The Best In Maryland Awards recognizes the individuals and teams that represent the exemplary contribution of public relations profession in Maryland. This year the awards are focusing on the individuals rather than the work product. The awards will be presented on the evening of Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Baltimore's 1840s Ballroom. The event is open to all professionals and features a keynote address by Bill Toohey, communications director for the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, who has been named Baltimore's Best Public Sector PR Man. Click here for more information and registration.

The nomination deadline is April 2 for all awards except the student scholarship which is extended to April 18.

Best In Maryland Awards Categories
Lifetime Achievement Award
New Professional of The Year
Educator of the Year
Partner of Distinction (One Vendor/Supplier)
Kathleen Kelly Undergraduate Scholarship
Social Media (Individual Or Team)
Improvement of the State Award (Team Or Individual, Paid Or Pro Bono)
Innovation and Technology (Team Only)

To nominate an individual or team or self-nominate: Complete the appropriate application including a short explanation of how the nominee meets the qualifications for the award. To assist the award panel, it is recommended – but optional except for the student scholarship – to include letters of recommendation.

To submit your nomination: Send to the PRSA Maryland Office. It is strongly recommended to submit via email (info@prsamd.org) or fax (866-868-7772). Mail or drop-off to PRSA Maryland, c/o Mariner Management, 11804 Bare Sky Lane, Columbia, MD 21044. Questions can be directed to PRSA Maryland at 866-868-7772.

Lifetime Achievement Award
PRSA Maryland Chapter Award honors a recipient who has exhibited extraordinary achievement and outstanding leadership in the field of public relations throughout a career spanning 15 or more years. The award recognizes a history of participation in PRSA or other organizations dedicated to advancement of the communications profession; effective counsel to clients and employers; and conduct consistent with the PRSA Code of Ethics. Recipients shall have contributed greatly to the practice of public relations in Maryland and shall have been active PRSA – Maryland Chapter members for five or more years though need not be members at the time of nomination. Click here to submit nomination.

New Professional of the Year Award
The PRSA Maryland New Professional recognizes a rising star in the PR profession. Nominees shall be employed full-time in the practice of public relations for three or fewer years; demonstrate an understanding of the principles of public relations; effectively support his/her clients' or company's communications objectives; demonstrate ethical behavior in accordance with the PRSA Code of Ethics; exhibit conduct consistent with the highest standards of professionalism when dealing with clients and colleagues at all levels of their organization. Nominees need not be PRSA members. Click here to submit nomination.

Educator of the Year
The PRSA Maryland Educator of the Year award recognizes and honors exemplary undergraduate and graduate public relations/communications professors that are excellent instructors and education leaders in their schools and communities, and who have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of students within public relations/communications. Nominees must be teaching at a Maryland college or university. Nominees do not need to be a PRSA-MD member to be nominated; however, PRSSA Chapter involvement is highly regarded. Click here to submit nomination.

Partner of Distinction (one vendor/supplier)
This award celebrates the profession's partners. The recipient of this award is a vendor or supplier recognized for outstanding support of a public relations/communications program or the profession as a whole. This category is open for nominations from companies and vendors/suppliers. Nominees do not need to be a PRSA-MD member to be nominated. Click here to submit nomination.

Kathleen Kelly Undergraduate Scholarship Award
The scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates excellent academic credentials and the potential for a successful public relations career. The purpose of the award is to honor the outstanding achievements of an individual public relations student; encourage all students to strive to high levels of performance and participation as they prepare for careers in public relations. Click here for details.

Social Media (individual or team)
The recipient of the Social Media Innovative Award must have shown exceptional innovative techniques and strategies integrating social media tools throughout cross functional channels (i.e., campaign integration). Nominees do not need to be a PRSA-MD member to be nominated. Click here to submit nomination.

Improvement Of The State Award (team or individual, paid or pro bono)
This award recognizes the role of public relations in sustaining a vibrant Maryland. The recipient of this Award is an individual or team who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship to the State of Maryland by contributing paid or pro bono expertise to an important organization or issue that bettered Maryland citizens or helped position Maryland in a better way. Nominees do not need to be a PRSA-MD member to be nominated. Click here to submit nomination.

Innovation and Technology (team only)
The award celebrates innovation in public relations and communications. The purpose of this award is to highlight new approaches, tools, and techniques in the public relations field. The recipient of the Innovation and Technology Award must have shown quality and creative applications of emerging technology or innovative techniques towards a program, presentation, communication strategy or online platform such as a website. Nominees do not need to be a PRSA-MD member to be nominated. Click here to submit nomination.