We started the WCCA on a feeling that the advertising and design industry of the West Coast was under-served at home, and under-represented on the world stage. The Coasties is an opportunity to correct that, by honouring the incredibly diverse and different creative work that comes out of the agencies, studios and freelance brains of BC.

When we set-out to create the Coasties, we knew we wanted to avoid being one of those stuffy award shows with a sit down dinner so we’re aiming to keep things light. We’ll keep the awards portion of the evening short so you can get back to the real reason were all here: to hang out with each other. The event will include two 45 minute theatre-seated segments hosted by an emcee. Each winner’s work will be show on-screen, and they’ll be offered the opportunity to thank anyone involved in a short speech if they choose to but it is not required. We’ll have an opening reception, intermission and after-party all at the Hollywood Theatre, with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres served throughout the evening.

We unfortunately do not count for Strategy Report Card points in our first year, but if we make this event a huge success we’ve been assured that year two will count.