FAQ

The following frequently asked questions have been collected over the years and should be used only in conjunction with the official rules, which can be viewed at www.allieawards.com.

Some of my event was sponsored. How should I list that in the budget?
The budget should show the retail value of all items used, including donations, sponsorships, preferred rates, discounts and inventory items. It should represent the amount of money necessary to replicate the event by another party, and is not necessarily the amount billed to your client. Items that must be translated into full market value (retail cost) might include, for example, discounted linens, complimentary crew rooms or meals and sponsored printing.

In the questions that ask for a budget, what items should be included in the budget?
Budgets should include the following RETAIL values per item and category:

Social categories: food and beverage, venue, decor, floral, entertainment, lighting, invitations, labor and installation costs, planner’s fee/management, etc. (For weddings, do not include bridal party clothing, rings or honeymoon.)

Entertainment categories: performance fee, rider and expenses. Judges will consider the performance alone unless you indicate that you wish technical aspects of the production not covered by the rider—such as lighting, staging and special effects—to be considered as well; if so, these should be included in the budget.

Corporate/Association Event categories: budget breakdown for the entire event: invitation, decor, food & beverage, labor, entertainment, sound, lighting, venue, installation, planner’s fee, transportation, etc.

Catering categories: food and beverage, service, rentals, etc. Do not include tax or gratuity.

Can I drop my Allie submissions off at the Atlanta History Center prior to the deadline?
Allies submissions will be checked in by the Allies Awards & Entries Committee ONLY at the times specified. Out of town entrants may make arrangements to mail their entries by contacting Allison Schultz, aljonz@mindspring.com, 404-281-9550.

**March 3 is the Late Drop-Off date and will incur a $30.00 late fee per entry.

What happens to the notebook I submit for entry?
The Entries & Awards committee logs all entries and removes the entry form to make each notebook anonymous. The notebooks are then forwarded to the judging team. Nominated entries will be displayed at the Allie Awards Night and all entries will be available for collection by entrants at the end of the ceremony.

How do you define a public fair or festival?
Entries in the Best Public Fair or Festival category should have been created for the PUBLIC and may be ticketed or non-ticketed events. Private social, corporate or association events with a fair or festival theme should be entered in the relevant Best (Social/Corporate/Association) Event category. 

Since the rules are in an outline format, should I keep these same section titles and then fill in with my information? 
You do not have to include the section titles “Allie Awards Night Information Sheet,” or “Statement of Responsibility;” however it is helpful to the judges if this is marked in some form, whether by title, cover page or tab.

Does a program count as only one piece of collateral even if it includes multiple photographs, maps, schedules etc.?
Yes, a single bound piece or front-and-back piece counts as one piece of collateral and graphic inclusions would not count towards the photo limit.

Do you have to be a member of ISES or NACE in order to nominate someone for the Dale Riggins Humanitarian Award?
No.

Do you have to be a member of ISES or NACE in order to enter the Allie Awards?
No; eligible entrants are either (a) a member of the Atlanta chapter of ISES or (b) a member of the Atlanta chapter of NACE, or (c) an Atlanta-based company.

Who judges the Allies?
Each year the Allie Awards Entries Committee Chair and the Allie Awards Chair pick another chapter of ISES or NACE to judge the entries. The identity of the judging team remains confidential in order to protect the integrity of the awards program.