Judging Criteria

The Award for Communication Excellence (ACE) program is designed to enhance the professional development of chamber professionals through the evaluation and recognition of their communications efforts. All complete entries are reviewed by two independent judges who have significant communications experience and who are familiar with the general missions, goals, and financial limitations of chambers of commerce and not-for-profit organizations.

Each entry is evaluated on a 100-point scale and consists of three parts: 1.) a 75-100 word summary of the entry, 2.) a 2–4 page synopsis, and 3.) the supporting material(s). Two judges evaluate each entry and a composite score is determined. ACE judges review all three entry components, so please compose and edit your synopsis and summary carefully. To see sample summaries and synopses, visit Award Winners' Case Studies.

SUMMARY

The 75-100 word summary should succinctly state the need for the communication project, the communication and marketing vehicle(s) chosen, the objectives, and results.

THE SYNOPSIS

Be sure to address each of the elements below and clearly label each in your synopsis. 

Needs Identification (10 points)

• Identify the need for the communication piece.
• Explain how the need for the communication piece is tied to the organization's goals and mission.
• Discuss the process (i.e. research, member feedback, staff expertise) used to determine the need of the communication piece was appropriate to the situation.

Objectives (10 Points)

• State the specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-sensitive (SMART) objectives for the piece. 
• Clearly identify the target audience. 
• Discuss how the objectives are relevant to both the target audience and the organization's goals.

Communication Piece (40 points)

• This element is judged mostly by viewing the piece, but you should briefly explain the production choices for the communication piece(s).
• The writing is clear and concise for the piece.
• There is a logical/planned flow to how the information is presented.
• One theme was used throughout the piece.
• Content is complete and is useful for the audience.
• Material used was appropriate for the objectives of the communication piece.
• The medium of delivery matched the need of the audience and the objective of the piece.
• Entry makes the call to action obvious and the audience clearly recognized what it is suppose to do about it.

Methodology (20 points)

• Discusses the ways the objectives were reached.
• Includes the production schedule for the piece.
• Includes the marketing schedule for the piece.
• Staff and external resource allocation is detailed.
• The detailed budget for the piece including expense, revenue, and in-kind contributions is presented.  If the piece is part of a larger project, then also include the budget for the entire project, along with a detailed budget for the piece.

Evaluation (20 points)

• Document the results of the communications piece.
• Describe what was used to determine if the project's objectives were met.
• Discuss how the entry achieved the stated objectives and met the audience needs.
• Use qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluation.  Examples include satisfaction surveys, revenue information, member quotes, or participation surveys.
• Discuss how you know the piece was a success.  The sentence, "it was well received by members", is NOT an answer.  Tell us how you know it was well received by members.