World Mail Awards FAQ's

  
     
     
  1. Who can apply for the awards?

The awards recognise best practice in the mail industry. They are open to application by any postal operator, public or private. Some of the awards are also open to post office retail networks and to industry suppliers, such as equipment manufacturers or postal technology providers.
 		  
     
  2. Why should I apply for the awards?

The World Mail Awards are the ultimate recognition for your new product, initiative, or postal reform. The World Mail Awards are the most publicised and well known awards in the mail industry. The awards are given out at a gala dinner attended by the upper levels of the global postal industry, so it’s a great way to get the recognition of your colleagues and/or customers in the postal industry. The event is well publicised in the trade press, so it’s the ideal way to make the public aware of your initiatives. Press releases announcing the winners are issued to the relevant media, and the winners are also featured on our website.
 		  
     
  3. How do I apply for the awards?

Applications are accepted via an online form on the Mail Awards website www.mailawards.com. If you have any problems with the online form or need help with the application, feel free to contact the Mail Awards staff.
 		  
     
  4. How much is it going to cost me?

Application for the awards is free of charge. If you are shortlisted for one of the awards, you will be invited to the awards gala dinner. There is a nominal charge to attend this dinner, in addition to whatever travel expenses you may incur.
 		  
     
  5. Which award should I apply for?

Read the descriptions of the awards carefully and apply for the one that you feel best reflects the product or initiative you wish to put forward. If you are uncertain about which category to apply in, look at the previous winners of the awards on the website to get an idea what sort of initiatives the judges are looking for in each category.

If you still are unsure which category is right for you, contact the Mail Awards staff and we can help you to choose.
 

  
     
  6. Can I apply for the Industry Leadership award?

This award is open to public nomination up to the 1st December 2007, following which the winner of the Industry Leadership Award will be selected by a specially chosen panel.
 		  
     
  7. Can I apply for more than one award?

Yes! There is no limit to the number of applications you can make. In the past, some applicants have submitted the same initiative for more than one award. If you feel that your initiative qualifies for more than one award category, then feel free to submit it for more then one award. Please modify each award application so that it is clear to the judges why that initiative should be considered for that award.
 		  
     
 

8. Can I nominate my client or another third party for an award?

Yes. If you would like to nominate another company (i.e one that you do not work for) for an award, submit an application through the normal means. Under applicant name, please put your name and your company. Under question 1, please make it clear that you are nominating another company. Also, please include a contact person and telephone number at the company being nominated so that we may contact them directly should they be shortlisted. Please make sure that the party you are nominating agrees to be nominated.
 

  
     
  9. Some of the questions on the application form are not relevant to me. Do I need to answer every question?

No. It is perfectly acceptable to leave some questions blank if you feel that they are not relevant to your application. The application form is a standard template and the judges understand that not every question is relevant in every category.
 		  
     
  10. Can I submit product samples, brochures or other documents to support my application?

Please do not submit any physical supporting documentation or product samples with your initial application. It is not possible for us to distribute these to the judges. You may submit a maximum of 3 pieces of electronic material which must not exceed 1MB in size and must be either pdf or jpg format.

Ideally, your written application should contain enough information for the judges to make a decision. If you like, your application may contain links to a website which the judges can view for more information.
 

  
     
  11. What sort of testimonials should I provide?

On the application, you should ideally include one or several quotes from customers or other third parties supporting your product or initiative. If your application is shortlisted, we may ask you for permission to contact them directly. If you do not have any testimonials, then leave this part of the application blank.
 		  
     
  12. Can I modify my application?

Yes. When you submit your application, you will have to choose a user ID and a password. With these, you may later return to the website and modify your application by following the links to apply, and then “modify an existing application”. You will then be asked for your e-mail address and password to access your application.
 		  
     
  13. Can I resubmit last year’s application?

Yes, however, it is always better if you update the application with relevant successes from the last year.
 		  
     
  14. How are the winners chosen?

Each award has a panel of industry experts who act as judges. The judges come from various parts of the world and do not meet in person until the day of the awards dinner. The shortlisted candidates are chosen by a vote of the judges after viewing the applications on-line. The judges then meet hours before the awards dinner to select a winner from among the shortlist. Once the shortlist has been selected, the judges may ask you for more information to help them make a decision. If this is the case, you will be contacted by a member of the Mail Awards staff.
 		  
     
  15. What are the judges looking for?

The organisers of the awards have no influence over the judges and do not involve themselves in the selection of the winners. However, as a word of advice to potential applicants, the judges are always looking for concrete evidence of the success of initiatives. If your initiative resulted in increased revenues, say so in your application. If your initiative improved service quality, provide figures to back up this claim. Also, keep your answers to the questions on the application as short as you can.
 		  
     
  16. When will the shortlist be announced?

The list of finalists will be announced in the first few weeks of April.

  
     
  17. What happens if I am shortlisted for an award?

If your application makes the shortlist, you will then be invited to register to attend the awards gala dinner which usually precedes the World Mail and Express Europe conference. The dinner is attended by 300 top executives from the postal world and a celebrity guest is present to introduce the winners. (You must pre-register and pay in order to attend the dinner.)
If you are the winner you will be called forward to make an acceptance speech.
 		  
     
  18. What happens if I am unable to attend the dinner to collect the award if I win?

It is always best if you are at the dinner to claim your award if you win, but you do not have to be present. If you are shortlisted and you cannot be present, you may nominate one of the other guests to accept the award on your behalf, or you may ask the organisers to accept the award on your behalf.