Wisconsin Department of Commerce: Governor's Export Achievement Awards -

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Export Assistance

Commerce Resources

Governor's Export Achievement Awards

Each year, the Governor salutes Wisconsin firms and organizations that have achieved extraordinary results in international markets or have contributed to Wisconsin’s ability to compete globally. Nominations for the 2010 awards can be submitted between now and Friday, April 16. This year's awards will be presented on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at the 46th annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference in Milwaukee.

The last year was a difficult one for many Wisconsin companies, but export sales were one bright spot for many. Truly globally-engaged firms and organizations know that they must take a long-term approach and not be discouraged by temporary downturns. The Export Achievement Awards are intended to highlight those firms that have achieved significant growth or implemented innovative strategies and can serve as examples to other state firms.

Any agricultural, forestry, industrial, high technology or service enterprise successfully engaging in or assisting in the export of Wisconsin-origin products or services can be nominated. Nominations will be evaluated for innovation, effectiveness, and special effort in growing exports, and enhancing employment, the economy, and the international prestige of Wisconsin. Nominations can be made by an employee of the firm or organization, or by an outside person familiar with the firm or organization. Self nominations are encouraged.

AWARDS CATEGORIES:

Agricultural Exporter - food, farm, or forestry products
Manufacturing Exporter - non-agricultural manufactured products
Service Exporter - services provided to customers in other countries
High Tech Exporter - scientific, medical, or other cutting edge products
Export Assistance Provider - firms or organizations that do not have direct international sales, but provide assistance to Wisconsin exporters

CRITERIA:
Nominees must show innovation, effectiveness, and special effort in growing exports, enhancing employment, the economy, and Wisconsin’s international prestige. Nominees will be evaluated against organizations or firms of similar size. Export Plus categories may be created for nominees which have won previously or have engaged in substantially superior efforts. Judges may present Special Awards for those whose efforts deserve additional recognition. The judge's decisions are final and they reserve the right to withhold the presentation of an award in a category if there is not a suitable entry.

RESTRICTIONS:
Persons, firms or agencies must be a Wisconsin operation; and must not be involved in litigation with state or federal agencies or of a character which might bring discredit to the state, the award, or to the recipient.

SUBMISSION:
The Nomination/Application submission must include the following five sections. Sections 2-5 should be no more than two pages in length each. Winners are chosen based upon the details provided in the Nomination/Application.

1) Cover Page with:

Name of the nominated company or organization as it should appear on the award, if selected;
Street address;
City, state, zip;
Name of the nominee’s President or Chief Executive Officer;
Name of the firm’s international sales executive, if different;
Telephone and FAX number and e-mail address of the primary international contact;
Website;
Award category from one of the following:

a) Agricultural,
b) Manufacturing,
c) High-Tech,
d) Service Exporter or
e) Export Assistance Provider;

Number of employees in Wisconsin and number worldwide;
Name and headquarters location of parent firm or organization, if any;
Name and title of the person making the nomination;
Relationship to nominated company or organization; and
Telephone/FAX numbers and e-mail address of the person making the nomination.

2) Nominee Profile describing the nominee, its products/services, and its customers as well as why it deserves to be recognized with an Export Achievement Award (two page maximum)

3) International Activities describing the actions taken or strategies pursued by the nominee to increase international business over the last three years (two page maximum)

4) Export Growth or Continuing Commitment achieved over the last three years, such as increased export sales increased number of export destinations, increased market share in existing international markets, or increased employment in Wisconsin to meet international demand. In this recent period of trade contraction, efforts to keep existing markets can also be cited. (two page maximum)

5) Significant Contributions made by the nominee that have promoted the importance of international business to other Wisconsin companies or individuals, such as involvement of supply chain, participation in trade associations, mentoring of other Wisconsin businesses, supporting international education, etc. (two page maximum)

The Nomination/Application submission should be no more than nine pages, however appendices containing samples of promotional literature, press reports, or other supporting material can be included.

Nominations/Applications must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 16, 2010. Submissions can be sent by courier, mail, fax, or e-mail to:

Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Bureau of Export Development
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703

TEL: (608) 267-0639
FAX: (608) 266-5551
international@wisconsin.gov

Follow the links to view past Export Achievement Award winners by year or by category.