WaterSense Awards

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Apply for a 2010 Partner of the Year Award!

WaterSense is now accepting applications for the 2010 Partner of the Year awards, which will recognize partners’ activities performed from January through December 2009.  Applicants selected to receive awards will be recognized during the 2010 WaterSense Awards Banquet, coinciding with the 2010 WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. In its third year, WaterSmart Innovations is scheduled for October 6 – 8 at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center.

New This Year

This year all partners who submit a complete Partner of the Year award application will be automatically eligible for additional recognition from the WaterSense Program. To more broadly recognize the outstanding achievements of its many partners, special recognition will be considered based on outstanding achievements as demonstrated in applicants’ responses to each sector’s respective evaluation criteria. There will not be a separate application process for these awards, EPA will consider selections based on the Partner of the Year applications.

Jump into the awards process by familiarizing yourself with eligibility requirements, the application process and materials, tips for success, and examples from past award winners.

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2010 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an award, partners must:

• Have joined the program prior to January 1, 2010. Award decisions are based on a partner's activities in 2009.
• Submit an annual reporting form  per the partnership agreement (irrigation partners must be in good standing with their certification program(s).
• Submit a complete awards application  by Friday, April 9, 2010.
• All partners who submit a complete Partner of the Year award application package will be automatically considered for additional recognition.

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2010 Application Process and Materials

To be considered for an award, download and complete the relevant WaterSense award application, prepare and submit a written statement addressing the evaluation criteria described in the instructions, and provide supplemental or sample materials that support your written statement. Remember, all applicants must also submit an annual reporting form to be eligible for awards (except irrigation partners).

Depending on the applicant pool and applications received, WaterSense may choose to recognize more than one applicant in each award category. Additionally, each partner who submits a complete award application and written statement will be automatically considered for additional recognition. There will not be a separate application for these awards which will recognize outstanding achievements and efforts demonstrated in the applicant’s Partner of the Year award application. These notable accomplishment(s) could be found in any section of your award application, so if your program is very strong in a specific area, WaterSense wants to hear about it!

Promotional partners	Application and instructions (writeable PDF) (4 pp, 296K )	Annual reporting information
Manufacturer partners	Application and instructions (writeable PDF) (4 pp, 296K)	Annual reporting information
Retail/Distributor partners	Application and instructions (writeable PDF) (4 pp, 300K)	Annual reporting information
Irrigation partners	Application and instructions (writeable PDF) (4 pp, 296K)	n/a

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Tips for Success

There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your activities stand out from the pack. The awards are based on your 2009 activities, so remember:

• Partner of the Year Awards are based on activities that increase awareness about WaterSense and WaterSense labeled products. General education on the importance of water efficiency is valued, but your application should focus on outreach, incentives, advertising, public relations, and other activities that educate your customers, employees, or other stakeholders about WaterSense and your affiliation with the program.
• Emphasis is placed on working with other partners to promote WaterSense, such as partners who collaborate to promote a campaign or event (such as Fix a Leak Week promotions, partner recruiting campaigns, or a sales tax holiday for WaterSense labeled products). If you need help starting a collaborative effort, just let us know—WaterSense is happy to help!
• Be sure to provide measurable results in your written statement—water saved, number of people reached, rebates cashed, products sold, signs posted, newsletters distributed, etc.

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Past WaterSense Partners of the Year

Learn what recent WaterSense Partners of the Year winners have done to increase water efficiency and promote the WaterSense label within their respective partner categories.

• 2009
• 2008

Visit the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) for an online photo gallery showcasing the 2009 WaterSense Awards Banquet.

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About the Awards Program

Launched in 2008, the WaterSense Partners of the Year awards program recognizes WaterSense partners who:

• Help advance the overall mission of WaterSense
• Increase awareness of the WaterSense brand in a measurable way
• Demonstrate overall excellence in the water-efficiency arena

Partners of the Year contribute to the program’s success by enhancing the market for water-efficient products, practices, and services. Manufacturer partners design and produce innovative WaterSense labeled products that reduce water use by at least 20 percent; retailers and distributors help bring these products to consumers; promotional partners educate the public at large and can provide consumers with incentives; and landscape irrigation professionals design, maintain, and audit outdoor irrigation systems. Dedicated partners in each sector are critical to the program’s success and the WaterSense Partner of the Year awards program acknowledges the "best of the best."

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