The ADDY Awards is an annual competition conducted by the American Advertising Federation and sponsored locally by the Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance, or MMCA, to honor student and professional excellence in advertising, design, marketing and other related fields. The sold-out event will take place Thursday at the Union, with a gallery viewing of nominated work from 6-8 p.m. and the awards ceremony starting at 8 p.m.

The ADDYs feature more than a dozen categories ranging from advertising for the arts and sciences to broadcast television. Winners of gold and silver honors Thursday will have the opportunity to compete at regional and then national ADDY award ceremonies later in the year.

Julie Becker, MMCA’s vice president, said this year, the competition received about 300 entries, including posters, campaigns, logos and websites, 70 of which were student entries.

“That number is very, very high,” Becker said. “Usually we only get a few sparse student entries.”

Brimmer, who also submitted some of his own work for ADDY consideration, said he keeps track of student work and urges his students who he feels have a good chance at winning an ADDY to consider entering the competition.

“Honestly, I didn’t even think I would qualify until Henry Brimmer suggested I submit my work,” said Mary Natale, an alumna who studied advertising before graduating in 2011.

Natale said because of Brimmer’s confidence in her designs, she herself has more confidence and is excited for Thursday’s ceremony.

“To represent Michigan State — to have that MSU badge on my shoulder — is such an honor,” Natale said.

Becker said students who win ADDYs are looked at as up-and-coming leaders in the advertising industry, and winning or even being nominated for an ADDY is a great first step for students to get their name out in the professional world.

“It’s a foot in the door for students to casually get to know people outside their work environment,” Becker said. “Those budding relationships can ultimately lead to internships or job shadows or whatever it is they’re seeking.”

For Natale, who has been looking for a job since she graduated, the event gives her affirmation of her talent.

“It solidifies things,” Natale said. “It’s like, ‘OK, well I thought I was good, but other people think I’m good too, so I guess I got to keep going with this.’”