Channel Awards deadline extension

Due to popular demand, CRN has extended the deadline for Channel Awards entries. Simon Meredith explains

Today did mark the last day for entries to this year’s Channel Awards. However, due to channel demand, CRN has decided for the first time ever to extend the deadline by one week. CRN has already received a record number of entries for the 22 awards that will be handed out in November, so to be in with a chance you must get your entry in by 24 July.

Next month, the judges will meet to choose four or five companies to put forward in each category. Then, on 21 August, voting will begin and the channel will have the opportunity to have its say. Then the judges will meet once again at the end of October to decide the final winners.

“The standard of entries we have been receiving has been very high,” said CRN editor and chair of the judging panel, Sara Driscoll. “Vendors, distributors and resellers are entering in higher numbers and the standard of their submissions is also improving.

“We have decided to extend the deadline. Many smaller companies do not have large marketing departments, so this extension is designed to take the pressure off of them slightly and therefore make the awards more available than ever.”

Shortlists will be put forward in every category and it will then be up to customers – be they resellers who use the services of distributors and vendors, or end-users that are serviced by the reseller community – to decide which of the finalists should be placed at the head of the list.

Of course, while CRN is eager for shortlisted companies to encourage customers to vote for them, it does not expect them to manufacture votes. All email addresses are verified and any that cannot be will be discarded. Driscoll made it very clear that any attempts to do this will be frowned upon.

“You cannot vote for yourself and you cannot fabricate votes,” she said. “The votes have to be authentic and we will discard any that are not.”

To ensure that not only the big guns that are shortlisted have a chance of winning, the combined votes of the judges carry equal weight to the reader votes, with the shortlisted company achieving the highest aggregate position in both sets of rankings being crowned the eventual winner.

Over-enthusiastic competitors who are found to be attempting to rig the voting may even be marked down by the judging panel, and that could make all the difference in the end.

Driscoll said: “We want the best company to win – but we also want then to win fairly. Any other victory would be a hollow one.”

What stage are we at?

The entry deadline has been extended. All entries must be in by 24 July. Then the judges meet in early August to decide on the shortlists. Voting will start on 21 August and continue until 13 October. Final decisions are made by the judging panel at the end of October. The awards will be presented on 23 November in London.

Who can vote for whom?

For the vendor awards – votes from both distributors and resellers will be accepted. Multiple votes from one company will be allowed within reason, but if there is a suggestion that the voting is systematic, these votes will be discounted.

For the distributor awards – resellers are expected to vote for distributors, and vendors can also cast a vote. Any systematic approach will be discounted.

Reseller awards votes will come principally from end-user customers, thanks to CRN’s sister title Computing. Distributor and vendor votes will be acceptable, within reason.

Can multiple votes for one company be made by individuals?

Not in the same category – you can vote only once. You can, of course, vote for the same company in different categories if you so wish and you feel qualified to do so.

Can many people from one company vote?

There is no reason why a number of individuals from channel companies that are of a substantial size cannot vote. However, any indication that votes are being cast systematically by a company will lead to all of those votes being discarded and may have an impact on the judges’ deliberations.

Can companies outside the channel vote?

Only for the reseller categories and we expect these votes to come from genuine customers or business partners with experience of the firm.

Can you vote from web-based accounts such as Hotmail and BT Internet?

No, we will discount any such votes.

How do you vote?

Go to www.channelawards.co.uk and select the category, key in your email address and cast your vote. You will receive a verifying email to check validity and confirm your vote has been received.