The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) sustains a healthy and thriving magazine industry by serving the people who publish, create, print and distribute a uniquely Albertan view of the world.
Through a combination of advocacy, promotion and professional assistance, AMPA works to nurture Alberta's magazine industry and foster its continued development.
AMPA services are available to different levels of membership:
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Advocacy
AMPA's job is to make magazine publishing in Alberta easy – or at least easier. We stay ahead of issues influencing Alberta publishers, nurture relationships with all levels of government, and inform and persuade those public officials whose decisions affect our industry. We make sure government ministers are aware of the economic and cultural value of Alberta magazines.
In the past, AMPA has lobbied for reduced postal rates and increased support for the cultural industries.
Alberta Magazine Awards
The Alberta Magazine Awards recognizes, supports and celebrates outstanding magazine content in our province. The annual awards program honours the best in the industry and gives the region's magazine professionals a chance to commend the work of their colleagues. The opportunity to celebrate achievement within our community both strengthens and inspires us to further excellence. Awards are presented at a gala dinner that kicks off the Alberta Magazines Conference.
Showcase Awards
Recognizing excellence in AMPA member magazine editorial and design – both in print and digital form – Showcase Award entries are adjudicated by a panel of industry experts
Alberta Achievement Awards
Nominees include publications and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Alberta's magazine industry. Award categories include: Best New Magazine; Editor of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; and Achievement in Publishing. Achievement Award entries are adjudicated by a judging panel.
Alberta Magazines Conference
Each spring, AMPA hosts three days of targeted sessions and panel discussions featuring industry leaders and innovators. After more than 15 years, the conference has become an Alberta magazine industry institution and an incomparable opportunity for professional growth – both for publishing hopefuls and old hands.
The Alberta Magazines Conference is the largest event of its kind in Western Canada, featuring the Alberta Magazine Awards gala, a keynote luncheon, breakout sessions covering all aspects of magazine publishing (digital media, editorial, circulation, ad sales, design and production) and the opportunity to network with colleagues.
Visit the Alberta Magazine Conference page to read about past conferences and to download the latest Alberta Magazines Conference brochure with details and rates.
Bursary Program
The publishing industry benefits when magazine professionals have the opportunity to upgrade skills and network with colleagues. AMPA complements the professional development events we host by subsidizing bursaries to offset travel and/or tuition costs to other magazine conferences and professional development events.
Bursaries are available to AMPA's Voting Magazine members and are subject to conditions and funding.
Voting and Affiliate Magazine members log in to access guidelines, applications and other forms.
Cultural Industries Guarantee Fund
This unique fund provides guarantees to financial institutions for the development of magazine publishing companies. The fund acts as a partner for small publishers trying to realize their potential, helping them secure strong relationships with financial institutions.
The Alberta Cultural Industries Association (ACIA) created the Cultural Industries Guarantee Fund with funds from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) and from the federal government through the Ministry of Canadian Heritage.
For full details and to find out if your publication qualifies for funding, download the Cultural Industries Guarantee Fund PDF.
Internship Program
AMPA's Internship program allows emerging magazine professionals to gain knowledge and experience in the publishing industry, while providing AMPA member magazine publishers with skilled and enthusiastic employees at a subsidized wage.
The Internship program – which has been running for several years – has created a strong talent pool in the province; many interns have gone on to secure permanent, influential roles in Alberta's publishing industry.
This program is available to AMPA's Voting Magazine members.
Voting Magazine members log in to access guidelines, applications and other forms.
Magazine Careers
Looking for a career in magazine publishing in Alberta? Seeking qualified staff for your publication? AMPA provides current, regularly updated job postings specific to the publishing industry to help the province's employers and potential employees find each other.
Members log in to add a job posting.
Professional Consultations
Known as "Pros on the Road", this program matches AMPA members with expert consultants specializing in a range of subjects. Typically, consultations are custom day-long working sessions that target the publisher's key challenges and include intensive, one-on-one training. Nearly all magazines who have hired consultants through the program have gained the tools to develop initiatives and reach goals previously considered unattainable.
Consultations are available for advertising, circulation, promotion, editorial content, design, production, financial administration and electronic media.
Voting and Affiliate Magazine members log in to access guidelines, applications and other forms.
Promotion
Increased public awareness of Alberta magazines results in increased readership, greater reader engagement, higher sales and more subscriptions for AMPA member magazines. At industry events, as well as arts and literary events and festivals, AMPA works to raise the profile of Alberta magazines and the association itself. It's our goal to create engaged communities of readers who feel connected to their favourite Alberta magazines and invested in the viability of Alberta's magazine industry.
AMPA informs Albertans about the quality, quantity and variety of magazines published in this province; encourages readers to seek out and subscribe to home-grown publications that fit their interests; and raises awareness of the value of Alberta's magazine publishing industry.
Resource Library
Access select recordings from AMPA webinars, seminars and other professional development events online, as well as presentation materials and highlights from Alberta Magazines Conference sessions. Check in regularly for the latest digital learning resources.
Members log in to access the full resource library.
Seminars & Webinars
AMPA provides regular, affordable workshops covering relevant industry topics. These sessions help publishers extend their brands, magazines reach more readers and magazine employees hone their skills.
Visit the AMPA Events page for upcoming seminars and webinars.
Talent Pool
Find the ideal magazine contributor. Search the Talent Pool database which lists the credits and credentials of magazine creatives to find a freelancer or contract employee who matches your organization's needs.
If you're a writer, editor, photographer, illustrator, fact checker, web designer or graphic designer available for hire, jump in the AMPA Talent Pool. Maintain your own listing, featuring: key phrase search functionality; extended profile descriptions; website listings; secure e-mail contacts and uploadable samples.
Annual subscriptions are currently free, so register with our website to create your Talent Pool listing today!
Template Publishing Guide
Template is an AMPA-produced series of resource publications for people with great ideas who want to start a magazine -- and make it work.
It's a tool for everyone connected to the magazine publishing industry: editors, art directors, freelance contributors, publishers, advertisers, sales representatives, printers and distributors. Template covers topics from design and writing to technology and business planning, with special editions devoted to the intricacies of circulation strategy and publishing law.
Template is a free resource for AMPA members; non-members can purchase individual editions or the full series. Click "Start a Magazine" for purchase details.
