Q. What entries are eligible?

A. Entries must meet these criteria:

• Produced for an organization within the public sector.
• Produced or received by the intended audience between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2004. Please note: The same product may not be entered two years in a row. For example, a publication produced at the end of 2003 and entered in last year’s contest may not be entered again this year, even if the audience received the product during the 2004 calendar year.
• The entrant must be a principal contributor of the entry. For example, entries in the writing classes must be submitted by the principal writer(s) of the project.
• Any outside agency work on the entry must be acknowledged and must have been minimal.

Q. Who is eligible to enter?

A. Both ACE members and non-members are eligible. An ACE member must have paid 2005 dues to be eligible to enter as a member.

Q. Can teams enter?

A. Yes. A team can be all ACE members, mixed with members and non-members, or all non-members.

Q. What does it cost to enter?

A. $30 for an ACE member or for a team with at least one ACE member; $80 for a non-member; and $80 for each person on a team with no ACE member. If you have never been an ACE member, you may choose to receive a complimentary first-year ACE membership with your $80 entry fee. That means that if you have more than one entry, you would pay $80 for the first and the member rate of $30 for subsequent entries.

Please note that non-members on mixed teams must pay an additional $30 each if they want to be recognized on awards and in promotional materials.

Q. How are winners recognized?

A. If you’re an ACE member and win an award, you’ll receive a certificate or a plaque. If you make the request on the entry, we’ll also notify one administrator about your accomplishment. Award presentations will be made at the ACE international meeting May 31-June 4 in San Antonio, Texas. Your name will be listed in the ACE awards program book and other publications.

Non-members who win as part of a team with ACE members will be recognized on awards and in ACE promotional materials only if they have paid the additional fee of $30. See the entry form for details. Non-members who enter individually or as a team of all non-members will receive awards and recognition in ACE promotional materials.

Q. How many times can I enter the same product?

A. You can enter the same product only once within each category. On the other hand, you can enter the same product in all nine categories if you feel it qualifies, as long as each entry is accompanied by the appropriate entry fee.

Q. Who are the judges and what will they look for in my entry?

A. Judges are chosen by ACE special interest group (SIG) leaders. Judges rate entries using criteria developed by SIG leaders.

Q. What will I get from the judges?

A. By the end of April 2005, you should receive an evaluation form, which includes numerical scores and comments from the judge. Judges are asked to highlight the entry’s strengths and weaknesses and discuss specific changes that could improve its effectiveness. You also will receive a letter to let you know whether you’ve won an award.

Q. How many winners are there in each category?

A. Judges can select a gold, silver and bronze award in each class. They then judge each gold-winning entry a second time against all the other gold winners to select that category’s Outstanding Professional Skill Award winner. ACE does not award ties in a class or category. Judges may choose to make no award in a class or category.

Q. What if I enter my submission in an incorrect category or class?

A. Judges may move your entry into the correct category or class. If ACE Headquarters notices a possible error prior to judging, you will be notified.

Q. Will I get my entry back?

A. If you include return postage or a FedEx account number, ACE will return your entry. Gold-winning entries may be retained for inclusion in future exhibits and displays.

Q. When will I get my award if my entry wins?

A. Awards will be presented at the ACE awards banquet during the ACE international meeting May 31-June 4 in San Antonio, Texas. Winners will have the opportunity to present a poster session at the meeting. Outstanding Professional Skill Award winners will be asked to prepare a short video for the awards ceremony. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, ACE Headquarters will ship your award to you.

Other Questions?
Contact the ACE coordinator at ace@ifas.ufl.edu.