What is this award?
The Power of Partnership awards pay tribute to companies in the manufacturing space who have partnered together in an effort to create a unified approach to solving a challenge or creating a business opportunity.

Who can enter?
START-IT is looking for partnerships in the manufacturing industry that have enabled and created a unique customer-facing strategy that has helped these companies better service their mutual customers now and into the future.
There are typically three types of partnerships considered:
1. A manufacturer partnering with another manufacturer to enable better customer service or enable a better go-to-market strategy.
2. Two technology providers working together in an effort to maximize value to their mutual customers. Ultimately, this approach will help solve a business issue for a customer seeking to continue outpacing the competition.
3. Two technology providers in an OEM-type partnership where one vendor’s technology is embedded with the other's.

What is the deadline?
The deadline for entries is Dec. 7, 2007. Entries will not be accepted after this deadline.

How do we enter?
The deadline for 2008 has passed. Please click here to view other SPC awards that are still open for submissions.

What is the best way to submit?
We recommend that entries be completed as follows:

• Steps 1 – 6 should be completed in a Word document, to be emailed along with the required materials in Step 7.

• Step 8 is the required subscription. Please provide the requested information in the above-mentioned Word document, if necessary.

• Steps 9 – 12 (the final ballot page) should be completed on the ballot page itself, including all the necessary signatures. This page can be scanned and emailed along with the additional materials or faxed to 630.933.0845. This is the ONLY page that should be faxed.

• Entries can also be mailed to the magazine directly. Applications must be received on or before the submission deadline to be accepted.

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Where should entries be sent?
Specialty Publishing Co.
c/o START-IT magazine – Power of Partnership Awards
135 E. St. Charles Rd. Suite D
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Email: mmayer@start-itmag.com
Fax: 630.933.0845

Can we enter on behalf of another company?
Yes. The companies listed in Step 2 on the ballot will be considered the entrants, or the companies that are eligible to win. In the past, public relations firms have aided in the submission. This is acceptable, however, the applying companies must approve the final entry as well as provide the required signatures.

Can we submit more than one entry?
Each partnership can only submit one entry. However, one company may submit as part of two different partnerships.

What is the entry fee?
The entry fee is $125 USD prior to Nov. 15, 2007. Beginning Nov. 16, 2007, the entry fee will increase to $175 USD. This entry fee includes a subscription to the magazine. Entry fees are nonrefundable. The Awards program does not provide any discounts for entry fees. The application form includes a step where payment for the entry fee can be fulfilled. This step must be completed upon submission or the application will not be accepted.

What are the judging criteria?
START-IT is looking for companies that best explain a problem/challenge they faced and how the partnership helped to solve that problem. Nominating companies are asked what opportunities were created as a result of the partnership and to provide quantifiable examples of the benefits achieved. Winning entries will be evaluated on how the companies explain the challenges they faced, and the opportunities that were created from the partnership.

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Who judges the entries?
An independent panel of industry analysts and experts judge the Power of Partnership Awards.

What do the judges do when they judge our entry?
With the Power of Partnership Awards, the judges read the entered documents and review them. Entries are rated on a scale of 1-10.

Can we talk to the judges?
No. We do not allow the entrants to have contact with the judges.

Can we see who our judges are?
No. We do not allow entrants to screen their judges or know who they are prior to the award judging.

Does the magazine publish our entry material?
START-IT magazine publishes print and Web articles highlighting the winners. This material is based on the award submission. We recommend you do not submit material that is not for publication.

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How are the winners determined?
Each individual score is recorded, and the entries are rated by an average score. The awards team reviews the scoring and written comments and the START-IT editors then make a final determinations of gold, silver, and bronze winners by the scores of the entries in each category. This is done by comparing the scores of the entries in that category as well as the ranking of the individual score. Not all categories will have a gold, silver, and bronze winner.

When do we hear if we won?
Entrants will be notified that they have been named a finalist, if chosen so. Finalists will win an award; it is just a matter of whether it is a gold, silver, or bronze, which is announced at the awards ceremony. Winning companies must be in attendance to receive their award.

What happens if a company is not in attendance?
If any of the applying companies are not in attendance the entire award will be rescinded.

When is the awards ceremony?
The Power of Partnerships Awards are presented during the T&B dinner and awards ceremony. The date and location of the 2008 ceremony will be announced in the near future. Please visit www.specialtypub.com/startit/tbawards/powerofpartnerships.asp for more information.

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What do the winners win?
Each winning company receives a freestanding trophy, along with coverage by START-IT magazine.

Whose name goes on the award?
The name of the individual winning company will go on each trophy.

Can we order additional awards if we win?
Yes. Additional trophies and plaques will be available at the cost of the ordering company. Order forms will be provided at the ceremony as well as from START-IT magazine following the event.

How will we be notified we are a winner?
The Awards Coordinator contacts the persons named in the application by either phone or email. It is extremely important that each nominee provides email addresses that will be operable throughout 2008 and that will accept email from START-IT magazine.

How does the magazine publicize the winners?
START-IT magazine will issue a press release, publish a print article announcing the winners, and post the company names on its Website.

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Can the winners send out a press release?
Yes. All winners are encouraged to send out a press release as the winners are announced. The magazine is also delighted to grant quotes for each winner for companies to publicize in their press releases. Please make sure that START-IT magazine is given the opportunity to approve press releases containing information and/or quotes pertaining to and coming from START-IT magazine and its awards program.

Who has won in the past?
Past winners can be viewed here:
2007

Can we see past winning entries?
You are not able to view the actual entries submitted; however, please view START-IT’s articles featuring past winners.

What do we do if we have further questions?
All questions should be directed to Michelle Mayer at 630.933.0844 ext. 246, or via email at mmayer@start-itmag.com.

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