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Comments from 2002 Judges

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2002 Winners

EIA Announces the 2003 "Idea of the Year" Competition

In 2003 EIA will hold it's 2nd Annual competition to find the "Idea of the Year" from the best ideas of all those submitted from member organizations. Eligible ideas are any ideas that were implemented in 2002. Look at your good ideas and submit them. Be sure to include all the information requested. Entries must be received by February 28, 2003 and you will be advised by May 31 if your ideas are selected as finalists.

There will be no limit on the number of entries that members may submit.
There are five categories of ideas - safety, environmental, technical, process improvement & customer service.
Entry will be FREE to members
Prizes will be awarded
Entrants will be given special reductions on conference fee so they can attend to receive their award

In detail this is how the competition will take place.
Each year EIA will hold a competition to find the "Idea of the Year" from the best ideas of all those submitted within member organizations. It is estimated that members receive over 200,000 ideas each year from their staff and the competition seeks to recognize the originators of good ideas and their organization.
All entries are assessed by an independent panel of judges, who will shortlist entries and allocate them to the most suitable category. Final judging of the shortlisted ideas will take place at the EIA annual conference, held in September each year. Shortlisted finalists are required to attend the conference to present their ideas to the judges, who will select each category winner and the overall winner of "The Idea of the Year". Substitute presenters are not allowed. Each category winner and the overall winner will be presented with a trophy to be retained by their organization for one year and a small trophy for the individual winners to keep. Winning organizations are responsible for returning the trophy the following year to the competition organizers.
There are enormous benefits to winning the competition, whether category winner or the "Idea of the Year". Some ideas and their organizations may be featured in national press and on television. Others will find increased interest for their programs within the organization, including that of top management.
To enter the competition, simply consider all the ideas you have recently implemented. Select those you consider the best and submit them on the enclosed form. Any number of ideas can be submitted so copy the enclosed form for multiple entries. Remember that level of financial savings is not the only criterion you should be considering. Many good ideas do not necessarily save thousands of dollars. There are also a number of categories, environmental and health & safety for example, where savings may be irrelevant.
Look at your good ideas and submit them. Be sure to include all the information requested. Entries must be received by February 28 and you will be advised by May 31 if they have been successfully shortlisted for the final.
Start preparing your entries and looking for winning suggestions now.

Rules and Conditions of Entry

The closing date for entries is February 28, 2003.
The judges have absolute discretion, and their decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. They reserve the right to award prizes only if entries reach a required standard and will select the most suitable category for each idea.
All entries must be submitted as a typewritten document (electronic or faxed entries are not acceptable) using the enclosed entry format. FOUR copies of all entries must be submitted including any supporting documentation (photographs, drawings, statistical information, spreadsheets, technical reports, press releases etc). Supporting documentation should be limited to no more than three or four items.
Submissions must clearly identify the initial problem and the solution provided by the suggestion. All benefits, tangible or intangible, must be highlighted. Financial benefits must be supported with evidence.
All entries must be submitted by the employing organization. The idea must have been implemented, and the benefit to their organization clearly identified. All entries must be original to the organization and not in breach of any copyright, patent or other law or regulation.
Short-listed finalists must be available to attend the EIA Conference for final judging of their suggestion and are required to discuss their idea with the judges during a maximum fifteen-minute interview (during which samples, visual aids or other demonstrations may be used as required). Finalist organizations must advise the EIA office of any audio-visual aids to be used. The finalist organization is responsible for the provision of any such aids.
EIA will arrange the final judging timetable. Finalists must be available at their allotted time.
EIA may publish details of any idea submitted.
There is no entry fee for members of EIA.
EIA will acknowledge receipt of all entries.

All entries must arrive in the EIA office on or before February 28, 2003. EIA 525 SW 5th Street, Suite A Des Moines, IA 50309