We recognize the best of Kansas City

 

KC IABC has a renowned tradition of honoring the best work of marketing communications professionals. Awards are given in a broad cross-section of communications disciplines and demonstrate the skill that’s applied in the marketplace.

Arthur Lowell Award
Floyd Walker Incredible Award

KC Quills
The KC Quills honor communicators’ achievements in categories including:

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

  • Employee Engagement

  • Customer Relations

  • Employee Engagement

  • Social Media Programs

  • Audio/Visual

  • Corporate Writing

  • Digital Communication

  • Non-Profit Writing

  • Publications

  • Special Events

Arthur Lowell Award Winners
This prestigious award recognizes business communicators who exhibit the qualities of excellence, achievement and civic involvement. Learn more about qualities and qualifications of Lowell winners.
Our winners include:

  • 2021 – Angela Connelly

  • 2020 – Megan Neher

  • 2019 – Sheri Johnson, APR

  • 2018 – Matt Tidwell, Ph.D., APR

  • 2016 – Dean Rodenbough

  • 2015 – Matt Anthony

  • 2014 – Michelle Keller

  • 2012 – Mike Goff

  • 2011 – Anne Canfield

  • 2010 – Tom Murphy

  • 2009 – Eric Morgenstern, APR, Fellow PRSA

  • 2008 – Gary Godbout

  • 2007 – Randy Williams, ABC

  • 2006 – Jeff Xouris

  • 2005 – Barb Schulte

  • 2004 – Lori (Joseph) Wiles

  • 2003 – Julie Bartels Smith, ABC

  • 2002 – Larry Wheeler

  • 2001 – Deb Turpin

  • 2000 – Chris Watkins

Qualifications and nominating criteria for the Arthur E. Lowell Award
The Arthur E. Lowell Award is the highest honor given by the Kansas City chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (KC IABC). Named for the late Arthur E. Lowell, the first honorary lifetime member of the chapter, the award recognizes business communicators in the Kansas City area who have exhibited ethical excellence, outstanding professional achievement and vigorous community involvement.

Qualities of Winning Candidates

The Arthur Lowell Award winner will be:

  • Recognized as a leader in the Kansas City communications community.

  • Actively involved in promoting the Kansas City communications industry.

  • Generous with his/her time in the community and to nonprofit organizations.

  • Highly cooperative with other industry leaders.

  • Committed to a high-quality work product.

  • Striving for excellence in personal and professional conduct.

  • Outstanding as a teacher and mentor for our industry.

  • Outgoing, charismatic and dedicated to the ideals of the IABC-Kansas City.

Essential Selection Criteria for Award Candidates

  • The winner must work in the Kansas City communications industry and live in the Kansas City area.

  • Though the winner does not have to be an IABC member, a history of active involvement in the chapter will be considered a favorable quality during the selection process.

  • The winner must have been actively involved in the communications industry for at least 15 consecutive years.

  • The IABC does not intend for the Lowell honor to be a “first step” award. Rather, the winner will likely have already won other industry awards.

  • The award will not be a surprise to the winner. IABC-Kansas City’s past president OR the Masters SIG director will contact the winner in advance of the ceremony.

Responsibilities of the Winner
The Arthur Lowell Award winner will be asked to be an advocate for the communications industry as a whole and specifically advocate for the KC IABC throughout the year. The main focus of the winner’s message will be the value of communications and how we each can positively impact the future of the communications industry and the Kansas City community as a whole.

Specific Duties

  • Help coordinate a fundraising event at a nonprofit of the winner’s choice. The IABC board will plan and pay for the event.

  • Attend the KC IABC Business Communicators Summit to welcome attendees and advocate for chapter membership/involvement. Lead a breakout session if appropriate.

  • Write one or more blog entries for the IABC-Kansas City.

  • Act as an extra chapter spokesperson for any speaking or publicity opportunities. The board president will remain as the primary spokesperson.

Floyd Walker Incredible Award
The Floyd Walker Incredible Award is reserved for KC IABC volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty in serving the chapter. In 2002, the award was renamed to honor the late Floyd Walker for his sustained contributions to the chapter. The award recognizes members whose service and commitment are “too extraordinary to believe.” We’re thankful for the incredible service of these volunteers:

  • 2021 – Brenda Poor and Michele Sherpy

  • 2020 – Stacey Dickson

  • 2019 – Joyce Allard

  • 2018 – Roy Harryman

  • 2016 – Elaine Symanski

  • 2015 – Julie Bartels Smith

  • 2014 – Anna Lewis

  • 2013 – Chris Lakin, Stacey Dickson

  • 2012 – Paul Arnold, Connie Fish

  • 2011 – Roy Harryman, Donna Schwartze

  • 2010 – Donna Schwartze, Nancy Shawver

  • 2009 – Justin Goldsborough, Gary Deardorff

  • 2008 – Melanie Deardorff, Sue O'Neil Jessee

  • 2007 – Kim Romary, Clara Miller

  • 2006 – Justin Scott, Lisa Bowser

  • 2005 – Mike McLaughlin, Andy DiOrio

  • 2004 – Holly Jenks, Amanda Denning

  • 2003 – Scott Loewen, Shawna Hampton

  • 2002 – Michelle Moore, Sandy Vivian

  • 2001 – Gary Lofstrom, Cathy Chatfield-Taylor, Kara Krehbiel