by Suzanne Stedman, Allies Entry Chair for 10 years

FIFTY DO'S, DON'T'S, AND OTHER Suzanne'isms FOR ENTERING

1.  Carefully read the Rules for Entering. The awards program evolves every year, and with it the rules.

2.  If you have a question regarding the Rules or Criteria, email or call the contact person on the entry form.

3.  Don't assume that just anyone can answer your questions accurately.

4.  Make sure your entry is delivered by 12:00 noon on the deadline date.

5.  Don't expect an extension on the deadline. It is already pushed back as late as possible.

6.  Be absolutely certain that your company name or logo is given only where required.

7.  Don't try to outsmart the judges by bending the Rules.

8.  Don't blame anyone but yourself if you are disqualified for not following the Rules.

9.  Check your entry against the checklist to be sure your entry is complete.

10. Make sure you are eligible for the categories that you choose to enter.

11, Give your entry presentation the time and energy it deserves.

12. One well-presented entry will have a far greater chance of being nominated than a bunch of mediocre ones.

13. Be clear, concise, and interesting in your descriptions.

14. Remember to include the word count when required.

15. Don't ramble on just to fill up the pages allowed. It's perfectly acceptable to use less.

16. Use a clearly legible font that is as large as possible to fit the allowed space.

17. Give a strong argument for why an event should be considered "On a Shoestring".

18. Don't assume that the judges know any more than what you tell them in your entry.

19. Don't use the same description for different categories: Address the judging criteria.

20. Reuse your entry for the ISES Esprit Awards after the Allies. The criteria are similar.

21. After drafting your description, leave it for a couple of days, and look at it again, with a fresh perspective.

22. Proofread your entry. Proof it again. And then have someone else do it as well.

23. Choose a notebook that is the correct size for your entry: 1/2" to 1 1/2" is allowed.

24. Use professionally printed images. Color copies don't have the same impact as well-printed photographs.

25. Whenever possible use 8x10 prints. They reveal a lot more than a 5x7 or 4x6 print.

26. Be as creative as allowable when choosing your marketing/collateral pieces.

27. Make sure that your collateral pieces are well secured in the plastic sleeves

28. Presentation of your marketing/collateral pieces DOES matter.

29. Think about the judges reading your entry. Is it interesting and well thought out?

30. When possible, utilize a theme in the writing style, or paper and colors used.

31. Compare your entry to a proposal, would your client want to buy it?

.32 Don't worry about the competition. Make YOUR presentation the best possible.

33. When choosing your image for the Awards ceremony, choose an image with impact!

34. Create an exciting Awards Nite description, so that your winning entry stands out.

35. Don't wait until the last day to organize your entry. This is the day your printer will break.

36. Don't give up before you even start.

37. Don't base your decision to enter on past years. A new panel of judges from a different area is selected every single year, and the pool of entries may be very different this year.

38. Look at the categories with a fresh perspective, you may find new areas in which to enter.

39. Take advantage of your ISES and/or NACE memberships to enter the same category with up to 3 different events.

40. Think about bang for the buck! The biggest budget events don't necessarily win.

41. Consider teaming up with other ISES and NACE members for Best Team Effort.

42. Be thinking now about next year's entry, and document your best events.

43. At the Awards Ceremony, look at the other entry notebooks in your category, so that you will be better prepared for next year's competition.

44. Remember always that this competition is a learning experience. Enjoy it!

45. Prepare a short "Thank You" in case you win an Allie.

46. Don't be surprised when you do win.

47. Remember that everyone who serves on the Allie Awards Committee is a volunteer and deserves your respect.

48. If you have a complaint about the Allies, don't grouse to your cohorts, direct your comments to the Awards Committee where your issues can be addressed.

49. Better yet, take the plunge and join the Committee, and help initiate those changes that will continue to improve the Allie Awards process.

50. Remember: Don't blather on, just to get to that magic number, or to fill up the rest of the page. You really don't want the judges to have to keep reading just to get to the end of your presentation. It leaves a sour taste in their mouths, and they just want to get to the next entry, but before they can, they have to score your entry..........