ENTRY RULES
Who should enter - The competition is open to any speechwriter from the public or private sector interested in winning recognition for their work. This includes, but not limited to:
- Speechwriters for CEOs, presidents, vice presidents and other corporate executives
- Speechwriters for association executives, such as the American Bar Association or the American Medical Association
- Speechwriters in the public sector who write for federal, state, or local government officials
- Speakers who write speeches for themselves, such as educators or politicians
Eligibility - The awards program is open to all speechwriters; however, writers employed or contracted by McMurry, Inc. will not be eligible. To be considered for a Cicero Speechwriting Award, an entry must have been presented at a qualifying venue at a scheduled event between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007. A qualifying venue or event includes recognized speaking venues, civic organizations, commencements, conferences, or any other preplanned or prescheduled engagement. This does not include classroom or impromptu office presentations and speeches. All entries must be the actual text of a speech as given, not as prepared. No white papers or editorials will be accepted.
Speech Nominator - A speech can be nominated by the speechwriter or anyone on his/her behalf. The person submitting the entry will be our permanent contact throughout the course of the awards program, and will receive all correspondence, including receipt of entry and winning entry acknowledgements.
Choosing categories - Entrants may nominate their speech in one or multiple categories. There is a fee for each category entered. Judges reserve the right to change an entry to fit the appropriate category.
Entry fees and deadline - Entrants pay $250 for each speech entry. Entries must be postmarked by October 19, 2007. Shipping by UPS, FedEx and other parcel services must also carry the same date. E-mail, fax, or online submissions must be submitted by the same date. There is an additional late fee of $10 per entry. All late entries must be postmarked by October 26, 2007. You may send one payment for multiple entries. Please include credit card information on only one entry form. Payment must accompany entries and be made in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Send the fee, entry form, and entry submission(s) via mail to Cicero Speechwriting Awards, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Submissions may also be submitted via fax to 602-395-5853, e-mail to jenny.babich@cicerospeechwritingawards.com, or online at www.cicerospeechwritingawards.com.
Return of materials - All speeches submitted to the awards program become the property of the Cicero Speechwriting Awards and may be used for promotional purposes. Entries will not be returned. Do not send irreplaceable materials.
Shipping - Mailing/shipping/faxing costs and handling fees are at the entrant's expense. Send entry materials along with entry forms and fees. For foreign entries we suggest you send your material either by airmail or a courier service that will deliver directly to our offices. To expedite your package through customs, please affix or mark in bold lettering on the outside of the package "Contest Material. No Commercial Value."
Awards notification - Winners will be notified by mail and/or e-mail the week of December 17, 2007. Should your entry place as an award winner, your award certificate will be personalized this way: Speechwriter Name, Speech Title, Speaker's Name, Date of Address, Location of Address, and Category Name.
Web site awards entry – Visit http://www.cicerospeechwritingawards.com/entry_form.asp to submit your entries online.
Questions? – Contact Jenny Babich by phone at 1-888-626-8779 or send an e-mail to jenny.babich@cicerospeechwritingawards.com.
