The 2011 call for nominations will open in January

1. Best Advertising Campaign

• Consumer Electronics
• Large Domestic Appliances
• Small Domestic Appliances  

Awarded for the most creative and effective advertising campaign which supports and underpins the sales activity of a CE/DA product, with effectiveness being demonstrated via consumer awareness and sales results.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Innovation in creative execution
• Campaign success
• Impact on sales

2. Technical Innovation Award

• Consumer Electronics 
• Large Domestic Appliances
• Small Domestic Appliances

Awarded for the most innovative product (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), with effectiveness being demonstrated via operational features and consumer benefits. 

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Technical innovation
• Operational features
• Consumer benefits
• Product success

3. Eco/Energy Saving Award

• Consumer Electronics
• Large Domestic Appliances
• Small Domestic Appliances

Awarded for the most innovative product (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), or manufacturing process, which has made a significant contribution to environmental issues, such as energy saving, emissions controls, noise reduction or life cycle costs.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product’s eco-friendly features (environmental and energy saving)
• Operational features
• Customer benefits
• Product success

4. Best Training Award

• Consumer Electronics
• Large Domestic Appliances
• Small Domestic Appliances

Awarded to the electrical goods manufacturer who demonstrates the greatest commitment to training its retail trade partners, and helping them to remain competitive, achieve business success and deliver best results for the manufacturer.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Investment in retail partners training
• Choice of training methods and formats
• Flexibility of training provision – demonstrating their understanding of the business needs of the independent
• Impact on retail partners’ business

5. Best Accessory

• Consumer Electronics
• Domestic Appliances

Awarded for the most innovative accessory in both the CE and DA sectors which helped to create of a significant revenue stream for both the manufacturer and independent retailers.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product ranges’ suitability for independents
• Sales support (material and activity)
• Sales effectiveness through the independent channel

6. Best Floorcare Product

Awarded for the most innovative floorcare product (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), with effectiveness being demonstrated via operational features and consumer benefits. 

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Technical innovation
• Operational features
• Consumer benefits (inc suitability for particular needs)
• Product success 

7. Best Personal Care Product – Male and Female

Awarded for the most innovative personal care product – male or female - (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), with its effectiveness demonstrated via operational features and consumer benefits. 

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Technical innovation
• Operational features
• Consumer benefits (inc. suitability for particular needs)
• Product success

8. Lifetime Contribution Award 
    Sponsored by LG

Awarded to the individual, who, in the opinion of his/her peers, has demonstrated a life-long contribution to the electrical industry and continued support for the independent sector.

9. Special Representation Award 
    Sponsored by Retra

Awarded for the best manufacturer’s representative. For this award independent electrical retailers nominate the sales representative who best supports them with their help and advice. 

10. Ultimate Top Supplier 

Awarded to the best electrical manufacturer who has achieved greatest recognition amongst independent electrical retailers for their services to them and who supports them most effectively. This includes investment in product development particularly suitable for the independent channel, terms and conditions of delivery, training provision and after-sales service.

11. Best Large Independent Retailer - Consumer Electronics
       Sponsored by Samsung

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover above £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of consumer electronics. 

Entries are required to demonstrate: 

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

12. Best Small Independent Retailer - Consumer Electronics
       Sponsored by Samsung

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover below £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of consumer electronics. 

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

13. Best Large Independent Retailer - Domestic Appliances
      Sponsored by Neff

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover above £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of domestic appliances. 

Entries are required to demonstrate: 

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business. 

14. Best Small Independent Retailer - Domestic Appliances
      Sponsored by Neff

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover below £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of domestic appliances.

Entries are required to demonstrate: 

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

15. Best Customer Service Award
      Sponsored by Domestic & General

Awarded to the best independent retailer (large or small) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its professionalism and overall commitment to the effective delivery of customer service excellence. 

Entries are required to demonstrate: 

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service Initiatives
• Special 'added-value' Promotions
• Customer Testimonials (where available)
• Overall Business Ethos

 Entry guidelines ...

All finalists will benefit from a highly-effective and targeted form of promotion and visibility, prior to, during and after the event, so what have you got to lose...   

It's easy to enter so there are no excuses for missing out on this prestigious event in the independent electrical industry calendar. You may enter as many categories as you wish and you may nominate your own company, or another that you know or work with. Category finalists will be promoted throughout April and May 2011 when the online voting facility will be available to your supporters - all you have to do is make sure that they vote for you!

All completed entries must be received by no later than 17.00 on Friday 25th February 2011. All entries will be judged by a panel of independent adjudicators whose decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into with respect to those decisions. The winners will be announced at the awards dinner on 23rd June 2011.