With 2015 in full swing we are now entering awards season, starting with the prestigious IR Magazine Awards in Toronto on February 4. CIRI boasts many members who came away winners, including four of our National Board members: Bruce Mann (Rogers Communications Inc.), Rudy Sankovic (TD Bank Group), Brian Ector (Baytex Energy Corp.) and Chaya Cooperberg (Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.). Congratulations to ALL the nominees and winners for your outstanding achievements!

CIRI has its own awards and recognitions, and this year we are adding a new distinction called the Fellowship Program – the highest accolade for IR professionals in Canada. The CIRI Fellowship will be awarded to IROs who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the IR profession and CIRI throughout their careers. This honourary designation will recognize CIRI members who, by their achievements, bring distinction to the profession and serve as role models for others. The 2015 Fellows will be announced at the Annual Conference in Banff in June.

In addition to the Fellowship Program, we will also be awarding the CIRI Award for Excellence in Investor Relations and the Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations. The Award for Excellence is given by CIRI to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the IR profession and/or to CIRI. The Belle Mulligan Award recognizes individuals who have shown singular leadership in one or more aspects of the practice of IR. These could include new or improved applications of technology, progressive approaches to disclosure, outstanding mentorship, or remarkable leadership in many other aspects of IR. The award is named for Belle Mulligan (1940-2009), who in addition to being a founder of CIRI was a leader, a mentor, and a standard setter in the IR profession.

I encourage you to start thinking about the IROs who are deserving of these awards and keep an eye out for more information, including nomination instructions and submission deadlines.

As always, I welcome your comments, questions and feedback on anything CIRI related. I can be reached at mbrown@edrsilver.com or by phone on (604) 640-4804.