When I was getting ready for the Addys, I wanted something to read to give me an idea of what to expect. Most everything I found was from different ad clubs across the country. But I wanted something from the perspective of a first time attendee, like me.
I didn’t find an article like that, but now I’ve attended and figured I’d write one myself.
SOME CONTEXT
I’m a designer in Amarillo, Texas — we’re a small city in the Texas panhandle. Also, I work at a print shop, not an agency, and I’m just starting out in our ad club. And I went by myself, because I’m a real cool lone wolf like that.
THINGS I OVERTHOUGHT
My invitation said I should wear a sweater, and I did. I wore a sweater with a pair of slacks and some dress shoes. I was pretty worried that I’d turn up and everyone else would be in a suit, but that didn’t happen.
There were some people wearing suits, but it looked like they were further along in their careers than me — most other guys like me were dressed like I was.
The most casual clothes I saw were probably flannels and jeans, and nobody seemed to care.
THE SOCIAL HOUR
The invitation said I should get there at 6 for hors d’oeuvres, but I didn’t want to be the first one there so I turned up around 6:15. I feel like that was just right, everyone else was getting there around then.
I was all keyed up so I immediately made an ass of myself when checking in. A guy I’d met started talking to the guy behind me in line, and I thought he was talking to me. So I injected myself into the conversation like an idiot. And I got my badass social mistake out of the way early.
I checked in, and they assigned me a table. Homebase.
The next 45 minutes or so was social time. We were meant to meet the others at our table, or chat with other people we knew.
AND THEN
We had a damn funny emcee (Chris Smith from the Richards Group). Man, this guy was awesome.
Not much to say about this part. But when they announced a winner, the winner stood up and someone brought the award over. They didn’t have to get up on stage or anything like that. They also showed montages representing the work the winner won for.
After a couple hours, there was an intermission and they did the same for the student Addys. And then there were special awards for those that made huge impact on the local ad community. These winners did have to take the stage. But I guess when you’re ready to get an award like that, you’re pretty much ready for that sort of thing.
DISMISSED
There was no socializing after the ceremony was over. More like ringing a school bell in school, everyone climbing over each other to get to the door. Only real dignified.
AND SO
I wore a sweater and slacks, turned up 15 minutes into the social hour, and met probably ten people. The ceremony was probably like 4 1/2 hours total. And it was pretty fun.
Tweet This Post