JUDGING & AWARDS

Criteria & Judging Process

An independent panel of judges determines a Grand Prize winner and up to two Outstanding Merits in each category. One overall store entry also is awarded Store of the Year. In addition, several projects will win Visual Presentation Awards and several store fixtures will receive Store Fixture Awards, one of which will be awarded Fixture of the Year. All awards are determined at the judges’ discretion; decisions are final.

Principal criteria for judging:

• excellence in design
• originality in the use of space and materials
• quality in executing the total concept

Winners will be notified in February 2009.

Awards Presentation
Awards for the winning entries will be presented at the A.R.E. Design Awards the end of the first day of GlobalShop, the A.R.E.−sponsored trade show that takes place in Las Vegas in 2009. The awards presentation has been scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Awards Acceptance
All companies that contributed to projects receiving Grand Prizes, Store of the Year, or Fixture of the Year will be invited on stage during the awards ceremony. The designated recipient, generally the lead designer, fixture supplier, or visual merchandiser will be presented with a crystal award onstage and will have the opportunity to make a brief acceptance speech. Outstanding Merit winners and recipients of Store Fixture Awards and Visual Presentation Awards will receive audiovisual recognition during the awards presentation and will receive crystal awards immediately following the awards ceremony in the Winners Circle.

All winners receive project coverage online, in print, and in the digital display area at GlobalShop. After GlobalShop, each winning company will receive a certificate and the opportunity to purchase group photos and crystal awards in their company’s name.

Press Coverage
All winners receive project coverage online, in print, and in the digital display area at GlobalShop. After GlobalShop, each winning company will receive a certificate and the opportunity to purchase group photos and crystal awards in their company’s name. A.R.E. will provide coverage in a “Winner’s Book” produced by A.R.E., on its web site, www.retailenvironments.org, and in our magazine, Retail Environments. In addition, other industry publications such as VMSD, DDI magazine, and Chain Store Age offer coverage of award−winning projects.

Save by Purchasing Tickets in Advance
Purchase tickets through GlobalShop by Feb. 23 or through A.R.E. by March 2 and save. Tickets include a networking reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and bar and the A.R.E. Design Awards. Tickets are $75 by the cutoff date and $95 per person thereafter and onsite. Members of A.R.E. and the A.R.E. Retail Council receive a $10 discount per ticket IF they purchase them through A.R.E. at www.retailenvironments.org by March 2. There will be no refunds or adjustments after tickets have been ordered.

Note: The A.R.E. Design Awards and GlobalShop are separate events. Tickets for the the awards reception and presentation will not include entry to GlobalShop’s trade show floor; nor will a GlobalShop badge alone provide access to the reception. All guests must have tickets. All sales are final.