepancies existed in test results from different labs. IALR led crafting of a video series, including an introductory video summarizing the six main causes for lab-to-lab testing discrepancies as well as follow-up videos that focused on each of the six causes to help alleviate the concerns.
The Summit awards are open to all professional public relations practitioners and students and the material must be produced by or for an organization based in the Blue Ridge Chapter area. The entries are reviewed and decided by a panel of judges from the Agricultural Relations Council Chapter of PRSA.
The Public Relations Society of America Blue Ridge Chapter is a professional association serving Central and Southwest Virginia public relations practitioners. Founded in 1992, the chapter strives to bring together professionals to enhance the practice, provide an exchange of experiences and ideals, and promote professional development.
