FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can any company apply for a STAR Award?
How often are the STAR Awards presented?
In which category should my company apply?
How do I apply for a STAR Award?
What is the difference between a nomination and an application?
Is there any advantage to submitting a nomination form before the deadline?
May my company submit more than one application?
What happens after a STAR Award PowerPoint application is submitted?
Who judges the STAR Awards?
Can a company win in more than one category in the same year?
How does a company enter the STAR Awards “Hall of Fame”?
How may I increase my company's chance of winning?
Is all application information that my company submits kept confidential?
How should the entry be submitted?
Can we submit supporting documents?
Is the length of my application important?
Should we include our company logo and Web address on the application?
Is the application fee refundable?
What are the important dates for the upcoming spring 2012 STAR Awards?
Download the TSIA STAR Award Information Guide to get started today
Can any company apply for a STAR award?
To be eligible to apply for an award category in a particular service discipline, your company must be a TSIA corporate member of that discipline.
How often are the STAR Awards presented?
STAR Awards are presented in the Spring and in the Fall of every year.
In which category should my company apply?
Please read the criteria for each category and select the one that best matches your situation. If you need help determining the best category for your organization, please contact Kathy Anderson, TSIA’s advanced programs project coordinator.
How do I apply for a STAR Award?
Complete and return a nomination form.
Pay the application fee.
Complete and return the PowerPoint application and Judge Exclusion form.
What is the difference between a nomination and an application?
You first nominate your company in one or more categories by completing the nomination form. Once the nomination has been accepted and the fee paid, a PowerPoint application form for the categories of your choice will be sent to you. All completed applications must be returned no later than the published deadline for that awards cycle.
Is there any advantage to submitting a nomination form before the deadline?
When you submit a STAR Awards nomination form, you will receive the PowerPoint application template for each category you have applied for. The sooner you receive the application templates, the more time you will have to complete them.
May my company submit more than one application?
You may nominate your company in multiple categories. There is a $3,300 fee for one category nomination, and a $3,000 application fee for each category nomination when applying for two or more categories.
What happens after a STAR Award PowerPoint application is submitted?
Once the application deadline has passed and all applications and Judge Exclusion forms are submitted, judges are assigned to each category. Judges score each application and provide feedback. Judges from each category then meet via conference call to discuss each application and determine finalists and a winner. Finalists (the winner is considered a finalist) and non-finalists are notified. Finalists are announced and the winner is revealed for each category at the TSW Conference Awards Luncheon Ceremony, held on the last day of the Technology Services World Conference in both the spring and fall. Application feedback reports are created and distributed a few weeks after the conference.
Who judges the STAR Awards?
The judges for the STAR Awards are a panel of your peers. TSIA Support Services, Field Services, and Professional Services Advisory Board members serve as STAR Awards judges. You can exclude 1 or 2 judges on this panel from reviewing your application by way of your applicant Judge Exclusion form. Your exclusion is strictly honored.
Can a company win in more than one category in the same year?
Yes, a single company can win in more than one category in the same year.
How does a company enter the TSIA STAR Awards “Hall of Fame”?
By winning five individual STAR Awards, in different years. The awards do not have to be received in successive years and do not have to be from the same category.
New for 2010: A company will become a two-time STAR Awards “Hall of Fame” winner by winning a 10th STAR Award, a three-time STAR Awards “Hall of Fame” winner by winning a 15th STAR Award, and so on.
How may I increase my company’s chance of winning?
Ensure that your application form is readable and succinct, and that it contains links to data to substantiate improvements and levels of customer satisfaction, i.e., metrics and valid customer satisfaction results from external sources. “Make your case” for why you think you should win.
Is all application information that my company submits kept confidential?
Yes, TSIA makes every effort to ensure your application remains confidential. Please be advised that each STAR Award judge has signed and agreed to honor a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that any information you provide during the STAR Award process remains confidential.
Note that in the event that one or more of the judges works for a company with which you compete, we will NOT knowingly send your application to them for evaluation. You also may exclude one judge who you feel may be a competitor. Applicant judge exclusion forms must be submitted along with the application and give you the opportunity to select one judge you want to exclude from receiving your award application.
How should the entry be submitted?
Please submit all entries electronically.
Can we submit supporting documents?
No. All information must be included on the PowerPoint Application. Links to your Web site and other information are welcomed and encouraged.
Is the length of my application important?
There is a maximum number of slides that will be accepted, but there is no minimum requirement. The important part is that you follow the application form template. Please be as succinct as possible, without any unnecessary or unrelated information.
Should we include our company logo and Web address on the application?
Yes, please include your company logo and Web address.
Is the application fee refundable in the event we should change our mind regarding submitting a TSIA STAR Award application?
The application fee is non-refundable once your nomination has been accepted and a PowerPoint application has been sent to you.
What are the important dates for the upcoming TSIA STAR Awards Spring 2012?
November 10, 2011: Call for nominations
January 9, 2012: Nominations closed for Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012, 11:59 pm (PT): Closing date for submitting applications:
April 16, 2012: Finalists notified during this week
May 9, 2012: Awards Luncheon at the Technology Services World (TSW) Conference, Santa Clara