The Twentieth Annual Awards for Publication Excellence
Competition

APEX Categories
You may enter in any of 110 categories under 11 headings, including newsletters; magazines and journals; magapapers and newspapers; annual reports; brochures, manuals and reports; electronic and video publications; Web and intranet sites; campaigns, programs and plans; writing; design and illustration; and special publications.

Which categories are new or revised this year?
New and revised categories include

--Health & Medical Campaigns
--Member & Customer Communications Campaigns
--Science & Technology Writing
--News Series
--How-to Series
--Employee & Benefit Materials
--Member & Customer Materials
--One-of-a-Kind Science & Environment
--and One-of-a-Kind Public Service.

APEX Sponsors
What is APEX and who sponsors it?
APEX is the Annual Awards for Publication Excellence Competition. It is open to communicators in corporate, nonprofit and independent settings. This is the twentieth annual APEX, which began in 1988.

APEX is sponsored by the editors of Writing That Works, the newsletter for communicators who write, edit and manage business publications. Writing That Works is published by Communications Concepts, Inc., providing problem-solving information to professional communicators since 1984.

What does Communications Concepts, the APEX sponsor, do?
Communications Concepts, Inc. helps publishing, PR and marketing professionals improve publications and communications programs through a series of focused services:

1. Concepts has published Writing That Works: The Business Communications Report since 1990, and its predecessors since 1984. Writing That Works is the authoritative monthly newsletter on practical writing, editing and communications for business. Subscribers include corporate, nonprofit, agency and independent communicators.

2. Concepts also sponsors PEP, the Publication Evaluation Program. In addition, Concepts publishes reports on business writing and communications, and provides consulting services to organizations in the communications field.

APEX Entry Forms and Brochures
What can I enter?
You can enter materials produced or dated from January 2007 through March 2008, even if they carry a later date.

Can I download the APEX 2008 Call for Entries Brochure and the Easy Entry Form?
Yes. Download the Call for Entries Brochure (pdf) Note: Also download the Easy On-screen Entry Form (pdf). You can fill this form out on your computer screen, then print it out.

Can I make copies of the PDF APEX Easy Entry Form?
Yes. As many as you need. If you plan to enter more than one publication, here's a time-saving tip. Fill out items 4 through 6 (standard information that repeats for each entry) of the Easy Entry Form on your computer screen, then make a duplicate copy of the PDF entry form to use for the next entry. Repeat for each additional entry. (If you're paying by credit card, you only have to enter your credit card data on the first entry form.)

Note: The PDF Easy On-screen Entry Form is your best choice since it includes all the entry information on one page. And you can fill the form out online, giving you an instant computer copy for your records, when you're done.

However, you may also print the form out and fill it out by hand, or do the same with the form included in the Call for Entries brochure. They are less convenient ways to do it since you'll have to fill them out by hand, or find a typewriter, but they also will work.

Do I have to attach written descriptions of my entries and what I was trying to accomplish with them?
No. Additional written documentation is not required.

Can I enter more than one category?
Yes. You can enter as many as you like.

Can I enter the same publication in more than one category?
Yes. There is no restriction. You'll need a separate entry form and entry fee for each category in which you enter the same publication.

What does "Custom-Published" mean?
"Custom-Published" refers to a publication customized to the specific needs of a client by an outside agency or firm. The outside agency produces the entire publication, including editorial, design and printing. Client staff participate by setting goals for, and evaluating progress of, the publication. Client staff also may provide content ideas, and in some cases, a limited amount of editorial content.

We qualify for the Small Office designation on the Easy Entry Form. But we're also a Nonprofit organization. Should we check both? Yes. If you qualify for the Small Office designation, you're entitled to check that box. That designation is intended to provide a more "level playing field" for entries from organizations--whether nonprofit or corporate--with smaller publication staffs. If you check Small Office, your entries will be evaluated in relation to other Small Office entries in your category.

"Small Office" only refers to the number of publications staff in your organization.

You are considered a Small Office if your organization has 1 to 5 publications staff.

How many copies should I send of each entry?
Send one copy for each entry. When entering a periodical, such as a magazine, send the single best issue. When entering a writing series, send one tearsheet or copy of each article in the series.

How should I send article entries?
Send article entries as tearsheets, rather than sending the entire publication.

What should I send for "Most Improved" entries?
For Most Improved and Best Redesigns and Best Rewrites categories, enclose one sample of the old publication, project or article, and one sample of the new publication, project or article. Label one as "old" (January 1, 2004 on) and the other as "new" (January 1, 2007 on).

