The Board of Directors for the Indiana Broadcasters Association is reversing a previous decision and has decided to move forward with the annual Spectrum Awards on Thursday, November 17, at the 502 East Event Centre in Carmel.
The IBA board recently voted unanimously to reinstate the Awards as a benefit to member stations and to continue the important tradition of honoring the best in radio and television broadcasting.
“Because of the loss of our major Public Education Program (PEP) sponsor last year, it was with great hesitation that the IBA decided to initially cancel the 2016 Spectrum Awards. But after successfully re-starting PEP this summer, we knew we had to find a way to bring the event back this year,” said IBA board chairman, Dave Crooks. “We know the Spectrum Awards are a popular and important program of the IBA, so the board is re-instating the awards and also adding to the educational elements with an Indiana Broadcasters Conference.”
The November 17th Indiana Broadcasters Conference will include tracks for sales, engineering, programming, management, and educational broadcasters.
Details and registration for the Conference will be announced soon.
“This year’s Spectrum Awards and Fairbanks Hall of Fame ceremony will look a little different from previous years and is being planned based directly on input from our members. One of the greatest challenges in the past has been the length of the program. While it is important to take the time to honor our broadcasters, we want to offer an awards program that is impactful and celebratory,” said Dave Arland, Executive Director of the IBA.
So, several adjustments were made to streamline the event including reducing the number of awards and holding the ceremony as a lunch along with the annual Hall-of-Fame ceremony. Details on the shortened Spectrum category list will be shared shortly.
Entries will remain at $30 per submission, but, new this year, stations may enter up to five entries per category, up from three in previous years.
“Bringing back the Spectrum Awards is a direct testament to the support and commitment of our members,” said Crooks. “The revenue generated from our TV and radio stations participating in the PEP made it possible to reinstate the Awards and offer additional member benefits in the future. We are fortunate to have members willing to collaborate to create these opportunities.”
