WHAT IS A CODiE? (and how do I get one?) For Education Companies

Presented by: Karen Billings, SIIA, VP, Education Division Lisa Mitchell-Brooks, SIIA, Award Program Manager Eileen Bramlet, SIIA, VP Communications Tammy Detrich McGraw-Hill Higher Education/Learning Solutions, 2008 CODiE Award Winner Kenni Driver Driver Public Relations, 2008 CODiE Award Judge

What we’ll be covering:  What is a CODiE?  New This Year  How Do I Get One?  Nomination Do’s and Don’ts  Judging Process  Q & A

What is a CODiE? The CODiE Awards, originally called the Excellence in Software Awards, were established in 1986 by the Software Publishers Association (SPA), now the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), so that pioneers of the then-nascent software industry could evaluate and honor each other’s work. Since then, the CODiE Awards program has carried out the same purpose – to showcase the software and information industry’s finest products and services and to honor excellence in corporate achievement and philanthropic efforts.

CEO Profiles SIIA will be featuring profiles highlighting the CEOs of companies nominating in the 2009 CODiE Awards process. These profiles will be available on the CODiE website for the duration of the awards cycle, as well as on SIIA’s main site. First Round Judge Bios To give CODiE nominees a chance to get to know our illustrious First Round Judges, SIIA will be featuring Judge Biographies highlighting their experience within their chosen industries. Lifetime Achievement Nominations New for 2009, SIIA’s divisions will be awarding three individual Lifetime Achievement awards. As each award has its own requirements, more info can be found on the CODiE site. There is no charge for nominating for a Lifetime Achievement Award. New This Year...

Tammy Detrich Senior Marketing Manager, McGraw-Hill Higher Education/Learning Solutions Two time CODiE Winner 2008

How Do I Get A CODiE? 1.Nomination 2.Judging 3.Voting 4.Gala

To Nominate… Go to and view all 80 award categories. To see just the Education Market categories, click on the sub-category name at the top of the page.

Choosing the Right Category Read the descriptions of the categories carefully and decide where your product best fits. Review the criteria of the categories; know what the Judges will be scoring. It’s better not to try to ‘cram’ the product in to a category where it is a marginal fit.

How Categories Are Developed Education Division and CODiE staff review existing categories & nominations received the previous year. Education Division Board members suggest new categories and revisions to old ones. New Categories for 2009: Best Educational Use of a Technology Device Best Virtual School Solution for Students

Complete the Nomination Form Once you’ve decided which categories to enter, you can conveniently submit your nomination online by going to and completely filling out the required information.

In Addition to Product Awards… SIIA’s Corporate Award Categories offer the opportunity to receive recognition for your company. For Education companies, we have the Education Newcomer of the Year award. Your company must have begun business after January 1, 2006 to qualify for this category. The Corporate Achievement Award category awards a business or corporation that enhances the overall development of the software and information industry. Nominated companies must show a solid commitment to supporting the growth of the industry as a whole. All companies, regardless of how long they have been in business, are eligible to nominate in this category. Applications for all Corporate categories are due to SIIA by December 22, 2008.

Nomination Cost SIIA Members & Non-profit Organizations 1 category per product: $295 2 categories per product (10% discount): $531 3 categories per product (20% discount): $708 Nonmembers 1 category per product: $695 2 categories per product (10% discount): $ categories per product (20% discount): $1668 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.

Payment Notes Prepayment is required for all nominations. Under special circumstances, SIIA can issue an invoice for payment by check (contact Lisa Mitchell-Brooks for more info). All payments are due to SIIA by NOVEMBER 3, 2008.

Not an SIIA Member??? To learn more about the benefits of SIIA membership, including a discount on your CODiE nomination, please contact our VP of Membership, Eric Fredell at or by at

Each product can be nominated in up to three categories. All products must launch or ship on or before October 1, 2008 to be eligible for the 2009 CODiE Awards. SIIA reserves the right to cancel any CODiE Awards category with fewer than 10 nominations. If a category is cancelled, nominees in that category will have the option to move to another category or to receive a full refund. Product Nomination Guidelines

Nomination Do’s & Don’ts DO keep your nomination confirmation . You can use it to go back into your nomination info. DON'T send just press kits to judges! DO contact your judges promptly to schedule demos - - if your product can only be viewed by a demo. Keep your demo short and to the point. DO request a copy of the judges’ feedback on your products after judging is completed in February. DO contact SIIA with any questions or concerns.

Nominations close Friday October 17th, 2008

As a Nominee… You will receive an with complete instructions on timelines, judge information & category criteria once judges are assigned, about November 19, We will send you a newsletter on the current status of the judging process, and other relevant information every two weeks until the Finalists are announced.

Judging Process First Round Review November February 2009 Prospective first round judges submit an application online and are reviewed for relevant experience by SIIA staff. The rankings of nominees by these judges determine the 2009 CODiE Awards Finalists. Nominees must forward a copy of the product & any necessary access codes to your assigned judges and to Lisa Mitchell-Brooks by December 19, 2008.

Kenni Driver Chief Executive Officer, Driver Public Relations Kenni is a former award-winning public school teacher with 22 years of experience.

How Judges Are Chosen Prospective first round judges submit an application online and are reviewed for relevant experience by SIIA staff. The rankings of nominees by these judges determine the 2009 CODiE Awards Finalists.

Submitting Your Product to the Judges These are the preferred methods of submitting for review: Full copy of nominated product (preferred for appropriate products) Website URL and login information for online- only products Self-running CD Demo Self-running online demo access

Product Submission Notes Beta versions of software will not be accepted. Gold masters are accepted, but not recommended. Judges are not required to sign non- disclosure agreements.

Finalists are Announced February 16, 2009

Second Round Voting March 16 - April 17, 2009 SIIA members will review CODiE Award finalists in each category and select their choices online. Member companies are allowed one vote per company in each CODiE Award category. Second Round Voting Process Unlike the first round, the second round of the CODiE Awards is not an intensive product review. Instead, it involves a peer- voting phase. It is recommended that you provide an online demo or product access to allow SIIA members to become familiar with your product. This option will be available through the Finalist Review Program.

Finalist Review Program Finalist Review Program Your opportunity to promote your product to SIIA Members! The CODiE Finalist Review program provides a great opportunity to enhance your product in the CODiE Finalist website presentation through links, logos and longer product descriptions. In first ever issue of CODiE magazine, this year’s Finalists products will be promoted to SIIA members to aid them when casting their votes in the second round of judging. Finalists can also purchase ad space to give their products greater visibility. More information on the Finalist Review Program will be available to CODiE Finalists in February 2009.

Winners are announced! May 5, 2009 CODiE Awards Gala & Receptions The Gala will be held on May 5, 2009 at the Palace Hotel, in beautiful San Francisco, CA. The black-tie optional Gala includes a reception, dinner & awards presentation ceremony and the Afterglow Party featuring live music. Although the event is optional, this is a great opportunity to join CODiE Awards Finalists, industry executives and members of the press for an evening dedicated to recognizing the stars of the content, education technology and software industries!

CODiE Gala & Receptions Tickets Each full registration for the SIIA Ed Tech Industry Summit includes one ticket to the CODiE Awards Gala. Additional tickets or tickets for the Gala only are $200 per person. A reserved table for 10 may be purchased for $1800. Tickets will be available online at

Questions?