State finalists in 19 categories were announced in April, and will be presenting their innovations at national awards judging in Melbourne on 7-8 May.  Winners will be announced at the 2008 iAwards gala dinner and presentation at Melbourne's Crown Casino on 28 May.

Q: How are the finalists for the iAwards selected?
A: The first phase of state judging is a on-paper review carried out by ICT industry professionals. The judging panel will assess all iAwards nominations in order to select five winners in each category for each state. iAwards judges will assess your nomination against the relevant selection criteria.

The second national phase of judging is designed to enable each of the state winners to present their nominations to a panel of iAwards judges in person. Alternative arrangements will be made for any finalists that are unable to attend the judging event, however, attendance is highly encouraged as it enables the judges to get a much greater insight into the ICT innovation than can be gained over the phone or email. The final judging event will be held in Melbourne before the gala dinner.

Q: If we are selected as a finalist, do we have to travel to Melbourne for the judging?
A: You don’t have to travel to Melbourne for the judging, however, it is strongly encouraged as an in-person presentation is much more impressive and enables the judges to gain a much better insight into your innovation.

Q: When will I find out if I am a finalist and a winner?
A: You will find out if you are one of the finalists in your category by email. The iAwards Project Manager will then contact the individual finalists to discuss the arrangements for attending the judging in Melbourne. A media release will also be sent out to announce the finalists. You will be able to read this media release at AIIA’s website http://www.aiia.com.au.

You will find out if you are a winner by attending the iAwards Gala Dinner. If you cannot attend, we strongly encourage you to invite a proxy to accept the award for you, should you be a winner on the night. A media release will be sent announcing the winners on the evening of the dinner, and an advertisement in the newspapers will announce the winners to a wider audience.

Q: What do I win if I am a winner of an iAward?
A: iAward category winners will win:

• An iAwards trophy, which is theirs to keep
• Acknowledgement in Congratulatory Advertisement in the Australian Financial Review
• Opportunity to participate in speaking engagements at future AIIA events
• Opportunity to participate in iAwards judging in following years
• The right to use iAward winner logo on company publicity materials
• The opportunity to attend the Asia-Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA).

Recipient’s of the iAwards Inspiration Award will receive:

• An iAwards trophy, which is theirs to keep
• Opportunity to participate in speaking engagements at future AIIA events
• Opportunity to participate in iAwards judging in following years
• Acknowledgement in Congratulatory Advertisement in the Australian Financial Review.

Q: What is APICTA and how do I get to go?
A: As the peak representative of the Australian ICT industry, AIIA has strong alliances with the world's leading international computing and communication associations. The Asia-Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) were initiated to increase ICT awareness in the international community and assist in bridging the digital divide. The APICTA network has 14 member-economies and provides an international awards program to showcase innovation, creativity and excellence in ICT in the Asia-Pacific region. APICTA’s member-economies are Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

APICTA provides the region’s ICT entrepreneurs with valuable networking and product benchmarking opportunities, fosters ICT innovation and creativity, promotes economic and trade relations and facilitates technology transfer. APICTA nominees gain access to valuable business matching opportunities through exposure to venture capitalists and investors.

iAward winners are the exclusive Australian representatives at the prestigious awards program. If you are an iAwards winner, you will work with AIIA’s project manager for APICTA to submit your entry and organise your travel to the event.

The 2008 APICTA's will be presented in Jakarta, Indonesia, in late 2008.

Q: Is there a fee to nominate in the iAwards program?
A: The iAwards nomination fee is $330 (inc GST). Secondary School Student or Tertiary School Student nominations are free. Nominations will not be accepted until payment has been received. Payment should be made by credit card using the appropriate section of the nomination form.

Q: Do we need to be an AIIA member to nominate?
A: No, you do not have to be an AIIA member to nominate for an iAward, the program is open to anyone or any company that has an ICT innovation.

A: No, you do not have to be an AIIA member to nominate for an iAward, the program is open to anyone or any company that has an ICT innovation.

Q: Our company has developed a product specifically for a client. Can we enter the iAwards program or does the client have to enter?
A: You are welcome to nominate your company and use your client as a referee or, alternatively, you can submit a joint nomination. iAwards celebrate great partnerships and innovative applications of technology, so we actively encourage the end user to nominate for an award.

Q: Can I submit multiple nominations for my company?

A: You are welcome to nominate your company and use your client as a referee or, alternatively, you can submit a joint nomination. iAwards celebrate great partnerships and innovative applications of technology, so we actively encourage the end user to nominate for an award.A: Yes. Companies are able to submit multiple nominations for the iAwards program, either for the same category or across different categories if the innovation meets the category criteria. If you are submitting multiple nominations, you will need to pay multiple nomination fees.

Q: What are the selection criteria for the iAwards?
A: The iAwards selection criteria are provided as a guide to assist you in completing your nomination, however, you are encouraged to highlight the inspirational and innovative aspects of your nomination. Finalists will be required to address the selection criteria in both phases of judging. The selection criteria are in your nomination pack.

Q: Do I need to supply supporting material?
A: Yes, absolutely. Note that the iAwards selection criteria now includes an optional 3-minute (maximum) video about your product (Flash movies [.FLV] preferred). In addition, you will be asked to attach two photographs illustrating your solution in action that can be used for publicity should you win.

Q: How much is ‘too much’ information?
A: As a courtesy to our judges and due to the large number of nominations we receive, it is important that you keep to the specified word limits in your nomination.

Q: Quality (technology, methodology, packaging and recognition) - what does this mean?
A: The 'quality’ selection criteria measures whether the product:

• shows a good deployment of the latest technology
• satisfies the ISO / CMM standards
• has a degree of compliance with any requirements of its target usage
• has won awards locally, regionally or internationally
• has consistently proven to be a stable and reliable product by users.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with your iAwards campaign, please contact AIIA on (02) 6281 9444

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