How to Enter

On the entry form, include a thorough synopsis for each of the sections below, explaining the purpose and scope of your project. Be sure to follow the guidelines laid out in the category descriptions, as the judges will look for those elements when selecting winners. The synopsis for each section is limited to 1,000 characters (including spaces).

• Objectives: Describe the situation (introduction to members, QCS program rebrand or re-launch, webinars, podcasts, print collateral, social media campaigns, websites, training and educational seminars, etc.) and the objectives you set out to accomplish with the program promotion project.
• Execution: Explain the marketing approach and implementation process. Please keep the explanation straightforward, include messaging rationale for the project and include a list of campaign elements.
• Design: Explain the design approach and creative rationale for the project.
• Results: What results did you achieve and how did you measure them? Simply put, how did your project perform? Carefully tie your results back to your objectives. If results differed from your objectives, explain why. Also include any unplanned events that may have directly affected your results.

Acceptable File Types and Zip File Submission

We encourage you to enter press releases, design concepts, videos, campaign analytics, testimonials, and any other relevant materials you believe will give the judges a better sense of your project. You may also include proprietary or internal information, which will not be shared publicly if labeled as proprietary.

Creative and data files must be uploaded in a zip file (.zip). Acceptable file types:

• Creative: .pdf, .jpg, .gif, .mp3, .ppt, .png
• Data: .doc, .xls, .txt
• Video: Video entries must be submitted as links (up to five) on the entry form

If you are submitting multiple entries, be sure to complete a separate entry form for each submission and upload a separate zip file for each submission. All files related to an individual entry should be submitted in the same zip file.

Submit Files Digitally via Dropbox

For every award submission, you must provide an electronic submission folder as a zip file (.zip). Each submission shall be uploaded as a digital submission in your personalized Dropbox folder(s), which QCS Purchasing Cooperative will invite you to after you submit your entry form(s). Projects will be judged from the electronic submission materials.

Here’s how it works:

1. On the online submission entry form, please include the name of the person in charge of uploading all submission criteria to Dropbox as the company contact.
2. Once QCS Purchasing Cooperative receives your submission entry form, we will email you an invitation to a personalized Dropbox folder for each individual entry. If you are submitting multiple entries, you will receive an email invitation to a separate folder for each project.
3. On your computer, create a folder for each submission (all files related to an individual entry should be submitted in the same zip file) and create a zip file of the folder.
4. For each award entry, please include the following in a zipped file folder, which you will upload to the appropriate Dropbox folder:
   
   • Project summary sheet, which should include links to any video files you are submitting
   • Relevant files for the project or campaign, including images, PDFs, presentations, data, etc.
5. Click the Dropbox link in your email invitation and upload the zip file.

Materials that cannot be uploaded via Dropbox should be mailed to:

Lori Watkins
QCS Purchasing Cooperative
901 Warrenville Road, Suite 405
Lisle, IL 60532

All entries submitted by mail must be postmarked by July 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. Central.