HADC Informational Resource: Export achievement awards

From: Commerce News Room

To: Hartford Area Development Corporation
Subject: Export achievement awards

Dear Partner in Economic Growth,

In the last few years exports have contributed the lion's share of any growth seen in this country. More companies should be taking advantage of currently favorable exchange rates and other conditions in key markets. I would like to enlist your assistance in spreading the word about the benefits of exporting by saluting Wisconsin companies that have been succeeding. If you are aware of firms in your community that have held their own during these troubled economic times or expanded because of their involvement in international markets, please nominate them or encourage them to nominate themselves for the Governor's Export Atonement Awards. Nominations for the 2011 awards can be submitted between now and Friday, April 15. This year's awards will be presented on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the 47th annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference in Milwaukee.

Any agricultural, forestry, industrial, high technology or service enterprise successfully engaging in or assisting in the export of Wisconsin-origin products or services can be nominated. Nominations can be made by an employee of the firm or organization, or by an outside person familiar with the firm or organization. Self nominations are encouraged.

AWARDS CATEGORIES:
·Agricultural Exporter - food, farm, or forestry products
·Manufacturing Exporter - non-agricultural manufactured products
·Service Exporter - services provided to customers in other countries
·High Tech Exporter - scientific, medical, or other cutting edge products
·Export Assistance Provider - firms or organizations that do not have direct international sales, but provide assistance to Wisconsin exporters

CRITERIA:
Nominees must show innovation, effectiveness, and special effort in growing exports, enhancing employment, the economy, and Wisconsin's international prestige. Nominees will be evaluated against organizations or firms of similar size. Export Plus categories may be created for nominees who have won previously or have engaged in substantially superior efforts. Judges may present Special Awards for those whose efforts deserve additional recognition. The judges' decisions are final and they reserve the right to withhold the presentation of an award in a category if there is not a suitable entry.

SUBMISSION:
The Nomination/Application submission must include the following five sections. Sections 2-5 should be no more than two pages in length each. Winners are chosen based upon the details provided in the Nomination/Application.

1) Cover Page with:
        Name of the nominated company or organization as it should appear on the award, if selected;
        Street address;
        City, state, zip;
        Name of the nominee's President or Chief Executive Officer;
        Name of the firm's international sales executive, if different;
        Telephone and FAX number and e-mail address of the primary international contact;
        Website;
        Award category from one of the following:
            - Agricultural,
            - Manufacturing,
            - High-Tech,
            - Service Exporter or
            - Export Assistance Provider;
        Numbers of employees in Wisconsin and number worldwide;
        Name and headquarters location of parent firm or organization, if any;
        Name and title of the person making the nomination;
        Relationship to nominated company or organization; and
        Telephone/FAX numbers and e-mail address of the person making the nomination.

2) Nominee Profile describing the nominee, its products/services, and its customers as well as why it deserves to be recognized with an Export Achievement Award (two page maximum);

3) International Activities describing the actions taken or strategies pursued by the nominee to increase international business over the last three years or longer (two page maximum);

4) Export Growth or Continuing Commitment achieved over the last three years, such as increased export sales increased number of export destinations, increased market share in existing international markets, or increased employment in Wisconsin to meet international demand. Efforts to keep existing markets can also be cited. (two page maximum); and

5)Significant Contributions made by the nominee that have promoted the importance of international business to other Wisconsin companies or individuals, such as involvement of supply chain, participation in trade associations, mentoring of other Wisconsin businesses, supporting international education, etc. (two page maximum).

The Nomination/Application submission should be no more than nine pages, however appendices containing samples of promotional literature, press reports, or other supporting material can be included.

Nominations/Applications must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011. Submissions can be sent by courier, mail, or e-mail to:

Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Bureau of Export Development
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 267-0639
international@wisconsin.gov

Follow the link to view past winners by year (http://commerce.wi.gov/IE/IE-ExportAwards-PastWinners-year.html) or by category (http://commerce.wi.gov/IE/IE-ExportAwards-PastWinners-category.html).

Sincerely,

Tony Hozeny

Communications Director

Department of Commerce

608/267-9661