The WICT Network: Heartland Leadership Awards: Call for Nominations

The WICT Network: Heartland Touchstones Summit is back! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, Nov. 1. Check back here for more information about the Summit as we get closer to the event.

The WICT Network: Heartland honors the outstanding achievement and leadership of its members at the chapter’s annual awards summit. Now, in its third year, The WICT Network: Heartland Leadership Awards recognize chapter members who personify the Touchstones and actively enhance the perception of the media, entertainment and technology industry through their community and professional involvement.

We’re pleased to announce this year’s call for nominations. Be sure to read the criteria, qualifications and requirements in the menu below. Then, submit a nomination by using the link below.

2023 Touchstone Awards Nomination Form

Deadline: All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. CT Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, contact sandra.delara@cox.com.

The Emerging Leader Award

Recognizes someone who shows potential to be an influential leader within their organization and the cable, media, entertainment, technology and telecommunications industry. This award is presented to an individual who has established competency and success in their area of expertise and is moving into formal or informal leadership roles.

The Mentor Award

Recognizes a mentor who has a history of investing in the personal and professional development of individuals within the cable telecommunications industry.

The Horizon Award for a WICT Network: Heartland Committee or Board Member

Recognizes a leader on a committee or the board of The WICT Network: Heartland with a consistent record of professional and personal success and execution excellence. He or she is a strong strategic member, a role model and a significant contributor to the growth of our chapter and organization.

The Be a Catalyst Award for Allyship

Recognizes an individual in the cable, media, entertainment, technology and telecommunications industry who has consistently championed diversity, allyship and/or advocacy for others.

The Inspiration Award for Woman of the Year

Recognizes a woman who has had a milestone year and has contributed to the evolution of our industry over the course of her career. She is a visionary leader who is highly regarded by her employees, clients and peers for career achievement, dedication to excellence and quality work-life balance.

Nominations are encouraged for those who significantly contribute to The WICT Network’s mission of developing leaders in particular empowering women leaders.

Award Qualifications and Requirements

The Nominee:

Personifies The WICT Network Touchstones of Leadership and award they are being nominated for.
Actively participates in community and industry organizations.
Is a member of The WICT Network: Heartland, and ideally actively participates in The WICT Network by attending and/or participating in events, helping to secure resources, mentoring, and/or participating in local and/or national leadership.
Cannot currently be an executive member of The WICT Network: Heartland Board of Directors.

We will be asking for:

Your contact information, including title and company address.
Nominee’s contact information, including title and company address.
Nominee’s leader including email address.
Answers to these questions:
1. Confirm the nominee is a current member of The WICT Network: Heartland. If you’re unsure, you can contact sandra.delara@cox.com for verification.
2. Describe how the nominee uniquely meets the award(s) description you are nominating them for. In no more than 500 words, list key attributes and provide quantitative/qualitative results where applicable.

Tip: Draft in advance and then copy and paste into the application form.

Each nomination should include detailed information regarding the nominee’s qualifications and accomplishments.

In 2021, The WICT Network: Heartland hosted the first Touchstone Awards as an opportunity for our members to recognize chapter peers who demonstrate the Touchstones of Leadership.

Nominees for these awards actively enhance the perception of the media, entertainment and technology industry through their community and professional involvement. Presenting a nominee in the best light is essential to submitting an eye-catching and appealing nomination. To grab the attention of the judges, the following tips are recommended.

Follow the rules: Read the instructions and award descriptions carefully. The information requested provides guidance to the judges and allows them to better understand each nominee. Make sure to submit the nomination by the stated deadline, keep each answer within the 500-word limit, and verify the nominee is an active member of The WICT Network: Heartland in good standing who personifies The WICT Network Touchstones of Leadership.
Interview the nominee: Gather more details for the nomination by asking the nominee how they characterize their greatest accomplishments or unique ways they contribute to the company, industry or community. Ask questions noted in the award description and listen for responses to support your ideas.
Be organized and thorough: Judges are reviewing multiple entries, so make their job easier by being clear and thoughtful in your choice of wording. Remember to focus on key aspects of the award category and describe the nominee’s leadership abilities and contributions to their organization, community and industry. Only information included in the nomination will be considered throughout the judging process. A well-written nomination that meets the award criteria helps the judges to know each nominee and why they may be the best candidate for the award.
State the extraordinary: Does your nominee stand out? What makes them exceptional? The judges need to understand how the nominee went above and beyond the daily responsibilities of the job. Be sure to include more than one example.
Show meaningful results: Be sure to measure your results against your stated objectives and include measurable results to document improvement or change, such as revenue generation, cost reduction or number of clients served. For instance, rather than stating “we gained 1,000 customers” replace it with “we gained 1,000 customers, a 50% improvement over last year’s campaign.”
Think diversity: When selecting a nominee, consider those throughout all areas of your organization. These are individuals who had an exceptional year or stepped into greater responsibility and created value for the organization.
Consult public relations: Your media relations, corporate communications and public affairs departments are very familiar with submitting award nominations. They communicate on behalf of your company daily, so if you have never written an award nomination, consider asking for advice and help with the submission.

Nomination Form