For Most Improved periodicals (newsletters, magazines, journals, magapapers and newspapers), enclose one issue of the old periodical, and one sample of the new periodical. Label one as "old" (January 1, 2004 on) and the other as "new" (January 1, 2007 on).

Why does the entry form ask for the code on my mailing label?
It helps us track results from mailing lists that we rent. The code--or no code if your entry form has no code or label--does not affect the judging in any way. The judges pay zero attention to the code. Truly.

If there's no code on your APEX brochure or envelope, Write "N/A" for "no code" in the space asking for the mailing label code. If you trashed the envelope, no problem, just write "N/A".

And if you're filling out the PDF Easy Entry Form on your computer screen, just type in "WEB" in the space asking for the mailing code label.

Any tips for filling out the entry form?
YES! Your very best choice is to use the PDF entry form. Just download and fill out this Easy Entry Form (pdf) on your computer screen (you can tab through the questions), saving the bother of typewriters or filling out the form by hand.

(Then just print it out and mail or ship your entry form with your entry [1 entry form for each entry] and payment to the APEX Awards in Springfield, VA.)

It's pretty straightforward, but do print CLEARLY if you're hand-printing the paper Entry Form. Double check that your address is correct, including any room or suite numbers, mail stops, etc.

If you're typing in the PDF entry form, give it a quick check to make sure no important information is cut off at the end of each box.

And be sure to fill in the category name and number of your entry, and clearly write or type the title of your entry.

Neatness is important! Should you win an award, you'll want your name and/or your organization name correctly spelled!!!

Will the judges nitpick my entry forms?
No. Obviously, it helps if we can read your handwriting! It really is a very simple entry form. It's short and easy to fill out. When we receive your entries, we'll make every effort to check them to make sure your publications are entered in appropriate categories. (They almost always are.) In the few cases where they are not, the judges will move them to more appropriate categories (where you'll have a better chance of winning). We won't simply disqualify them.

If needed information is missing from your entry form (again, a rare event), we'll try to contact you. We won't just disqualify your entry and move on.

How do I send Web and intranet entries?
1. Type (best choice) or clearly print your site's URL (e.g., http://www.apexawards.com) on the entry form.

Please be extremely careful to give us your EXACT, correctly-spelled URL, with any necessary spaces, dashes and underscores as it appears when you type it into your browser. The judges will use your URL to access your site with standard Web browsers, such as Firefox, Safari and Explorer.

2. Attach a screen shot or printout of your Web or intranet site's home page (so we'll make sure we've accessed the right site).

3. If you're entering an individual page or section, attach a printout or screen shot of the individual page or the first page of the section.

4. If you can't arrange online access to your intranet (with a temporary password [we'll keep it confidential, of course], valid through June, 2008), it's not a problem. Just send a PDF of your site, or hard copy printouts/screen shots of your home page and representative sub-pages. (The judges will make allowances for the fact that you're sending your intranet in printed format.)

5. For Most Improved Web and intranet sites, provide the URL for your new site, and send representative printouts/screen shots of your home page and representative sub-pages. The judges will take into consideration the fact that your old site is not "live" online.

NOTE: If you want your site to stay exactly the same between the time you submit it and the time the judges review it -- or if you have a password-protected intranet site for which providing access to the judges is difficult or impossible -- you also can submit your site as a PDF file or as a Web Archive file on a CD.

How do I send electronic and video publications?
Send your video, electronic or online publications in any of these formats:

1. URLs, if we can access your online publications using standard browsers. Type or print clearly on the entry form.

2. PDFs. Give us a URL address for your PDF (e.g. www.apexawards.com/apex_broch.pdf), or send your PDF on a CD. (No floppy disks or zip disks, please!)

3. CDs or DVDs. PDFs work well, as do Word, PowerPoint, QuickTime and Windows Media files.

4. Videotape (1/2" VHS).

5. Hard copy printouts/screen shots are always acceptable.

Note: Even if you give us a URL for your electronic or online publication, it is important to attach a printout/screen shot of the publication's first page to your entry form, so we can be sure we're looking at the correct enty.

APEX Judging
What are the judging criteria?
APEX awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the success of the entry--in the opinion of the judges--in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence.

