Five things to consider for last-minute Channel Awards entries

If you are a vendor, distributor or reseller, and think you've bested your peers over the last 12 months, it's not too late to get your entries in...

1) It's not too late

The deadline may be nearly upon us, but if you are a vendor, distributor or reseller and are convinced you've bested your peers and done an outstanding job over the last 12 months, you still have a whole working day to submit your entries.

Entering any awards process is exhausting and stressful, but the reward of potentially being shortlisted and winning an award at the biggest channel party of the year will hopefully prove the effort worthwhile. Make sure you don't miss out.

2) How to select the right category

These awards are truly respected by the industry and customers alike, and this year there are several new categories, based on detailed feedback, to ensure everyone is in with a chance of scooping a coveted trophy. You can check out the entry criteria for all our Vendor, Distributor, Reseller and General categories here, here, here and here, respectively, to decide which are most relevant to your company.

3) Crafting a winning entry

To help you craft an award-winning entry, please check out the hints and tips on the dedicated Channel Awards hub and also on the entry page itself.

While the judges do appreciate quirky and multi-media entries as a break from the norm, as highlighted in this article, the key to a good entry is the content - it has to be relevant, engaging and entirely UK based. Firms are not penalised for submitting a text-only entry, as long as it adheres to the guidelines, is personal, UK relevant and is not just copy-and-paste from a corporate website.

Please do read the article, as it provides handy tips from the judges themselves on what they think makes a winning entry.

4) Today's deadline

All entries must be in by 5pm today, and there are no extensions. However, if you have any queries or problems, please email [email protected]

5) What happens next...

The Channel Awards will take place in November at a glittering black-tie ceremony held at the Battersea events arena (pictured), with over 1,600 industry movers and shakers in attendance.

We at CRN appreciate the time and effort that goes into completing an entry, and the submission will be read thoroughly by two seasoned channel judging panels - one in August, before the shortlist is announced in September; and then the winners are decided at another judging day in October.

Good luck to all!