ENTER THE 2018 SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION

SAMMY AWARDS!

For more than 20 years SSI’s annual SAMMY Awards program has served as the benchmark for security industry excellence in sales & marketing, business operations, and project design, management and installation among dealers and integrators.
 

Here’s a personal message from SSI Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher Scott Goldfine:

It’s been said that recognition is the most powerful of motivators. People crave praise and the feeling of being appreciated. Studies have stunned business owners and managers by showing that workers value positive feedback above and beyond anything else, including money.

For that reason and many others, back in the mid-1990s, Security Sales & Integration launched the Sales & Marketing (SAMMY) Awards. The program — which recognizes and honors electronic security dealers/integrators that demonstrate exceptional expertise in their sales & marketing materials, business practices, and installations — has gained momentum each and every year.

The tradition continues Tuesday, April 10, 2018, when the 23rd edition of the SAMMY Awards gala once again unfolds in Las Vegas as a prelude to ISC West. Also featuring the official SSI Industry Hall of Fame inductions and presenting of the 2018 Most Valuable Product (MVP) Awards, the early evening affair has become a focal point for leading security professionals to gather to honor and network with their colleagues. It’s a vital event, productive, a load of fun and free to attend with all industry professionals welcome.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; you’ve got plenty of time to make Vegas arrangements. Right now, the top priority is getting together the appropriate materials and submitting SAMMY entry forms. It’s FREE to participate, but the  January 19, 2018 deadline will be here before you know it. Everything you need can be found HERE.

This year’s “Best” categories are:

• Installer of the Year (Large and Small to Midsize Companies)

• Integrated Installation of the Year

• Overall Integrated Marketing Campaign

• Community Outreach Program

• Social Media Campaign

• Newsletter or Content Marketing (NEW!)

• Display Advertisement

• Promotional Video or Audio (NEW!)

• Promotional Giveaway

• Sales Brochure

• Vehicle Graphics Design

• Web Site Design

Winning a SAMMY is not only outstanding for company morale, it is also a fantastic sales and marketing tool in its own right. Of course, just being named as a finalist is nearly as sweet. A majestic SAMMY trophy prominently exhibited in an office serves as a powerful testimonial to potential customers of that company’s commitment to quality. And the prime exposure in SSI’s June and July (Installers and Installations of Year) issues can be shown to prospects.

Here are eight quick tips for SAMMYs success:

Are you qualified? — The SAMMYs are open to installing security companies, not manufacturers, distributors, wholesale central stations, etc. (but such suppliers can be sponsors).

Don’t let deadline kill your chances — Procrastination is the enemy; get started on your entries today.

Canvas all the categories — There’s a lot to pick from; you can enter all, but only one entry per category.

Appeal to the judges — Review the applicable criteria as you put together your entry to ensure it addresses those factors.

Mind the rules — Check the fine print to ensure you send in what the category calls for.

Be user-friendly — Make sure it is easy for judges to access and evaluate your submission; and each mailed entry requires its own packaging.

Go for ‘The Big One’ — If submitting more than a couple of categories, why not also enter Overall Integrated Marketing Program?

Good form — Fill out entry forms completely, pay special attention to the reasons your entry should win that particular award. If submitted through the mail, neatness counts so seriously consider typing your entry; securely attach separate entry forms for each category. Make sure media files are easily reviewed.
 

See you in Vegas. Good luck!

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Entries must be received by  January 19, 2018. All entries become the property of Security Sales & Integration magazine and cannot be returned.