AWARD SPECIFICS
ABOUT
THE ENTRY PROCESS
JUDGING
WINNING AN AWARD
CELEBRATING AN AWARD
CONTACT
About the 2018 Platinum Partner Awards
What’s new about Incentive’s Platinum Partner Awards?
Now in its 26th year, Incentive's Platinum Partner Awards program has been reimagined to put as much emphasis on the great partners in this industry as well as their products. To do that, we’re looking for stories of excellence. Through a nomination process, our Platinum Partner award designation will focus on a nominated provider’s highly ranked levels of customer service balanced with stories of how exciting products, combined with insightful consultation and outstanding customer service, resulted in success for their clients.
Who is eligible to enter?
You may nominate suppliers in the incentive industry for the 2018 Platinum Partner Awards. You and your organization may submit single or multiple entries.
We have three award groups: Merchandise, Branded Currency/Gift Cards, and Travel.
Here are some supplier categories you might consider for each group:
MERCHANDISE
Apparel; Desk accessories & writing instruments; Cameras; Camping/outdoor equipment & accessories; Sports & recreational equipment; Watches & clocks; Corporate gift services; Giftware, crystal and fine china; Electronics; Food and beverage gifts; Home & personal appliances/housewares; Luggage & leather goods; Manufacturers reps
BRANDED CURRENCY/GIFT CARDS
Dining/restaurant; Retail store; Entertainment; Gift check; Debit card; Catalog merchant; Gas; Multiple merchant certificate; Online merchant; Individual travel awards; Phone card; Service/experiential; Gift card resellers
TRAVEL
Cruise lines; Domestic Convention & Visitors Bureaus; International Convention & Visitors Bureaus and Tourist Boards; Domestic hotels & resorts; International hotels & resorts; Destination management companies
How do I nominate an award candidate?
This new awards approach will include a nomination period that will give end users and third party suppliers the opportunity to rate the level of commitment of their award suppliers and submit stories of how the work and advice of their partners helped make their programs a success.
Please click here to start the easy nomination process.
Am I allowed to submit multiple nominations?
Yes, you may nominate more than one supplier.
What is the nomination deadline?
The nomination period closed on June 25, 2018.
Is there a cost to nominate?
No, there is no cost associated with nominations.
Where can I submit an entry?
All entries must be submitted online here. We will not accept submissions in any other format.
Who are the judges?
Each award group: Merchandise, Branded Currency/Gift Cards, and Travel, will have its own panel of judges.
Here are this year’s judges:
Merchandise:
Mike Donnelly, president, Hinda Incentives; Mary Hanson, CPIM, executive vice president, RepLink/The Data Direct Group; Jon Hanson,CPIM, founder, CEO, RepLink/The Data Direct Group; Paula Godar, CPIM, director brand strategies, Maritz Motivation Solutions
Branded Currency/Gift Cards:
Holly Glowaty, Co-founder, The Flourish Conference; Kirsten Thiry, Co-founder, The Flourish Conference; John Hornbogen, CPIM, gift solutions at First Data and president of Incentive Marketing Association; Jarod Smith, director, commerce partners & Merchandising, Bridge2Solutions
Travel:
Coming soon
How are the judges selected?
The judges are selected based on the breadth of their experience, and interest in participating in the process to recognize and honor organizations that consistently deliver quality service and innovation to incentive professionals.
How does the judging process work?
After reviewing the nominator’s content, a panel of industry experts will objectively select this year’s Platinum Partner award recipients.
What criteria will the judges use to evaluate finalists’ submissions?
The judges will evaluate the story and service rankings behind each nomination, based on the strengths of their submissions in relation to the other finalists in the respective category.
When and how will winners be notified?
Winners will be notified via email in late July/early August, 2018.
When will winners be announced to the public?
Winners will be announced publicly on or about October 1, 2018. Winners will be featured online and in the Fall 2018 issue of Incentive.
How many winners will there be?
There is no set number of winners.
How will the winners be promoted?
Northstar Meetings Group will publish a special section celebrating the winners in our Fall issue of Incentive, including editorial coverage online and in social media.
What do winners receive?
All winners will be recognized in Incentive’s Fall issue print and online sections, as well as at the Incentive Live event in Chicago, March 3-6, 2019.
Will the winners’ stories be made public?
Winners may have all or part of their stories appear in print and online as part of being recognized for their achievements.
How can winners promote their award(s)?
All winners will receive a hi-res Platinum Partners logo to use in their own promotional marketing, websites, social postings, etc. Incentive will also provide a formatted press release.
The Fall issue of Incentive will list all winners. Additionally, winners who choose to advertise ½ page or larger in the issue will receive two bonus opportunities:
- Bonus matching advertorial to highlight their win in the Platinum Partners special section within the issue
• Bonus digital write-up and (image/logo?) on Platinum Partners landing page.
