Media Library (73)

SIIA Statement on White House Actions to Promote Responsible AI

by Policy

Paul Lekas, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy and Government Affairs, for the Software & Information Industry Association, released the following statement in response to the White House announcement of new actions to promote responsible innovation in artificial intelligence: 

“SIIA applauds the White House for its announcement of new policy initiatives to advance the development and use of responsible artificial intelligence (AI). We are particularly pleased to see a focus on robust engagement with the private sector. Public-private collaboration is critical to advance the opportunities of AI, promote innovation to seize those opportunities, and ensure that AI develops with due regard to safety, security, and civil rights. We look forward to working with the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office on these initiatives.” 

SIIA 2022 Excel FinalistBadge-1

‘Breadth and Diversity Are a Testament…’; 211 Finalists Named for 2023 EXCEL Awards

by Media

The posting of our Neal and EXCEL Awards finalists is always big news. It’s also a time to be proud of the journalism that our members produce—and the coverage they give to issues of the day. At a time when staffing and recruitment are paramount to the industries we cover, “it’s clear,” the National Restaurant Association writes in their EXCEL-finalist DEI Report, “that a genuine DEI culture enhances retention.”

SIIA released the finalists for the 43rd AM&P Network EXCEL Awards—the premier awards program honoring association media. Winners will be announced during a special, in-person awards dinner at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C., on June 27—during AMPLIFY, our Content and Marketing Summit for association media and niche publishers.

“At a time when the importance of quality journalism and publishing has never been greater, we are proud to recognize the exceptional achievements of this year’s EXCEL Awards honorees,” said SIIA President Chris Mohr. “The breadth and diversity of this year’s finalists are a testament to the outstanding talent and creativity within our association industry.”

Over 74 categories, 211 EXCEL Award finalists were carefully selected through a two-stage evaluation process by a panel of more than 100 peer judges. The awards also showcase the prestigious Mitch Mohanna Achievement Award, honoring an industry service provider demonstrating commitment and service to the association media and publishing industry.

It’s always a pleasure—and education—for me to go through the finalists list. Here are five of those that already, in my mind, are winners for their message and process. (Tickets for the EXCEL Awards Gala can be ordered here.)

Provide solutions—and get sponsors. For Best Campaign, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation put together a multi-pronged campaign. There’s a DEI Report that measures the DEI environment in the hospitality industry. There’s a framework for members to implement their own program called Elevate: A Menu for Change. There’s distribution sponsorship from American Express and the #FairKitchens movement (founded by Unilever Food Solutions). You can also watch a Webinar on Demand titled: “The 2022 DEI Report: Diversity matters to your employees. How important is it to you?” It’s a solutions-oriented approach.

Give voice to an underrepresented group. In the Dedicated Issue category, a finalist is Out and Proud: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Chemists, from American Chemical Society’s Chemical & Engineering News. “I’d like to open this essay by confronting a question that inevitably gets asked whenever the chemistry community does something to feature its LGBTQ+ members: Why do we need to highlight LGBTQ+ scientists?” writes guest editor Tehshik P. Yoon, a much heralded professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “…My answer is that a focus on LGBTQ+ chemists is warranted, timely, and critically necessary.”

Make it easy for your audience to share. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association is a finalist for Best Blog Site (Overall) for their Right Heart Blog. The page starts with a paragraph asking readers to Share Your Story With Our Right Heart Blog. “Living with a serious and rare diagnosis like pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be isolating. The PHA community is a network where people can connect with others who aren’t just living with PH, they’re living their best lives… Interested in sharing your story? Fill out the form.” The form progresses gently: “Would you like to see some questions to get you started?” Below that are the moving stories and photos from their audience.

Use video to promote a product. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a finalist in the General Audience Book category for Terrance the Hothead: A Book to Help Children Manage Big Feelings. In the ASHA Store, author Lisa Cloherty, also a speech pathologist, explains in a video the book’s development. “There is so much incredible work being done to bring social emotional awareness to young children today. It inspired me to create a story about a big-hearted teapot who can’t stop blowing his lid.”

Create a personalized dashboard for your audience. For Best New Innovation, the Credit Union Executives Society was chosen as a finalist for their CUES Member Dashboard. When members log in, they’re directed to the dashboard to “find an experience tailored just for them.” myCUES Dashboard features include: easy access to member benefits; recommended learning opportunities and events; access to assigned and completed courses; and curated content. There’s also a single sign-on feature—an often undervalued element.

For more information on the EXCEL Awards, click here. And again, the full list of finalists can be found here.

