On June 1st, I went on my first business trip and attended the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Awards Gala in Ottawa. The main reason I attended the gala was because Akendi (the company I worked for) sponsored the design of the Excel Award. And the designer of the award… was ME! I also helped organize the sponsorship materials for Akendi by creating the Akendi corporate video, ads and gala bag goodies for the event. So the company decided to let me go see the award in person!

The trip began with a 4-hour drive to Ottawa with my Colleague. When we arrived in Ottawa, we went to Akendi’s Ottawa office and I got to see the space. Then, we checked into the hotel and I got ready. The hotel room was lovely with a kitchenette and walk-in-closet! Except for the fact it was very humid and hot even with the AC on MAX.

This is where the Gala was held –The Fairmont Chateau Laurier. It was gorgeous!

As for the award, I designed this to communicate the definition and vision of IABC -the voice of ottawa’s communicators. It is inspired by resonating sound and voice through the progressive shape. It was amazing to see the award that was once in my sketch book and computer screen to become a real physical crystal award.

At the end of the night, Katie did a mini night car tour of downtown Ottawa before heading back. Parliament looked amazing! And we decided to drop by Pure Gelato and get some before we headed. It was so good! Reminded me of the gelato I had in Europe.

The next morning, I got another mini car tour around the Queen Elizabeth Rd and saw the beautiful Rideau Canal. I’ve been to Ottawa before when I was younger and with family but I definitely would like to come more often and explore the city. I hear wintertime is very fun and romantic with all the lights, so maybe that’s when I’ll come back. Stay tuned for the next post as I’ll post my experience with Porter Airlines as that’s how I got back to Toronto!