Organisers for this year’s Print Industry Creativity Awards (PICA) have extended the deadline for award submissions until 5pm on 14 May.
Visual Connections, which is organising the awards, said this is a result of requests from many intending entrants for the extra period of grace.
The awards, which recognise and celebrate the achievement of excellence in the print and wider graphic communications sector, has been open for entries for some six weeks, but Visual Connections CEO Peter Harper said the organisation has had a flood of calls from businesses requesting an extension.
“This is a perennial challenge for the awards, but it’s been amplified this year as market demand is picking up while businesses are still coming to terms with COVID-safe operation and staffing levels,” he said.
“Many businesses have told us they are intending to enter but simply haven’t had the time to fill out the online entry form, while others are busy trying to locate samples of work done while only a skeleton staff was on-site – so there are multiple challenges”.
By revising the timelines for judging, a two-week extension has been made available for those still wanting to enter. But Harper warns, “this is it”.
“We have a very full judging program to get through, plus winning entries all need to be photographed for the production of the awards books. So, while we are happy to be as accommodating as we can, there will be no further extensions,” he said.
Submit work into the print or design categories, or nominate a business or industry leader for recognition without delay.
Once the online entry is submitted, physical copies can be posted but must arrive at the Visual Connections Sydney offices by close of business on 14 May.
Judging for the awards will be held in Sydney during May, with winners announced at the PICA Presentations during July – SA on 2 July, Victoria on 9 July, NSW on 16 July, Queensland on 23 July, and WA on 31 July.
Winners at the state PICA will automatically be entered into the 38th National Print Awards, with the national honours presented at the industry’s ‘night of nights’ on 30 September during PacPrint in Melbourne.
Print & Visual Communications members are entitled to claim their first entry free of charge.
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