Official magazine, the plumbing and mechanical industry trade periodical and membership publication of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), is the recipient of three 2009 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. The honors are the product of the 21st annual competition sponsored by Communications Concepts, Inc., and the editors of “Writing That Works: The Business Communications Report.”
Co-editors Geoff Bilau and Jeff Ortiz received an Award of Excellence in the category of “Best Redesigns” for the revamped Spring 2009 issue of Official and Bilau won an Award of Excellence in “Feature Writing” for his on-location reporting about the United Association’s 2008 Apprentice Competition in Ann Arbor, Mich., titled “The Best of the Best.” In addition to these staff honors, contributing writer Anne V. Sonner received an Award of Excellence in the category of “Scientific & Environmental Writing” for her comprehensive examination of rainwater harvesting titled “When It Rains, It Stores.”
The awards mark the fourth consecutive year APEX has bestowed such honors upon Official. Last year the magazine was recognized for being among the best print magazines and journals of 32 pages or more and former editor Jane Lee won for “Science & Environmental Writing.” In 2006, the magazine won for “Most Improved Magazines and Journals” and in 2007 contributing writer and former editor Colleen Salomon won for “Technical Writing.”
“Our magazine staff brings great honor and awareness to The IAPMO Group of organizations,” said Russ Chaney, IAPMO executive director. “As importantly, through their expertise and knowledge, they repeatedly convey the important role the plumbing industry plays in protecting public health and safety and the critical, but often overlooked role played by labor, contractors and inspectors with their day-to-day contributions to this important goal of protecting the public from harmful contaminants and potentially hazardous plumbing systems.”
APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. With 3,785 entries, the 2009 competition was exceptionally intense. Awards were given in 11 main categories including: newsletters; magazines and journals; magapapers and newspapers; annual reports; brochures, manuals and reports; video and electronic publications; Web and intranet sites; campaigns, programs and plans; writing; design and illustration; and special publications.
Official has been published continuously for 51 years. The first issue of the magazine, then known as Western Plumbing Official, was introduced in April 1958.
In June, Official received a Gold Communicator Award of Excellence in the International Academy of the Visual Arts’ 15th Annual Communicator Awards in the category of “Association Magazine.” It is the highest honor awarded in the international competition.
Last modified: July 7, 2009