( Added: June 22, 2009 ) - The Dallas chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC Dallas) announced today the 2009 Quill Awards Call for Entries with special pricing this year that includes multiple-entry discounts for entries submitted by the Tuesday, June 30, early bird deadline, as well as first-time entrant discounts. The final entry deadline is Thursday, July 9. This year’s theme of “Legendary” signifies the importance of the annual awards competition in showcasing participants’ best work in communications management, technical skills and creativity. Winning entries will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, September 30, at the legendary Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture in Dallas.

“The IABC Dallas Quill Awards are among the most prestigious honors available for area marketing, communications and graphic design professionals,” said Gayle Goodman, president of IABC Dallas. “They represent an outstanding opportunity for participants to get the recognition they deserve for their work in a variety of professional applications.

“In today’s marketplace, it is more important than ever for communicators to increase their personal branding success. We look forward to honoring the best-in-class achievements of this year’s legendary communicators,” she added.

The Quill Awards, which are open to all Dallas/Fort Worth-area marketing and communication professionals, include 24 specialized categories within three divisions. Division 1: Communications Management includes projects, programs and campaigns defined by a communications plan to achieve organizational objectives that demonstrate a range of planning and management skills. Division II: Communications Skills includes individual communication elements that showcase technical skills, such as writing, newsletters, Web sites, editing and design. Division III: Communications Creative focuses on creative talent and design in an essential communications function.

Within these divisions, categories cover strategic campaigns, interactive media, media relations, digital communications, audio visual projects, publications, original writing, marketing collateral, advertising, multilingual communications, graphic design, annual reports, speeches, employee communications, issues management (industrial, manufacturing commercial and retail sales; services - utilities, health care, insurance, finance; government, associations, non-profits), and others.

This year’s early bird entry fees, which are available through June 30, are: IABC members - $55 for the first entry and $45 for each additional entry; non-members - $65 for the first entry and $55 for each additional entry; and students - $25 per entry. Fees for entries submitted between July 1 and the July 9 final deadline are: IABC members - $75 for the first entry and $65 for each additional entry; non-members - $85 for the first entry and $75 for each additional entry; and college students - $30 per entry. First-time entrants (those who have not entered within the last three years) qualify for a 10 percent discount on the final deadline rates. PayPal is being introduced as a payment option in addition to checks, MasterCard or VISA payments.

Additional information, including the entry form, is available in the 2009 Dallas Quill section of the IABC Dallas Web site at http://iabcdallas.com. Also available to assist with questions are Kristi Cooper, award entries coordinator, at 214-954-0522 x 21 or Kristi@peterson.com; and Quill co-chairs Nancy Del Regno at ndelregno@hotmail.com and Peggy Norton at peggy.norton@verizon.com.