Dear Colleagues;

In light of the global challenge with COVID-19 pandemic, and careful consideration for our members' health and safety, we have decided to postpone the NKBA -OTTAWA Chapter Gala Until May 2021.

This year's gala was intended to celebrate 10 years strong as a community chapter of NKBA. Our professional organization has been and will continue to be a way to keep us linked to each other, to share best practices, and to practice continuous learning.  We would like to thank the designers who submitted a record number of projects (more than 100!), as well as the members of the Gala Committee, and most especially, our Sponsors who support our industry and the Ottawa Chapter.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be refunding via PayPal all ticket sales, sponsor contributions and entrance fees paid by designers who have submitted designs.  We are negotiating with the Chateau Laurier to hold the event next year and as you can imagine there are still details to work out as we move forward.  Our plan is to open the design entries to include projects from 2019 and 2020.  We trust that postponing the event will allow more members to participate and attend the awards and what a PARTY it will be!

The potential financial impact COVID-19 has on our community members and sponsors is an important consideration also.  I encourage community members to stay linked with each other by phone, email and social media, and if possible unleash your creativity by getting to those wonderful projects that have languished on shelves just beyond the reach of our busy everyday life.

The NKBA Ottawa Chapter sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience the postponement of this year's Gala celebration may cause.  We are grateful for your understanding and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  I wish each of you good health during this extraordinary time.

Thank you,

Sandra Gibbons, AKBD, ARIDO, IDC

Ottawa Chapter President

president@nkbaottawa.org