SABEW staff report

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FAQs about the Best in Business contest for entries from calendar year 2011

Download the new BIB rules for calendar year 2011

PHOENIX, Nov. 4, 2011 — On Dec. 1, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers’ 17th annual Best in Business Awards Competition will open more than a month earlier than it did last year.

The earlier entry period gives SABEW members — the only journalists eligible for the contest — time to get their entries out of the way before the traditional contest “season” begins in January. As a bonus, early birds get a discounted rate.

The final deadline for submissions to this year’s Best in Business with 8 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. If that sounds earlier than usual, that’s because it is.

SABEW set this date to ensure the contest is finished in time for awards ceremonies at next year’s 49th annual spring conference in Indianapolis, March 15-17. Unlike in past years, there will be no extensions.

SABEW memberships must be paid and current at the time entries are filed. If you’d like to inquire about your membership status, write to SABEW membership coordinator Mark Scarp, scarp@sabew.org.

The competition continues to recognize recent developments in the coverage of business news while retaining the core elements of the largest creative competition in business journalism. As introduced in last year’s contest, entrants this year will continue to be able to enter in:

• A division for international publications and correspondents.

• A division for radio/broadcast TV/cable media outlets.

• An expanded division for digital media outlets.

• Two open categories to recognize the work of real estate and personal finance journalists and columnists across the country.

Those who enter individual contests between Dec. 1 and Jan. 5 are rewarded with an early entry fee of $55, $5 less than the regular rate. Entries received after that date and until Jan. 24 will be $60 each.

For general excellence categories, each entry is $125 if received before Jan. 5 and $135 after that.

Content from calendar year 2011 is eligible. All entries must be submitted online in pdf or permalink format. Entrants to the competition must be members of SABEW. Entries must be made as PDF files or permalinks (for websites).

More information on the contest, including the complete rules and answers to frequently asked questions, will be posted on this site on or before Thursday, Nov. 14.

SABEW, with more than 3,400 members, is the world’s largest membership organization of business and economic journalists.  The organization is dedicated to excellence in business journalism.

The BIB competition was developed in 1995 to honor the best of business journalism published, broadcast and posted in a calendar year.

Questions? Send an e-mail message to bib@sabew.org. For general contest information, contact SABEW executive director Warren Watson, watson@sabew.org. If you would like more information about SABEW membership, contact membership coordinator Mark Scarp, scarp@sabew.org.

For a .pdf containing the complete list of 2010 contest-year winners and judges’ comments, click here.

• List of 2010 contest winners
• List of 2009 contest winners