Final bell goes for Channel Awards entries

Time is running out to enter this year's Channel Awards by 5 August, says Fleur Doidge

Just a few working days are left to create and submit entries to CRN's channel Oscars this year. Many entries have already come in as usual, and this is the final reminder before the window of opportunity finally closes on Friday the fifth of August 2011 at 5pm.

Sara Yirrell, editor of CRN, says that all entries must be made online. See Channelweb.co.uk for the full low-down on criteria and how to enter. The absolute final deadline for entries is Friday 5 August at 5pm.

"Do read the top 10 tips, which explain how best to enter and the obvious mistakes to avoid," says Yirrell [pictured, below left].

"Do think carefully about your entry, as we cannot make allowances for entries made into the wrong category, for example. I must stress that all the information you need to know to enter this year's Channel Awards is also available online, via Channelweb and also on the Awards website itself, which is http://events.channelweb.co.uk."

As usual, a glamorous yet convivial night is expected. The dress code is black tie. Attendees will enjoy a banquet washed down with, perhaps, the occasional glass of champers, entertainment yet-to-be-announced, and dancing with some 1,700 leading lights of the UK IT channel, including a diverse range of friendly vendors, distributors and resellers from all areas.

"It has been an especially fascinating year this year in the channel, as the UK continues its fight out of recession. As a result, we are expecting some interesting shake-ups in the prizegiving, reflecting the massive changes we have seen and will continue to see in coming years," predicts Yirrell. "The judges are all really looking forward to judging day on 30 August."

Of especial interest to vendors, an award for Channel Service Provider of the Year - for vendors providing services to the channel only - is up for grabs for the very first time.

Resellers providing services to the channel should enter Services Provider of the Year - in the Reseller prize division.

Judges in the two-panel process are a 22-strong array of notables, including Quocirca senior research analyst Bob Tarzey [pictured, right], credit specialist and channel stalwart Nitin Joshi, CompTIA International VP Matthew Poyiadgi, and channel peers such as Wick Hill chairman Ian Kilpatrick and Trustmarque chief executive Scott Haddow alongside IBM's partner and mid-market VP Jacqui Davey and Dell's channel manager Paul Harrison.

Once again, the Awards will be held at Battersea Evolution - formerly known as Battersea Park Arena - in south London, on the evening of Thursday 17 November 2011. Table sales are already open - please email Christopher Pullinger or telephone him on 020 7484 9924 for more details or to book.

Categories for 2011
For vendors to enter:
* Systems Vendor of the Year
* Networking Vendor of the Year
* Software Vendor of the Year
* Storage Vendor of the Year
* Security Vendor of the Year
* Specialist Vendor of the Year
* Channel Service Provider of the Year - NEW CATEGORY

For distributors to enter:
* Systems Distributor of the Year
* Networking Distributor of the Year
* Software Distributor of the Year
* Security Distributor of the Year
* Storage Distributor of the Year
* Audiovisual/Print Distributor of the Year
* Specialist Distributor of the Year

For resellers to enter:
* Enterprise Reseller of the Year
* Mid-Market Reseller of the Year
* SME Reseller of the Year
* Services Provider of the Year
* Specialist Reseller of the Year

The big three to enter:
* Reseller of the Year
* Distributor of the Year
* Vendor of the Year

Editor's choice prizes (no entry required):
*Channel Personality of the Year
*Emerging Company of the Year

Enter the Channel Awardshttp://events.channelweb.co.uk/awards