ENTRY GUIDELINES + FAQs
KEY DATES
January 1: Nominations open to ILEA members and non-members
February 28: PACE Awards submission deadline at 11:59 PM, EST
March 31: Ken "KJ" Carter Memorial Scholarship deadline
April 1: Nominations announced
TBA: PACE Awards Celebration (typically end of April)
Who can enter the awards?
Most categories are open to ILEA members and non-members. Only "Team Effort" events are for ILEA Indiana members only. A team entry can be entered when three or more companies were instrumental in planning and/or executing an event.
How much is the entry?
Each category entry is $75 for ILEA members in good standing, $150 for non-members. Following the deadline when all entries have been submitted, an online invoice will be sent from the Chapter Administrator to you for all completed entries (typically early March). You may pay by credit card or check.
Every company participating in the "Team Effort" submission must pay the $75 fee.
Can I submit any event?
Events submitted must have occurred between January 1 - December 31 of the previous year.
Are the entries anonymous?
In order to maintain fairness in the judging process, the PACE Awards are submitted entirely online and shared with the judges without any identifying information.
How do I submit my files?
At the end of your entry is a link to drop your files into. DO NOT Include client's name or your name in the entry name or submission file names.
Files must be labeled as the example below:
NAME OF ENTRY - BUDGET
NAME OF ENTRY - MANAGEMENT COLLATERAL - 1 out of 10
NAME OF ENTRY - PRIMARY COLLATERAL - 1 out of 20
*ALL ENTRIES THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THIS RULE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED
Can I include my company name or logo?
Entries are anonymous and should NOT include names or logos of any companies, vendors or clients. This includes all category text responses and support materials. Don't forget to rename files before including them with your submission! Do NOT Include client's name or your name in your entry name or submission file names.
Please note: If a client logo appears in a photograph or video, it is acceptable. The judges do not expect those to be blurred out.
*ALL ENTRIES THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THIS RULE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
How large can the file sizes be?
With the exception of video files, all files included with each submission should 1GB or less
What is important to know when submitting the budget for an event?
Any category that includes a monetary element will require a budget. It is essential that all figures shared in the event budgets are the full retail value. This includes any items used that have been donated or sponsored (partially or in full).
Budget worksheets are included in each category submission link, where required. You may also download a copy HERE
Will my entry be saved?
The online system DOES NOT currently have the capability to save draft entries. It is strongly recommended that each entry be created in a word processing document to ensure you have a working draft to copy and paste into the online format.
When are the entries due?
Online entries are open on September 1st and must be completed by February 28 at 11:59 PM, EST. They may be submitted at any point leading up to the deadline.
Who judges the awards?
The ILEA Indiana Board of Directors reaches out to other chapters and event professionals across North America. The judges are then selected and assigned categories for judging based on their own experience in the industry. All judges have earned their CSEP designation (Certified Special Event Professional).
In general, the entries will be judged on:
- How well the event met its objectives;
- Originality and creativity of the event, product, or services;
- Integration of support collateral materials;
- The quality of the event, attention to detail, and concept;
- Any challenges that were presented and overcome.
How will I know if I am up for an award?
Those with successful submissions (not disqualified) will be notified by the first week of April.
What if I have questions?
If you have questions about the process or run into problems, please send an email to: paceawards@ileaindiana.com
So now what?
Evaluate your events from the past year. What were your biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them? What were the most rewarding and successful events for your business? Use those events as your inspiration to enter for a PACE Award.
As Effie Trinket said in Hunger Games, "May the odds be ever in your favor."