Rules, Entry and Judging Process

Nominations, together with supporting material or samples, should be submitted by 16 December 2011 to The Tile Association by post or email to the address at the end of this document. The award judges will be made up of a panel consisting of at least the TTA Chairman, TTA Executive Officer and TTA Marketing Committee Chairman.

Any sponsor associated with a nomination with which they are connected, will withdraw from the judging process on the relevant award.

The judging panel will draw up a short list of a maximum of 4 per category based on the entry material supplied. All nominees or nominations will be advised if they have reached the short-list.

The short-listed nominations will be announced in early March 2012. The winners will be announced at the TTA Awards Dinner on 21 April 2012.

Rules

The principal aim of the TTA Awards is to recognise excellence in each category.

Each entry must include one copy of a completed official entry form together with a written submission and supporting material. The written submission must be a maximum 1000 words in Microsoft Word format on CD or by email. At the same time a summary of the submission should be submitted. The summary should be a maximum of 100 words and this will be used by TTA in all press releases, statements and script.

Photographs should be included with the submission, with at least one photograph at a minimum 300dpi being submitted as a separate file by email or on CD in jpeg format and not embedded into the nomination submission. This photograph which will be used by the Tile Association to symbolise your nomination; this will be used in press releases, marketing material and the audio visual presentation on 21 April 2012. Digital photographs must be compatible with a PC.

By submitting photographs it will be assumed that permission has been given to use them in all accompanying PR and marketing of The Tile Association Awards 2012 by The Tile Association.

Nominators may enter any number of categories, but each entry must be on a separate application form.

All projects entered for the 2012 Awards must have been completed in the calendar year 2011 and have been undertaken in United Kingdom or Eire. There should be one entry only per project.

All products entered for the 2012 Awards must have been launched onto the UK and Eire market in the calendar year 2011. Marks will be lost if samples are not submitted with the entry.

A written submission could include words explaining why the nominator thinks the nomination is best in category and why they believe the entry should win.

Supporting material will vary depending on each award, but could include samples, photographs of projects, people or businesses. It is for the nominator to decide what aspect of the nomination is truly outstanding and will best impress the judges.

It is a condition of entry that material submitted may be reproduced by The Tile Association in such media that The Tile Association feels is appropriate to promote the Awards.

Any nominations considered to be incorrectly categorised may be re-allocated to a different category

The judges have the right to reject any entry which they feel does not comply with the requirements of the Awards.

The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Additional Guidance on Awards

The following information is intended to help on the requirements for each award.

Outstanding contribution to the tile industry

This award recognises an extraordinary contribution to the wall and floor tile industry as a whole over a period of time. This may be over a working life or a shorter period of time. A portfolio of information about the person's history or particular projects they have been involved in together with photographs, are examples of the information that will assist the judges. At least one photograph of the nominee in digital format is required.

Tile fixer of the year

This award recognises individual wall and floor tile fixers. The nomination should include a portfolio of the nominee's work, together with details of their history in the industry, qualifications if held, and any other information that will assist the judges. At least one photograph of the nominee in digital format is required.

Employee of the year

This award recognises an employee of a business operating in the wall and floor tile sector. He or she will have made a special contribution to the success of the business. The nomination should include full information about the nominee, together with details of their history in the industry, qualifications if held, and any other information that will assist the judges. At least one photograph of the nominee in digital format is required.

Trainee of the year

This award recognises new entrants to the wall and floor tile industry. The nomination should include a portfolio of the nominee's work, together with details of their history in the industry, details of training and qualifications if held, and any other information that will assist the judges. At least one photograph of the nominee in digital format is required.

Best use of tile in a public sector contract

The project should have been completed in the calendar year 2011 in the public sector. The public sector is defined as being part of national economy providing basic goods or services that are either not, or cannot be, provided by the private sector. It comprises of national and local governments, public corporations, and quasi-autonomous non-government organisations. (Quangos) Photographs of the finished product, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Best use of tile in a private sector contract

The project should have been completed in the calendar year 2011 in the private sector. The private sector is defined as being part of the UK or Irish national economy made up of resources owned by private enterprises. Photographs of the finished product, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Best use of tile by a house developer

The project, which should have been completed in the calendar year 2011, will be a multi dwelling property such as an apartment building, housing complex or housing estate. Photographs, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category and it is important to include photos of all areas of the home, not just the bathrooms or kitchens.

