The Business Record received awards in eight categories at the Alliance of Area Business Publishers (AABP) 2024 Editorial Excellence Awards on June 21 in Baton Rouge, La. The annual competition, coordinated and judged by faculty in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, recognizes editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in regional business publications.

The Business Record has consistently received awards from AABP in the past and this year was a record number for the publication, including five Gold awards. Judges recognized the following Business Record products and individuals for editorial, design and digital excellence and innovation:

• Best Use of Photography/Illustrations, Newspapers – Gold: Patrick Herteen, Lauren Burt, Kate Meyer, Duane Tinkey, John Retzlaff, Emily Wood.
• Best Scoop – Gold: “Kum & Go’s sale to Maverik”; Kathy Bolten, senior staff writer.
• Best Feature, Series – Gold: “Belonging: How Iowa’s culture plays a role in workplace inclusion”; Emily Kestel, Michael Crumb, Sarah Diehn, Emily Wood.
• Best Beat Reporting, Tech and Innovation – Gold: Sarah Diehn, digital news editor and staff writer.
• Best Bylined Commentary – Gold: “Fearless”; Nicole Grundmeier, staff writer.
• Best Website – Silver: Kate Meyer, Jason Swanson, Chris Conetzkey.
• Best Feature, Single Story – Silver: “The Beacon expands its mission of assisting women to those who’ve just been arrested”; Nicole Grundmeier, staff writer.
• Best Specialty E-Newsletter – Bronze: “Fearless”; Nicole Grundmeier and Emily Wood.

Founded in 1979, the AABP was started to bring together city and regional business magazines and tabloids throughout North America. Its members include publications such as Crain’s Chicago Business, Crain’s New York Business, Los Angeles Business Journal, D Business (Dallas), Biz New Orleans and Twin Cities Business.