Rules & Regulations

Eligibility: Items produced by or for national, regional, state and local associations and nonprofits between January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. Eligible organization types include associations, professional societies and nonprofits. Suppliers who work on media products for these organizations may also enter on behalf of the association, society or nonprofit. NOTE: Suppliers who enter on behalf of their clients must include complete information for their own organization AND their client organization.

Entry Deadlines & Fees


Entry Fees:

  • Early Bird Entry Fee (ends November 16, 2023) $100.00 per entry and per category
  • Late Entry Fee (ends January 10, 2024) $140.00 per entry and per category

Entry Deadlines:

  • Early Bird Deadline: November 16, 2023 by 11:59 pm EDT  
  • Final Deadline: January 10, 2024 by 11:59 pm EDT

Entries: Print, online, broadcast, electronic and audio/visual entries are accepted for all categories.  If your entry requires a username and/or password, please remember to include it with your entry. **All entries must include a digital sample submitted via Dropbox. ** Entries received without required information in the requested format will be disqualified.

How to enter multiple entries:


Entering multiple entries in the same category: Each entry must have its own entry fee and all of the required information. For example, if you want to submit three different editions of a monthly magazine, you must submit three entry fees and three hardcopies with affixed cover sheets.

Entering the same item in multiple categories: Some entries may fit into more than one category. If you wish to submit your piece into multiple categories, you must treat each entry as a unique unit with its own entry fee, physical sample, etc. For example, if your organization’s Educational Program (Category #20) is also part of your Membership Promotion Kit (Category #15) and you would like to enter it twice, you must submit two entry fees and two physical samples with affixed cover sheets.

Checklist for a complete entry


If all items are not included from the list below, your entry will be disqualified.

1. Entry Title: Please use the formal title of your entry. This is the title that will be used on all awards for winning entries. NOTE: This is not the title of your organization.

2. Entrant Information: Please provide complete contact information: 1) Name of contact 2) Name of organization 3) Phone number 4) Email address 5) Organization address. Please make sure that all information corresponds to one individual within your organization. Only the organization’s name and the item entry title will be printed on the award

3. Credit information: If you have partnered with an outside supplier or vendor that you would like to recognize, please provide their information in “credits” during the entry process. Please do not include additional staff directly employed by your organization.

4. Statement of Purpose: While not required, it is recommended that you provide a paragraph explaining your entry and why it deserves to win. This should be added as a separate page following the cover sheet on your digital submission.

5. Digital Samples: A digital sample of your entry is required. Samples should be submitted here and should be named using the following information in this specific order: category name, entry ID, and organization (example: BestPodcast_ 12345_AssociationTRENDS).  Entries without a digital sample will be disqualified.

6. Cover Sheet: Each entry must be sent with its appropriate cover sheet and it should be attached as the first page. This sheet is available to fill in after submitting your entry online. This cover sheet information necessary for your entry(ies) be considered. If you are submitting multiple entries, ensure that a unique cover sheet is attached to each individual entry. Digital samples without a cover sheet will be disqualified. 

General Judging Guidelines:

  • Suitability for the audience
  • Design attributes
  • Quality of production
  • Quality of content with “eye-catching” or unusual material that engages the audience
  • Use of up to date information with a contemporary look and feel
  • Lack of errors
  • Ease of navigation through the publication, media kit, etc.

 

Notification of Winners: Those who created the entrant account will be notified by e-mail. Winners will be notified in January 2024 and will be featured online and at the 44th Annual Salute to Association Excellence Luncheon in February 2024. We will announce all the winners and the 2024 Pinnacle Award live at the 44th Annual Salute to Association Excellence.

Payment:

  • By credit card: Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover
  • By check: Write a single check for the total amount of entries, made payable to “Columbia Books.” Print out your online payment page and attach to check. Checks must be received by the entry deadline of January 10th. 

 

Where do I send check payments? Association TRENDS
Attn: TRENDY Awards 1530 Wilson Boulevard Suite 400 Arlington, VA 22209

Questions?


Call: 1-888-265-0600
Email: trendy@associationtrends.com
TERMS AGREEMENT – IMPORTANT! By submitting an entry, you agree to the terms as set in these rules. Also, you claim the authority to grant, and do so grant permission to Association TRENDS, a division of Columbia Books to use the image of the entered publication or product, plus any information submitted on the entry form, in any promotional or other related use pertaining to the TRENDY Awards and Salute to Association Excellence program before, during and after the events.