Contact East '98 Awards of Excellence

Contact East '98 has initiated a series of awards to recognize excellence and achievement in the field of live performance touring and presentation in Atlantic Canada.

Since the inception of the industry conference and trade show 23 years ago, the number of community and professional presenters has grown throughout Atlantic Canada, as has the number of performers who tour the region annually. The Contact East Awards will celebrate this growth and recognize the accomplishments of presenters and performers who comprise the touring sector.

Five awards will be presented at Contact East '98, to be held Sept. 24-26 at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville. These are:

• The Community Presenters Award to recognize excellence and achievement by an individual or organization in a volunteer capacity to present touring performances, such as long-term involvement, commitment to excellence in programming, or contribution to community life.

• The Professional Presenters Award to recognize excellence and achievement by an individual or organization in a professional capacity to present touring performances, such as long-term commitment, commitment to excellence in programming and professionalism, or contribution to community life and/or to the touring sector in Atlantic Canada.

• The Award for Marketing and Promotion Innovation to recognize innovative and successful initiatives to increase audiences for touring performance, such as co-operative or joint promotion ventures, series innovation, or creative sponsorships.

• The Touring Performers Award to recognize performers whose professionalism and co-operative spirit enhance their relationship with presenters, such as co-operation in performance promotion, technical facilitation, contract fulfilment, or service above and beyond contractual agreement.

• The Performing Arts Touring Award of Excellence to recognize the commitment and contribution of an individual to touring performance presentation in Atlantic Canada, such as long-term involvement, commitment to excellence, or contribution to community life and/or to touring sector growth.

The Contact East Awards Committee, composed of presenters, performers and financial and other supporters, is calling for nominees for the awards. Nominations must be submitted to Contact East '98 on an official nomination form by Sept. 1.

For more information, contact Pamela Kinsman, executive director of the Performing Arts Society of Nova Scotia, at 902-798-3893 or fax 902-798-0557.