GENERAL
What is SIIA?
The Software & Information Industry Association is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to the leading companies that are setting the pace for the digital age. SIIA's principal mission is to:
- Promote the Industry: SIIA promotes the common interests of the software and digital content industry as a whole, as well as its component parts.
- Protect the Industry: SIIA protects the intellectual property of member companies, and advocates a legal and regulatory environment that benefits the entire industry.
- Inform the Industry: SIIA informs the industry and the broader public by serving as a resource on trends, technologies, policies and related issues that affect member firms and demonstrate the contribution of the industry to the broader economy.
What are the Codie Awards?
The Codie Awards holds the distinction of being the only peer-recognition awards program of its kind in the industry, providing a unique opportunity for companies to earn the praise of their competitors. The Codie Awards program, now in its twentieth year, remains the standard-bearer for celebrating outstanding achievement and vision in our industry.
NOMINATIONS
How do I enter a product?
- Product Nomination
To nominate a product for the Codie Awards, simply fill out the form on this website. You can nominate online, or you can download the PDF and fax it to Cristina Stensvaag at +1.202.289.7097.
- Corporate Nomination
To nominate for one of the Corporate Awards, please download the appropriate PDF and fax it to Cristina Stensvaag at +1.202.289.7097.
How much does it cost to enter?
- SIIA Members & Non-profit Organizations
1 category per product: $250
2 categories per product (10% discount): $450
3 categories per product (20% discount): $600
- Nonmembers
1 category per product: $450
2 categories per product (10% discount): $810
3 categories per product (20% discount): $1080
Please Note: Discounted pricing applies only to the same product nominated in more than one category. Each product nominated must have a separate nomination form.
What if I have questions on completing the form?
Contact Cristina Stensvaag at cstensvaag@siia.net.
What do I do after I send in my nomination form?
Once the nomination period is over (October 15, 2004), you will receive a list of the judges assigned to your category(s). You will need to send your product directly to the judges for review.
My company's product is in beta testing. Is it eligible?
Products must launch by October 25, 2004 in order to be eligible for the 2005 Codie Awards.
Does my product need to be new this year to be eligible?
No. As long as your product launched before October 25, 2004, it is eligible for the 2005 Codie Awards.
If my product was a nominee/finalist/winner last year, is it eligible?
Yes.
How will I know if SIIA received my nomination?
You will receive confirmation of your entry immediately after you submit it online. This will also serve as your invoice, so be sure to print it out.
On October 20, 2004 you will receive a list of the judges assigned to your category(s). If you do not receive a list of judges on this date, please contact Cristina Stensvaag at cstensvaag@siia.net.
What do I send to the judges?
Before October 29, please send at least ONE of the following to all of the judges in your category, as well as to SIIA:
- Copy of Nominated Product (preferred)
- Website URL and login information
- Self-running CD Demo
- Self-running Online Demo Instructions
I would like to offer a guided demo to the judges in my category. Is this allowed?
Yes. Please read the Information on Guided Demos.
I want to send a non-disclosure agreement with my product. Is this allowed?
Judges are not required to sign non-disclosure agreements.
I need an invoice, who do I contact?
Please contact Cristina Stensvaag at cstensvaag@siia.net.
JUDGING
How does judging work?
In the first round of the Codie Awards, SIIA assigns multiple judges to each category. Each judge reviews the nominated products and submits his/her top 5 choices, ranked. The lists are compiled and weighted and finalists are named.
In order to ensure a review of every product, categories with more than 20 nominations are divided among judges, so that each judge reviews no more than 20 products and all products are reviewed by at least 2 judges. The top products from this initial review are compiled and re-submitted to all judges in a category for a final review. From this review, finalists are named.
In the second round, finalists are submitted to SIIA Member companies for voting.
Codie Awards Winners are determined from a combination of first round judges' rankings and SIIA Member votes. First round judges' rankings will be weighted at 30% and SIIA Member votes will be weighted at 70%.
How does SIIA determine the judges for the Codie Awards?
First round Codie Awards Judges are made up of representatives from the software and information industry trade press, mainstream technology writers, analysts, consultants and subject-matter experts. Judges must submit an application, which is reviewed for relevant experience.
Second round Judges are made up of SIIA Member companies, making the Codie Awards the only peer-reviewed awards program of its kind.
What is the timeline for judging?
First round judging takes place in November-December, 2004. Finalists will be announced in early January, 2005. SIIA Member voting takes place in April, 2005. Winners will be announced at the Codie Awards Gala in May, 2005.
Why does judging take so long?
Judges review every product submitted to the Codie Awards in order to name finalists. In the cases of large categories, a second review is completed. Finalists are then submitted to SIIA Member companies for voting.
Will I receive judge feedback on my nominated product?
SIIA strongly encourages judges to provide comments on the products they review. We feel that this is one of the major factors that set the Codie Awards apart from other programs. But, we cannot guarantee that judges will comment on every product.
It is our goal for each nominee to understand the judges' thought process as well as to provide constructive comments to help companies know how to improve their products for the future.
We recognize that feedback from judges is an important benefit of entering a product.
For 2005, we have implemented a new review form that makes it easy for judges to submit comments back to us.
After the finalists have been announced (in January, 2005), nominees may request judge feedback by contacting Cristina Stensvaag at cstensvaag@siia.net.
The Codie Awards logo, re-designed in 2004, brings together the word "CODE" and the symbol for information ("i"), to visually emphasize the Codie Awards' focus on the software and digital content industries.
