SBJ takes home 3 national awards at conference

SBJ PHOTO

SBJ Executive Editor Christine Temple and Publisher Marty Goodnight accept awards on behalf of the publication.

Springfield Business Journal was the recipient of three national awards at The Alliance of Area Business Publishers' annual conference.

In the category of medium tabloids based on circulation, SBJ was recognized with silver honors for best feature series, best bylined commentary and best podcast during the AABP's June 21 Editorial Excellence Awards ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The best feature series honor was for Business of the Arts, a business look inside the area arts community by SBJ reporter Karen Craigo.

"Exploring the profits, challenges and successes of artists and arts institutions is a unique lens for subjects that don’t often hit the finance pages," the judges' comments read. "These stories give space to authors to discuss business strategies, or to a dance studio to address workplace challenges. In the process, the stories help open the door for future artists to make a living doing what they do."

SBJ Executive Editor Christine Temple was recognized with two awards for the No Ceiling podcast, in which she interviews local women in business, and her Truth Be Told opinion pieces.

For the best podcast recognition, judges wrote that No Ceiling's "excellent audio production and quality interviews help this podcast effectively spotlight women in the Springfield business community. The host does a great job of connecting with guests, allowing them to share personal stories of struggle and success."

For the Truth Be Told bylined commentary, Temple was recognized by the judges for having "a strong voice that is accessible and approachable, taking sometimes difficult content and laying it out in a clear understandable form."

The judges added, "Readers need not be experts in the subject to gain insights into issues including artificial intelligence, rising burnout and the culture surrounding alcohol consumption."

AABP represents nearly 60 publications in North America with a combined circulation of more than 1.2 million, according to its website.

SBJ last year won one award at the AABP annual conference.