What do judges want to see?
Judges seek evidence of one or more of these qualities:
Perseverance – Multiple and continuing efforts to close deal despite obstacles and challenges
Creativity/ingenuity – Clever or unconventional thinking resulting in desired solution(s)
Added value – Outcomes that include such benefits as expanded company valuation, job retention or employment growth, company repositioning, community (social) benefits, or brand preservation.

For firms, judges will seek evidence that firms demonstrate the above qualities in their corporate culture and processes. For professional awards, judges look for evidence that nominee demonstrated one or more of the above-mentioned qualities on a consistent basis, and encouraged/rewarded those qualities in others, during 12 month period.

What do you mean by deals?
Mergers, acquisitions, public or private financings, restructurings, buyouts, divestitures.

Who actually selects the winners?
A panel of industry judges reviews the nominations then selects the winners by individual  vote. Judges are volunteers recruited from such fields as investment banking, private equity, management, academia, accounting and corporate law on the basis of career accomplishment and peer recognition. Judges are neither employees of nor consultants to The M&A Advisor.  Judges cannot participate if they work for a firm that has a nomination in the current competition.

Any tips on the nomination process?
Aim for objectivity; use facts rather than your own opinions or marketing hype. Be precise and accurate. Watch the word count. We recommend you write and save replies to your hard drive before copying to nomination form. Follow all instructions. Good luck!

What happens if I exceed word count?
Nomination form accepts stated maximum word count, then terminates.

If I win, what do I actually get?
At the Awards Gala held December 10 2007, at the Hudson Theater at the Millennium Broadway hotel in New York, you will receive a trophy citing the award with your name inscribed. Your colleagues/deal partners will receive commemorative certificates. You must attend the gala to receive the award.

I’d like people to know if I win. How would they find out?
The M&A Advisor prepares a news release listing all awards and the individuals and firms that won them. The release goes out the morning after the gala and is posted on M&AAdvisor.com. We will send you or your marketing staff a copy. Many individuals and firms that win recognition send out their own news releases, and post the material on their own Web sites.