National Economic Development Awards 2008
CALL FOR ENTRIES 2008
The Economic Development Australia National Awards for Economic Development Excellence (EDA Awards) are open from Tuesday 15 July, closing at 5:00pm (Central Standard Time) on Monday 25 August 2008. The finalists will be announced and winners presented at the 2008 National Economic Development Australia Conference Gala Dinner in Brisbane on Wednesday 8 October 2008.
Judges will consider a number of elements in assessing the applications including:
- Planning
- Innovation / creativity / new approach
- Process / quality of content
- Resourcefulness / sustainability / partnerships
- Benefits / effectiveness
- Measurement / evaluation
- Contribution to the Economic Development Profession
The EDA Awards have been developed to recognise and reward outstanding examples of economic development practice in each of the following categories:
- Strategic Economic Development Award
Note: This category is split into two sub-categories: One is for a National project and the other for a Regional project.
These awards will recognise organisations (or individuals) that can demonstrate an holistic, realistic, sustainable and measurable approach to the economic development strategic planning process through:
a) Projects that have (or have the potential to have) an impact on a national basis (Australia wide).
b) Projects that have (or have the potential to have) an impact on a regional basis (This could be state-wide or on a regional basis such as a group of neighbouring local government areas.)
These two awards are open to any Non Government Organisation, Local Council, State or Australian Government authority that can demonstrate and exhibit that economic development is integral to their core business and is embedded in their strategic planning. This might include areas such as employment / workforce / investment / industrial and commercial development.
- Economic Development Marketing Award
This award will recognise an organisation or individual that is able to demonstrate a measurable increase in economic activity through effective marketing. This may include (but not be limited to) combined use of internet, promotional material, marketing strategies, merchandise, public relations, media advertising etc.
- Economic Development Partnerships Award
This award will recognise an economic development project whereby a partnership approach was instrumental in its success. Outcomes and benefits may include (but not be limited to):
- job creation;
- investment attraction;
- residential, commercial or industrial estate development;
- the expansion of a business or industry;
- the attraction of a business or industry;
- Skills development and / or retention; and
- increased tourism / visitation.
The partnership may be a combination of public and private sector organisations. Partners may be economic development organisations or non-economic development organisations.
- Environmental Economic Innovation Award
This award will recognise initiatives which have resulted in economic growth associated with environmental / sustainable practices. Special consideration will be given to those that can demonstrate innovative components.
- Indigenous Economic Development Award
This award will recognise a program / initiative which has resulted in the increased economic benefit for an indigenous community (or communities) or industry (industries). This category is open to both indigenous and non-indigenous organisations.
- Economic Development Leadership Award
This award will recognise an individual who has undertaken outstanding service in progressing the recognition of economic development in the broader community. This award is split into two categories:
a) Elected / Committee (This person does not have to be an EDA member but the person nominating them does)
b) Employee (This person must be a current EDA member but can be nominated by either an EDA member or a non-EDA member)
To view the Awards questions prior to registering, please click here.
CONDITIONS
- There is no entry fee
- Applicants may submit in more than one category (if each application is a different project) but the same application cannot be used for different categories
- Previous years EDA Award winners can not resubmit the same applications unless there have been significant new developments
- Awards presented will be to the organisation or person named on the application form
- Projects eligible must have had the bulk of their activities occur at some stage from 1 July 07 – 30 June 08
- Entries / submissions will be received from 15 July 2008 to 5:00pm (Central Standard Time) Monday 25 August 2008
- Alterations to applications will not be permitted after the date of submission although submissions may be withdrawn prior to announcement of winners
- A representative must be present at the gala function on 8 October 2008
- Entry is open to any individual, business or organisation whether they are an EDA member or not (with the exception of category 6. See category 6 for details)
- EDA reserves the right not to present an award or awards if it believes that the existing level or quality of applications is insufficient
- Applicants must not correspond with any member (or members) of the judging panel in reference to their application
- The judge’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into
- The Awards are subject to these conditions as well as those detailed in other sections of this document
- Economic Development Australia reserves the right to alter, modify, remove or add to these conditions at its discretion without notice
Lodgement of application(s):
Applications are to be lodged online at www.edaustralia.com.au (Follow the links to the awards section.) Applicants will be able to fill in an online form and upload attachments (up to 5MB) as supporting documentation.
If applicants are not able to access the internet due to isolation, they are to contact Richard Walker on (02) 9528 7864, Simon Millcock on (08) 8562 2511 or Chris Ryan on (02) 6592 5346.
Judging:
A judging panel comprising leading Australian economic development practitioners (who have no conflict of interest with the applications) will be used to assess and judge the applications. They may consider withholding awards in any category at their discretion. The decision of the judges will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Applicants need to consider the importance of protecting the intellectual property which may be contained in applications. Applicants need to protect any intellectual property relating to innovative ideas prior to it being publicly disclosed. Economic Development Australia accepts no responsibility or liability for loss of any commercial privilege or any other things which constitutes loss or damage as a result of an entry in these awards.
Award Winners
All finalists will be invited to the Awards Presentation Dinner. Edited summaries of the finalists and award winning entries may be published on the internet and in the media.
Economic Development Australia reserves the right to use all or any of the materials entered in the competition for promotion of the awards. Under no circumstances shall the organisers be held responsible for the payment of royalties or other charges for the use of material provided in support of the awards. All entries become the property of EDA on submission.
No responsibility for loss or misdirection of entries will be accepted by EDA or its contractors.
The Economic Development Australia Awards for Economic Development Excellence are being held concurrently with the National Economic Development Australia Conference 8-9 October 2008 to be held in Brisbane with the Awards Dinner being held on the evening of day 1 (Wednesday 8 October 2008). Details of how to register for the Conference and for the Dinner can be found at www.edaustralia.com.au.
(Note: These two events can be attended separately.)