Barcelona Expedition Report! We received an award at the ceremony for the “GOLDEN WORLD AWARDS 2023,” a leading international award in the PR industry.
Are you familiar with the GOLDEN WORLD AWARDS? Hosted by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), this annual event celebrates outstanding PR initiatives from around the globe.
Exactly one year ago, we were overjoyed to receive the news that the “Uber Eats Delivery to Space” project, for which SUNNY SIDE UP handled PR communications, won the top prize in the “Consumer PR for an existing service – Agency” category at the GOLDEN WORLD AWARDS 2023.
▼ Click here for the award announcement:
The “Uber Eats Delivery to Space” project, with PR communications managed by SUNNY SIDE UP, won the category top prize at the International PR Association’s “GOLDEN WORLD AWARDS 2023”!
Since we received such a prestigious award, I personally requested to attend the Winners Gala & Ceremony. With the support of my team members, I made my way to Barcelona!
Due to scheduling constraints, I was the only member of the project team able to attend. As it was my first solo business trip abroad and my first time in Spain, I was nervous in many ways before departure… but more than anything, I was incredibly excited to meet talented PR professionals from all over the world.
I had so many things I wanted to ask them, such as whether they knew about our project in real-time and what their impressions were.
Since I was worried about the language barrier, I rented a translation device for the first time.
With that, I was ready! Off I went!
The schedule for the day included welcome drinks starting at 7:30 PM, followed by the ceremony from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. There was also a dress code: “Smart Formal or National Dress,” encouraging glamorous attire.
In Europe during autumn, it was still Daylight Saving Time, so the sun set around 7:00 PM, leading to a later start for the Gala. The schedule ending at 11:00 PM is a bit different from what we typically see in Japan. However, I am confident in my stamina, so I was ready for the challenge (laughs).
During the cocktail party, sparkling wine and finger foods were served by the hotel poolside, allowing for a very casual networking session with the other winners!
I was a bit restless attending alone, but I was immediately greeted with hugs from the organizers. (Yes, this definitely felt like being abroad!) After that, Jolene, who was also attending alone from South Africa, approached me saying, “I’m on my own too,” and we managed to converse using my limited English.
Thanks to Jolene, I was able to communicate in a friendly manner with people from various countries!
I remembered my college days when I had the ambition to “work on a global scale.” While I haven’t quite reached that level yet, I was thrilled by the international exchange that I don’t usually get to experience!
Once the cocktail party concluded, we moved to the main venue for the ceremony. I took my seat based on the list of guest names and table assignments. (It felt much like a wedding reception.)
Unfortunately, I was seated at a different table from Jolene and Tosin, whom I had befriended during the cocktails.
During the ceremony, presenters announced each award. When a project was called, the representative would take the stage, receive the trophy, and have their photo taken. I waited nervously, wondering when our name would be called. (And yes, food was served as well.)
And finally…
“SUNNY SIDE UP!”
We were called! I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to take photos of my own turn, but Jolene, whom I had met earlier, took them for me… I am so grateful.
Afterward, there was time for a photo call, dining, and conversation, leading up to the announcement of the Grand Prix. The 2023 Grand Prix winner was none other than the gentleman from Not Perfect Vilnius at my table!
He was interested in our project and asked questions like, “How did you come up with the idea and execute it?” I managed to answer while stealing glances at a translation site on my smartphone hidden under the table. (Phew!)
I was deeply moved that a project planned in Japan could garner such interest across the globe!
Finally, everyone at the table toasted with a cry of “Winners!” and took a commemorative photo.
(…You might wonder why I didn’t use the translation device I rented?)
In a setting like that, and in front of PR professionals who make a living through communication, I didn’t want to speak in Japanese and have a machine translate it into English. I felt that wouldn’t reflect well on a communication professional. The members gathered from all over the world were communicating effectively even if English wasn’t their native language; they were true professionals. I wanted to convey my words with my own voice! Before I knew it, I was speaking desperately! (laughs)
From Japan, Dentsu was also in attendance alongside SUNNY SIDE UP. It is always a relief to meet fellow countrymen in a distant land.
And just like that, the ceremony flew by and it was time to conclude.
Seeing everyone communicate so proactively, and seeing how people from every country spoke English as a matter of course, inspired me to work even harder!
Receiving this prestigious award was only possible thanks to everyone involved in the project. While I am certainly happy about the win, I believe the experience of participating in a ceremony where I could interact with outstanding PR professionals from around the world was the greatest honor of all.
I hope to continue creating a “fun stir” around the world through our efforts.