Who are the judges?
The panel of judges includes John De Lellis, Concepts Editor & Publisher; Carolyn Mulford, Senior Evaluator in Concepts' Publication Evaluation Program (PEP) and Writing That Works Senior Writer & Editor; Christine Turner, Contributing Editor of Writing That Works; and Bill Londino, Consulting Editor of Writing That Works.

APEX Eligibility
Who can enter APEX?
The APEX AWARDS Competition is open to communicators in corporate, nonprofit and independent settings -- including companies, freelancers, advertising and communications agencies, associations, national, regional, state/provincial, city and local government agencies, and other public and private institutions.

Do I need expensive publications to win an APEX award?
Not at all. Obviously, the judges see some pretty slick stuff produced at great cost. But we also get modestly-funded publications that show strong creative strategies and effective communication. They also win APEX awards.

Can I enter APEX even if I'm a non-subscriber?
Yes! You do not have to subscribe to Writing That Works to enter APEX. Subscribers are entitled to lower entry fees. If you're considering subscribing to Writing That Works, doing so when you enter APEX saves you money on the subscription rate and on your APEX entries.

Entry Fees
What is the entry fee?
$69 per entry (Writing That Works subscribers); $89 per entry, non-subscribers. 

If I pay by credit card, under what name will the charge appear on my credit card statement?
The charge will appear on your credit card statement under our company name, Communications Concepts, Inc.--not under APEX. Your credit card company may even abbreviate our company name to something like "COMM CONCEPTS/APEX" or "COMM CONCEPTS INC APEX", or they may simply display some variant of Communications Concepts, Inc.

Can I send one check or credit card authorization for multiple entries?
Yes! We strongly encourage you to send in just one check or credit card authorization for for the total amount of your multiple entries.

NOTE: If you pay by credit card, and have more than one entry, just enter your credit card information (item #7 on the entry form) for the total amount of all your entries on the first entry form, and leave that section blank on the remaining entry forms.

We double-check your math and make sure your entries are in order before we charge your card.

To whom should I make the check payable?
To Communications Concepts, Inc. - APEX 2008 Awards.

Do I need your federal I.D. number?
No, you do not. Since Communications Concepts, Inc. is a corporation, you are not required to obtain a 1099 tax form from us.

And since Communications Concepts, Inc. is a corporation, you are not required to obtain Concepts' federal I.D. number in order to send an APEX entry fee, order additional certificates, subscribe to our Writing That Works newsletter or purchase special reports or services.

To minimize identity theft, we do not publish our federal I.D. number.
Canada GST-exempt.

My entry includes confidential information. How can I be sure that you won't publish or showcase it in a Concepts publication?
Simply tell us it's confidential on the entry form or place a note on the publication.

The APEX Awards
How and when will I find out if I won an award?
All entrants will receive a list of winning entries in July. APEX Award winners will be listed in a special Awards Issue of Writing That Works. Grand Award winners will receive attractive plaques commemorating their winning entries. Award of Excellence winners will receive attractive certificates describing their winning entries, suitable for framing.

APEX Award winners may display the APEX logo in their publications and on their Web and intranet sites.

How Will I Know You Got My Entries?
How will I know you received my entries?
Most shippers, such as FedEx, UPS or DHL, provide a tracking service and can tell you when your entries were delivered to our office. Copresco, an APEX Grand Award Winner, provides links to all the major shippers' tracking services for its printing customers.

Of course, your cancelled check or credit card statement also will confirm your entries were received. (In most cases, our office will not be able to confirm receipt of your materials due to the volume of entries we receive.) Please note that you do not have to use expensive overnight or courier services. You may use First Class Mail or non-rush versions of the above shipping services.

If I win an APEX award, can I order more award certificates?
Yes. APEX winners will receive order forms with their award certificates, and may order additional certificates for co-workers, supporting vendors and clients.

If I win an APEX award, can I display the APEX logo in my winning publication or Web site?
Yes. All APEX Award winners receive "APEX WINNER" Logo Repro Sheets for use in their own publications. Electronic versions of the APEX logo (EPS and GIF) also will be available to download, on request, by APEX Award winners. APEX Award winners also may post links to www.ApexAwards.com.

APEX Contacts
Judy Fairbanks
Christine Turner

Mailing
Where do I send my entries?
Communications Concepts, Inc. - APEX 2008 Awards
Attn: Judy Fairbanks
7481 Huntsman Boulevard, #720
Springfield, VA 22153-1648
USA
Phone: 703/643-2200 FAX: 703/643-2329
E-mail:info@ApexAwards.com
Web: http://www.ApexAwards.com