Website and Electronic Communications Awards
The Construction Writers Association Website Awards were established in 1998 to acknowledge excellence in online journalism. Since then, the CWA Website Awards have expanded to include marketing-oriented websites and other digital media, such as e-newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and streaming video. These media are considered in the Electronic Communication Awards, which were added to the Website Awards in 2006.
CWA's Website and Electronic Communication Awards are open to any construction-related individual, company, association, advertising agency, public relations firm, or publication submitting a completed entry form accompanied by an entry fee. View past winners »
Award Specifications
Awards are limited to construction-related materials. Entries can be journalism-oriented and provide editorial content that meets the information needs of the construction industry. Or, they may be marketing communications-oriented and provide corporate communications, public relations, and even advertising for a construction-related entity.
The competition is open to any construction-related individual, company, association, advertising agency, public relations firm, or publication submitting a completed entry form accompanied by a $100 entry fee per entry.
Entries will be divided into categories at the discretion of the judges. There will be a Website Award and an Electronic Communications Award. Separate awards may be awarded in sub-categories (such as blog or webcast), should a specific entry distinguish itself to the judges. The winner or winners will receive an award plaque and be recognized at the awards dinner, in the CWA newsletter and on the CWA website. The judges also may elect to award Certificates of Merit to worthy entries. Judges reserve the right to not select a winner in any category where they deem the entries do not meet award standards.
Whenever possible, winning entries will be linked to the CWA website.
Judges
Judging will be conducted by an impartial panel of peers with acknowledged expertise in business communication, website design and electronic communications, selected by the CWA Website and Electronic Communications Awards Committee. The committee serves to screen entries to ensure they meet the prescribed entry rules. No individual is eligible to serve as a judge if he or she has submitted an entry in this awards program or is affiliated with an individual or organization that has submitted an entry. Decisions of the judges will be final.
Judging Criteria
Websites will be judged on the basis of the following criteria, each carrying equal weight:
- Quality of content
- Overall design
- Use of innovative and accessible technology
- Navigation
- Search functionality
- Interactivity
- Reason to return to site
- Meets stated objectives
Electronic Communications will be judged on the basis of the following criteria, and our judges will consult to determine if any additional criteria may be needed. Since this is the second year for this award, flexibility in criteria is required to manage a fair competition.
- Effective use of technology
- Quality of content
- Design and graphics
- Accessibility (ease of use)
- Meets stated objectives
- Overall impression
Entry Requirements
Entrants must submit to the chairman a completed entry form either as a hard copy via mail, fax, or in an e-mail to beth.margulies@necanet.org with the subject line: CWA 2007 WEBSITE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION AWARD. Entry forms are available in the brochure or on the CWA website, www.constructionwriters.org.
Only electronic submissions are eligible for this category. Printed copies of websites, screen shots, or electronic communications sent via mail will not be considered. Entries should include a specific URL for Website Awards consideration. Judges must be able to access all parts of the website or a complete copy of the electronic communication being submitted between August 15 and October 1, 2007. A user name and/or password must be included in order to consider any private or password-protected pages.
Electronic communications can be submitted as URLs, PDF files, or digital image, mpeg, wav, or flash files, attached to your submission e-mail. Please note, NECA's e-mail security settings may prevent receipt of your entry. Please call Beth Margulies at 301-215-4526 if you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within three business days of your submission.
The entry fee is $100 per entry. Separate forms are required for separate entries from the same organization. Several entry fees from a single organization may be combined into one check or credit card authorization.
All entries must be received no later than Friday, August 24, 2007.
Your entry must be sent to the chairman.
Note: Please delete credit card information from the form you send to the chairman:
Beth Margulies, Director of Public Relations
National Electrical Contractors Association
By mail: 3 Bethesda Metro Center #1100, Bethesda, MD 20814
By Fax: 301-215-4500
By Email: beth.margulies@necanet.org
Your payment must be sent to the CWA office:
Sheila Wertz, Executive Director
Construction Writers Association
By mail: PO Box 5586, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-5586
By Fax: 847-590-5241
By Email: office@constructionwriters.org
2007 Website/Electronic Communications Award Entry Form
For Additional Information:
Contact the awards chairman, Beth Margulies, at 301-215-4526 or beth.margulies@necanet.org
Or contact CWA executive director Sheila Wertz at 847-398-7756 or office@constructionwriters.org.