World Standards Day Paper Competition Theme Announced: "Standards Connecting the World"

In conjunction with the World Standards Day (WSD) Planning Committee, the Standards Engineering Society (SES) has announced "Standards Connecting the World" as the theme for its annual paper contest. Open exclusively to U.S.-based organizations and individuals, the competition provides a means by which every entrant can help educate industry and government leaders to the importance of standards, and foster meaningful communication within the standards community.

According to SES, this year’s theme, “Standards Connecting the World,” gives practically anyone involved in standards development, management, and/or use the opportunity to make themselves heard. “Connections” might be viewed in various ways: transportation, security measures, global trade, Internet access, or goods and services that bring people in disparate locales together. This list is only meant to stimulate ideas, and does not represent a complete list of suggested topics.

Recognition and Cash Awards
The winners will receive their awards at a special ceremony during the World Standards Day Exhibits, Reception and Banquet on Tuesday, October 13, in Washington, DC. The first place winner will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque; second and third place winners will receive cash awards of $1000 and $500 respectively. In addition, winning papers will be published in the SES journal, Standards Engineering. The first place winning entry will also appear as a special feature article in the ANSI Reporter.

Judging
Papers will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges selected by SES and approved by the 2004 World Standards Day Planning Committee. The judges will have absolute discretion to decide the winner of the competition or, in the event of no papers being of sufficient merit, to withhold any award. All submissions must be received with an official entry form by midnight August 27, 2004 by the SES Executive Director, at the following address:

2004 WSD Paper Competition
13340 SW 96th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33176

Papers shall be submitted in English only, both in an electronic format (preferably in Microsoft Word on a diskette or CD-ROM) and in hard copy (two paper copies please). Failure to provide all requisite copies, electronic and in hard copy, shall lead to automatic disqualification.

Rules

• The paper must be original and not previously published.
• Papers shall be between 2500 and 4500 words only and not exceed 20 pages, including illustrations, charts, and the like. Longer or shorter papers will be disqualified. Winning papers and those selected for future publication by SES may have to be shortened at a later date.
• Graphics within the text are encouraged and can significantly add to the overall content and appeal of a paper.
• Papers should be formatted in 10 point, Times New Roman, double spaced on 8.5 by 11 paper, with a margin of 1 inch on all four sides.
• The first page shall contain only the title of the paper, the “nom de plume” or alias of the author (needed to assure impartiality), and the number of words.
• The author or co-authors should enclose with the paper a sealed envelope containing his/her/their true name(s), full address, and the title of the paper on the official entry form. The “nom de plume” must be printed clearly on the outside of the envelope.
• Only one paper may be submitted by each entrant.
• Contestants grant publication rights to the Standards Engineering Society and to any of the sponsoring organizations, as well as the right to release entries to other media.

Papers that do not follow all of these entry rules will not be forwarded to the judges and will not be eligible for any award.