…Award Categories…
{click on the category for more information}
Best New Idea or Concept
A general category that could include any fresh, never-before-seen element of a wedding (ex- Escort card display, Lighting feature, DJ soundtrack, etc). It may also include a new concept that has yet to be done at a wedding.
Who can apply: ALL Members
Judging Criteria: Innovation, Creativity, Ingenuity and Feasibility
Best Overall Theme/Thematic Follow-Through
Awarded for overall wedding event décor set-up that carries exceptional design theme/motif throughout the wedding. Must include 3 or more elements (ex – stationary, centerpieces, favors). This category must include an overall room shot along with individual detail shots.
Who can apply: Coordinators, Floral Designers, Stationary Companies, Full Service Rental Companies and Full Service Caterers
Judging Criteria: Creativity of theme/motif, Extent/Follow-Through of theme/motif, Esthetics
Best Design Transformation of Space
Awarded for overall wedding décor (not individual elements) that transforms a ceremony or reception space. This category must showcase an overall room shot before setup, as well as after setup along with individual detail shots.
Who can apply: Designers who have conceptualized and executed vision (Wedding Designers, Floral Designers, Full Service Rental Companies and Full Service Caterers
Judging Criteria: Biggest change of space look/feel, Innovation of design, Feasibility and Esthetics
Best Tablescape
Awarded for most unique tablescape that has been created/designed at a wedding.
Who can apply: Coordinators, Floral Designers, Linen and Rental Companies
Judging Criteria: Creativity, Uniqueness, Esthetics
Best New Memento
Awarded for novel keepsakes or presentation of some element of the wedding that will be used to remember the event. Entries may include, but not limited to favors, pictures, artwork, videos, floral preservation, etc…
Who can apply: ALL Members
Judging Criteria: Innovation, Creativity, Ingenuity and Timelessness
Best Captured Moment
Awarded for the best photo, series of photos, slideshow, or 60 second video clip of a fabulous captured moment. Fun, funny, romantic, touching or remarkable shot or clip taken at a wedding.
Who can apply: Photographers or Videographers
Judging Criteria: Quality of image/video, Strength of Emotion, Moment Captured
Best Introduction or Final
Awarded for unique elements that create anticipation, begin or otherwise introduce the wedding or unique final moments at a wedding. Entries may include, but are not limited to, save-the-dates, opening scenes, grand entrance, performances, grand exit, transportation, etc…
Who can apply: ALL Members
Judging Criteria: Innovation, Creativity, Ingenuity, Feasibility and Guest Reaction
Best New Food Concept, Food Presentation or Display
Awarded to creative and innovative food presentation or food concept. May include cake, dessert, entrée, specialty drink, buffets, etc…
Who can apply: Venues, Caterers, Bakers, Specialty Dessert Companies, Bar Services, and Gourmet Coffee Services
Judging Criteria: Innovation, Creativity, Ingenuity, Feasibility and Esthetics
New Member of the Year
Awarded to a new (under 1 year) ABC OC Member who has shown career development, future promise, and engagement in ABC. Submission must include 3 images of work or member in action and a 250 word essay by the nominee attached online and 1 peer 250 word recommendation submitted via email to ABCTrendsetter@hitchingpostpr.com.
Who can apply: Any new member who has joined ABC in 2012
Judging Criteria: Experience in Industry, Contribution to ABC, Enthusiasm, Ethics, Quality of Work and Peer Recommendation
Elevation of Industry
Awarded to an ABC OC Member who has raised the bar for the wedding industry. Submission must include a 250 word essay.
Who can apply: ALL Members
Judging Criteria: Experience, Contribution to wedding industry, Ability to Evolve with industry, Creation of change in industry
Members' Choice
Your best trendsetting concept or design, not described above, voted online by ABC OC members only.
Who can apply: ALL Members
Judging Criteria: Innovation, Creativity, Ingenuity, Feasibility
…How To Enter…
Pick your best ideas from Weddings you helped create from October 1, 2011 – October 1, 2012. Choose the eligible categories that you are going to enter and then fill out the online entry form.
FORM GOES LIVE APRIL 11, 2012:
…Submission Rules…
- Submissions may be made for weddings occurring between October 1, 2011 – October 1, 2012. Only actual events may be submitted for all categories except for the Best New Concept/Idea. No mock events will be allowed with the exception of Best New Concept/Idea . Events that were not wedding ceremonies, receptions or other wedding-related events may not be submitted.
- Members may submit for any eligible category for a wedding that they were directly involved in as the lead point person. Each participating vendor must be listed on the entry form (venue, caterer, floral designer, entertainment, etc…).
- Submissions will be accepted from any ABC Orange County member. NO non member will be eligible and no members of other ABC Local Networking Groups who are not regularly involved in ABC Orange County will be allowed to submit entries.
- Members may nominate/submit for their peers.
- Members may submit multiple entries per category throughout the year; however, will be required to narrow down to one entry per category by October 1, 2012.
- Members may submit the same event across categories; however, the same element cannot be submitted to multiple categories. (Ex. One can submit a bride & groom intro and a tablescape from the same wedding but to their respective categories, but one can not submit the same bride & groom intro to two different categories).
- Entries must be submitted online with the official entry form and up to five photographs. JPEG Images must by 600 pixels wide and 300 dpi/Videos must be sent as a file with no logo or company name attached.
- Videos can only be submitted for Best Captured Moment or Member’s Choice and must exemplify the video as the entry (not exemplify an element that is the entry). Videos must be sent as a file with no logo or company name attached. Videos must be less than 5 minutes.
- No submitted entry material (other than entry form) should contain identifying information. Any photograph, video or printed material that references the company or individuals involved will be disqualified for consideration.
- Deadline for entry is November 11, 2012. Entries must be received by this date. No entries will be accepted after this date.
- Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges made up of wedding industry and lifestyle experts. The entries will be judged blindly without contact or company information. One winner will be chosen in each category. ABC Orange County retains the right to eliminate a category from competition, disqualify entries or otherwise change the competition at their discretion.
- Winner will be announced at the December ABC Orange County meeting on December 11, 2012. All entrants should attend or send a representative to receive the awards.
- ABC Orange County has the right to showcase your entry at the 2012 ABC Orange County Trendsetter Awards meeting. No entries will be accepted if you deny the right for ABC Orange County to showcase your entry elements.
- By submitting the online entry form for consideration to the ABC Orange County Trendsetter Awards, entrants authorize ABC Orange County and its affiliates to publish any portion of the entry, including but not limited to, submitted images and materials. In addition, all entries become property of ABC Orange County and its affiliates and will not be returned. Photo credit will be given, if such information is submitted.
- If you have any questions about the submission process or award categories, please contact the Trendsetter Chair at ABCTrendsetter@hitchingpostpr.com.
- Winners may use the award title they receive in marketing and promotional materials.