Channel Daily News

2009 Channel Elite Awards is open for entries

To submit an entry to the Channel Elite Awards, please go to www.itbusiness.ca/cea and click on the tab for Online Submission Form.

This year, to optimize the strengths of the channel, CEA will reward the teams behind the great solutions in Best Enterprise Solution, Best Small Business Solution, Best Service Organization, Best Mid-Market Solution, Best Channel Marketing Initiative, Best Managed Services Solution, Best Collaborative Solution, and Best Green Solution.The top award will be Solution Provider of the Year and that will be judged on a body of work for the calendar year 2008.

Last year, Long View Systems took home the top prize at CDN’s 2008 Channel Elite AwardsSolution Provider of the Year – for its work providing a complete IT infrastructure overhaul for a client that will support its ambitious plans for expansion and growth.

The submission deadline is July 29, 2009 so don’t hesitate or wait to get your entries in.

Don Conaby, president of Conpute and a former Solution Provider of the Year winner, said in an industry that doesn’t usually see many accolades, it’s enlightening that CDN has done such a great job with the Channel Elite Awards.

“This award proves itself mindful of the need to compete for excellence, and this is just one way to let the industry share in our success,” Conaby said.

“Everyone at Conpute was excited to be nominated as finalist for the Channel Elite Award of Solution Provider of the Year. The Conpute team was thrilled when we won the award, and that initial excitement quickly changed to jubilation and celebration. We proudly toted the award everywhere we could. In our e-mail signatures, on the company Web site, in company presentations, in advertising, and even on our business cards. It would be an understatement to say that winning this award helped Conpute to win new business. As an example, we solidified our relationship with OmniGlobe to build out Broadband Internet access in the rural communities for Huron Perth and Durham Regions as a result of this award. These were large scale projects and it was proof positive that we were just the partner OmniGlobe was looking to start an ongoing partnership with. These projects were so interesting that CDN even did a case study around them,” he added. Get your submissions in now

The Paramount Conference & Event Venue located in North Toronto will once again host this year’s ceremony in September of this year. The Paramount is a brand new entertainment venue with state of the art facilities, ambiance and exquisite cuisine.

The CEA awards will be presented to the most creative and innovative solution providers in Canada during the 2008-year. Solutions must have been completed by December 31, 2008 to qualify. Solution providers can submit nominations in the following categories:
Solution Provider of the Year
Best Enterprise Solution
Best Mid-market solution
Best Small Business Solution
Best Service Organization
Best Managed Services Solution
Best Channel Marketing Initiative
Best Collaborative Solution
And, Best Green Solution.

Channel professionals, vendors and distributors can nominate the solution providers that they believe deserve recognition for a job well done. An independent panel of judges will review the nominees and select the winners in each category.

Who will win? Any IT channel organization operating in Canada, including resellers, system integrators, IT consultants and service companies. To find out more, go to www.itbusiness.ca/cea.

The CEA is not just an award ceremony, it is a whole program designed to recognize achievement in the channel. Some of the benefits are:

National coverage in ComputerWorld Canada, serving 40,000 C-level and IT executives in Canada.
National coverage in Direction Informatique (DI), serving Canada’s French language IT professionals.
National coverage in Computer Dealer News (CDN), Canada’s #1 publication for IT Solution Providers.
One year’s inclusion on the IT Business CEA micro site.
Recognition at the Channel Elite Awards (CEA’s) event September of 2009, including follow up press coverage.
Four free tickets to the event.
And, The use of the CEA “Seal of Excellence” on all promotional and advertising material.

Don’t forget that the deadline for submissions is July 29, 2009.