Most innovative tile installation

This award, which should have been completed in the calendar year 2011, applauds innovation in the design or use of a tile in a tiling project of any size. This award will be judged particularly on the design aspect of the project. Photographs of the finished product, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Best technical use of tile in a contract

This award, which should have been completed in the calendar year 2011, recognises that some projects have to focus on technical issues either because of technical difficulties in carrying out the project or intended use of the project when completed. Photographs of the finished product, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Best use of tile in the leisure or hospitality industry

This award, which should have been completed in the calendar year 2011, focuses on the leisure and hospitality industry. This may include swimming pools, sports facilities, hotels, pubs, clubs or leisure complex amongst others. Photographs of the finished product, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Best use of tile in a private house

This award, which should have been completed in the calendar year 2011, recognises the use of tile in a private house, either new or refurbished. An emphasis of design, choice and use of tile in a number of rooms within the dwelling could form part of the submission. Photographs of the finished product, specification, design and information on the tiling process may be included in the submission to assist the judges. A reasonable amount of photographic evidence is vital in this category and it is important to include photos of all areas of the home, not just the bathroom or kitchen.

Best environmental initiative

This award recognises the importance of sustainability and care for the environment. The award is open to any business in the wall and floor tile industry whose principal place of business is in the UK or Eire, who can demonstrate such an activity or process. As sustainability is such an important issue, this award is not date related. A written submission together with photographic evidence will assist the judges.

Excellence in marketing

This award recognises the marketing activity of a tile industry business, who has promoted their products, website and/or services to customers either in the consumer, contract or tile industry. Details of the campaign, target audience, strategy, copy articles, advertisements could be submitted to assist the judges. Photographic evidence or samples of artwork is vital in this category.

Wall tile of the year

This award recognises a manufactured wall tile that has been launched onto the UK market in the calendar year 2011. Sample tiles from the range, together with technical data sheets, details of retail prices, brochures, photographs of room sets are examples of supporting material that will assist the judges. Entries submitted without sample tiles will lose marks in the judging process.

Floor tile of the year

This award recognises a manufactured floor tile that has been launched onto the UK market in the calendar year 2011. Sample tiles from the range, together with technical data sheets, details of retail prices, brochures, photographs of room sets are examples of supporting material that will assist the judges. Entries submitted without sample will lose marks in the judging process.

Best natural product

This award recognises a quarried or natural wall or floor tile that has been launched onto the UK market in the calendar year 2011. Sample tiles from the range together with technical data sheets, details of retail prices, and photographs of room sets are examples of supporting material that will assist the judges. Entries submitted without sample tiles will lose marks in the judging process.

Best innovation

The winner of the Best Innovation award will be a product or service that can "make a difference" to the tile industry. It may be a new device, system, adhesive or grout - the possibilities are endless! The product or service will have been launched onto the UK market in the year to 31 December 2011. Samples from the range, together with technical data sheets, retail prices, brochures, photographs of room sets, product or packaging are examples of supporting material that will assist the judges.

Excellence in independent retailing

This category is open to any business operating as a retailer with up to 3 retail outlets based in the United Kingdom or Eire. Photographs of the premises, both inside and out, plus a written submission will assist the judges. Photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Excellence in multiple retailing

This category is open to any business operating four or more retail units based in the United Kingdom or Eire. Photographs of at least two of the premises, both inside and out, details of other awards the business may have won (i.e. not TTA plus a written submission will assist the judges. Photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Excellence in tile distribution

This category is open to any business operating as a tile distributor, either with a single or multiple units based in the United Kingdom or Eire. Photographs of the premises, both inside and out, details of other awards the business may have won (i.e. not TTA plus a written submission will assist the judges. Photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Excellence in tile contracting

This category is open to any business operating as a tiling contractor employing more than one tile fixer based in the United Kingdom or Eire. Photographs of the premises, projects, details of other awards the business may have won (i.e. not TTA), together with a written submission will assist the judges. Photographic evidence is vital in this category.

Excellence manufacturing

This category is open to any business operating as a manufacturer of tiles, adhesives & grouts, or tile related products, either with a single or multiple units based in the United Kingdom or Eire. Photographs of the premises, both inside and out, details of other awards the business may have won (i.e. not TTA plus a written submission will assist the judges. Photographic evidence is vital in this category.