 

Media Library (69)

SIIA’s Statement on FTC’s Proposed Changes to 2020 Facebook Order

by Policy

In response to the Federal Trade Commission’s announcement proposing changes to the 2020 privacy order with Facebook, the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) issued a statement expressing concern about the lack of authority and legal basis for the action. Chris Mohr, President of the Software & Information Industry Association, released the following statement:

“The Federal Trade Commission today overreached again prioritizing press hits over policy and demonizing American businesses and good faith efforts to improve privacy protections for Americans. It’s easy to issue releases that will garner headlines but the Commission has an obligation to ensure it grounds its enforcement actions in law. Its recent order lacks that grounding. Unfortunately, today’s action is yet an other distraction from real enforcement on bad actors.”

Media Library (63)

SIIA Letter on SF 2744, the Minnesota Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

by Policy

SIIA writes about the current language in SF 2744, the Minnesota Age-Appropriate Design Code Act. We appreciate the intent of sponsors to enact policies that protect Minnesotans, especially children and teenagers but are concerned how the bill may impact Minnesota schools and, more broadly, the rights of minors in the state. We are hopeful that policymakers will continue to work to refine language either before the end of this session or before the next legislative session, so all rights of Minnesota children are protected. We are hopeful that a bill can be passed with the support of all stakeholders.

While there are similarities in requirements between the law protecting student privacy and the proposed Minnesota Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, the slight differences in requirements may cause confusion for compliance teams requiring them to pick and choose the legal framework that isn’t designed for the school setting. SIIA’s membership is dedicated to providing tools that protect the privacy and safety of all Minnesotans.

Accessing educational information, along with things like news and entertainment, is a right established by Article 13 in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As the Convention states, a child “shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.”

We are concerned that certain provisions in this legislation, as currently written, may unnecessarily prevent access to critical information and harm the well-being of Minnesota’s children. Requirements to choose the well-being as defined by the bill versus other interests such as the right to access information may lead to businesses taking steps to mitigate legal risk and aggressively block online content no matter the newsworthiness, appropriateness, or educational value of the information.

In a worst-case scenario, Minnesota’s children may fall behind other children in the country if they are left without access to factual information online to develop critical skills and knowledge to become fully engaged citizens after they turn 18. Skills for adulthood and the workforce require access to the internet and, while this bill attempts to foster the growth of an internet that does that, it unfortunately misses the mark.

Read Full Letter Here
Media Library (62)

SIIA Announces Finalists for the 2023 AM&P Network EXCEL Awards

by Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda McMaster, VP Awards and Recognition Programs

SIIA Announces Finalists for the 2023 AM&P Network EXCEL Awards

211 association media professionals recognized in peer-reviewed awards program

WASHINGTON, DC (May 1, 2023) – The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) released today the finalists for the 43rd AM&P Network EXCEL Awards – the premier awards program honoring association media. Winners will be announced during a special in-person awards ceremony held at the National Housing Center in Washington DC on June 27, 2023. 

The EXCELS are the largest and most prestigious program recognizing excellence and leadership in association media, publishing, marketing and communication. 

“At a time when the importance of quality journalism and publishing has never been greater, we are proud to recognize the exceptional achievements of this year’s EXCEL Awards honorees,” said SIIA President Chris Mohr. “The breadth and diversity of this year’s finalists is a testament to the outstanding talent and creativity within our association industry.  We extend our sincere congratulations to all of the finalists, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at the upcoming EXCEL Awards ceremony in June.”

Through 74 categories, 211 EXCEL Award finalists were carefully selected through a two-stage evaluation process by a panel of more than 100 peer judges. For a full list of the EXCEL Award finalists, please visit HERE 

The award placement (gold, silver, bronze) of these 211 finalists will be announced at the June 27 EXCEL Gala, in conjunction with AMPLIFY: AM&P Network’s Content and Marketing Summit.  The EXCEL Awards will conclude with the announcement of the EXTRA! Award, the highest honor chosen from among the winners in all categories. 

The EXCEL Awards also showcase the prestigious Mitch Mohanna Achievement Award, venerating an industry service provider demonstrating commitment and service to the association media and publishing industry. 

For more information on the EXCELs, visit siia.net/excel.

In addition to the EXCEL Awards, SIIA is also the producer of two other celebrated recognition programs:

  • April 21: Jesse H. Neal Awards, recognizing excellence in B2B journalism
  • June 21 and 22: CODiE Awards, honoring excellence in business and education technology

About SIIA:
SIIA is the only professional organization connecting more than 500 data, financial information, education technology, specialized content and publishing companies. Our diverse members provide the critical data, content, and information that drives the global economy, informs financial networks, connects learners and educators, and drives innovation. Learn more at siia.net.