Citizen Relations’ Post

📝 New blog! 📝 The Secret Shopper Program is back for summer, so you have until June 17 to register your business and assess your team’s performance. Read more about the program – and why you should register (prizes, shout outs, and the chance to be named as a finalist in our Whistler Excellence Awards) – in our latest blog. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/diJUZxTS

Having a blast at this year's National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) conference! If you are here, stop by CENTIENT IMAGINE booth 1050 (right across from Google) and grab some swag! Defining new norms is all about creating standards and practices that reflect our evolving values as a community. It means challenging outdated beliefs and making space for diverse voices in decision-making. By rethinking how we do things, we can foster a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative environment. Why is this important? Because it helps promote fairness and ensures everyone gets a seat at the table. When we welcome fresh ideas, we spark creativity and find better solutions for the challenges we face. Plus, when people feel valued and heard, they’re more likely to engage and make an impact in their communities. By defining new norms today, we’re paving the way for a brighter, more connected tomorrow for all of us!

Still Thinking of Entering? There's Still Time! There is still plenty of time to submit a knockout entry into the 2024 Event Awards. Past entrants have reported needing only a couple of hours to pull together their entry...don't forget - you've already done all the thinking, designed and delivered the event or achievement - all you have to do is put it into words and tell us about it! With the new, simplified entry form, with a maximum of 2,600 words, it's easier than ever to enter. Tell the Judges about you event or achievement, what did you achieve, what were the complexities, how was it creative and an asset to the industry, what were your challenges? If you start today, that's only 434 words a day to get to the finish line! https://lnkd.in/g8P-s-NG

THERE ARE TOO MANY SPIRIT COMPETITIONS! 🏆🏆🏆 In a world where spirit competitions have proliferated, most fall short in delivering tangible value to brands. You're likely familiar with the landscape: numerous contests, hefty entry fees, and awards that, while relevant within narrow circles, don't resonate with the broader consumer base or stretch beyond limited locales. The result? A shiny medal on your website but a questionable impact on your bottom line. So why a new one? The answer is simple: to revolutionize how your brand is recognized and how your entry dollars are leveraged. America's Best Spirits Awards was born from a desire to bridge the gap between industry accolades and consumer recognition, ensuring that your investment extends its reach far beyond what traditional competitions offer. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/e7KahbWe

When I first started in the Industry, speaking on stage was about credibility and content to deliver. Nowadays, it's all paid but these stage topics' popularity has decreased too. I guess everyone is looking for the right business model. Yet, it shouldn't be at the cost of poor content or such only purposed to sell. We used to be way more creative 😁 Which are the conferences you are going to after the summertime? #clinicaltrials #clinicalresearch #conferences

The internal reflection, review and marketing and more that Business Awards can bring to your your business all add to the value of your precious asset.

Today, I had the privilege of attending KML's Top 30 Under 30 Summit. Thank you The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto and Sam for giving me and my colleagues this opportunity. And congratulations to Aaron for the well-deserved award! We're so proud of you! 🎉 I arrived already expecting to learn, but the panel sessions far exceeded my expectations. I'm excited to share my key takeaways: 📝"Diversity" extends beyond race, age, and gender orientation to include learning abilities. Most people who work in FOH are experiential learners, retaining information better through hands-on experience. Training should be tailored accordingly, rather than relying solely on PowerPoint slides or written materials. 📝Encourage every associate to collaborate and contribute to changes; give them a sense of purpose. 📝When hiring, shift the focus from "Will they stay?" to "How do we retain them?"; what we should be looking for, especially in the service industry, is Authenticity. 📝Going Green— This shouldn't mean taking away amenities or putting the burden on the guests in any way, it means offering an alternative. 📝Pre-Shifts— the hallmark of service excellence; setting the mood for associates and keeping them informed impacts guest's experiences more than you think.

What goes into creating winning award entries? We're lucky to have a few wins under our belt, as well as judging industry and comms awards across the years. Missive's Whitney Simon, Erin Lovett, Nicola Koronka and Emma Ross reveal what the judges are looking for when they're deciding on the all important gold medals, including: 🟡 Why entering awards is important 🟡 How to win awards 🟡 Telling a compelling story with your entry 🟡 Providing quantifiable results and evidence https://lnkd.in/eJM_NnHc

Nominate your favourite businesses now

Our latest Chamber Report is out! It's been a full few months at the Chamber, check out the report to catch up on everything we've been up to. Highlights include: - People First launch - New mayors come together for Impact event - Local leaders gain insight from the Upstate - Lowcountry Careers Collaborative enters new phase - Young professionals learn from CYP alumni - Lowcountry Minority Business Partnership releases resource guide Read the report here: https://bit.ly/3W5KyWn