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2012 Winners

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the night

Frequently Asked Questions

What are The Card & Payments Awards and what do they aim to achieve?

The Card & Payments Awards uniquely offer organisations – credit, debit, prepaid and charge card issuers, their co-branded, affinity or retail card partners, merchant acquirers and payment providers – the opportunity to showcase their latest initiatives and programmes to the industry and where an award is won, in certain categories, to use it as a differentiator in their customer communications. The awards will recognise and highlight the contribution, development and success of those entries demonstrating best practice, innovation, service and responsibility to customers.

Who can enter?

The awards are open in selected categories to credit, debit, prepaid and charge card issuers, and also their retail, affinity and other brand partners and to merchant acquirers in the UK and Republic of Ireland. All entrants must have been trading in the UK for at least 12 months prior to the entry deadline. Please read the full eligibility and entry criteria in the Call for Entries brochure.

When should the project have been launched?

Entries should refer to work launched in the UK card market between 1 October 2010 and 30 September 2011 for ‘of the year’ categories. The other categories require entries to refer to significant results achieved from existing or new initiatives, programmes, products or services during the same period. Refer to the category descriptions for specific details for each category.

How do I enter?

You will need to read all of the information in the Call for Entries brochure before writing a detailed yet concise submission, using the entry format guidelines outlined in the brochure. The 1000 word submission should fit on no more than two pages of single-sided A4 paper. The 250-word summary is as important as the main submission, as it provides judges with a quick snapshot of your entry and will encourage them to read the 1000 word entry in more detail.

What kind of supporting material should we include?

Additional material will demonstrate and illustrate how your initiative, campaign or programme worked. Material may include leaflets, brochures, posters (folded to A4 size), photographs (ideally digital on CD-R), press clippings, screen captures, samples of product, adverts (off the page or TV – supplied on DVD). You may also include visual results in graph, table or pie chart format etc. for extra emphasis on a separate sheet with your supporting material (include 10 copies of this). All supporting material must be submitted in an A4 folder or in an A4 box.

Why do I need to start my application NOW?

You need to research data for your entry prior to completing your submission. This can be time consuming and you may also need the support of your team and partners to obtain the type of information needed to make a convincing case for your entry.

When can I enter?

We will be accepting entries for The Card & Payments Awards 2011 from early July 2010. You can request a Call for Entries brochure to be mailed to you by completing the Enquiry Form.

When is the entry deadline?

Entries will need to be sent to The Card Awards, Card Partnerships Ltd, 53 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HS to arrive by 17.00 on Thursday, 7 October 2010.

Is there an entry fee?

Yes, entry fees are payable for each entry submitted (with the exception of one category which is not open to entry). Fees per entry are £195 + VAT. Payment must accompany each entry form and submission and can be made by cheque or credit card.

Are the fees refundable if we decide to cancel our entry?

Entry fees are non refundable.

Will we be sent an acknowledgement and /or receipt for our entry?

You will receive an acknowledgement by email within 7 working days with a Unique Reference Number to track your award. You will also receive a receipt for payment via the post within a month of submitting your entry.

When will I hear any news?

Shortlisted entrants will be notified individually by end November 2011 and the winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 1 February 2012.

Can we enter more than one category?

Yes, multiple entries may be submitted. You should be aware that different factors are considered in the individual categories. Judges will be looking for information that meets these different requirements so entries should be written accordingly. Entry fees are applicable for each entry submitted.

Who are the judges?

The panel will be made up of independent judges and industry experts. You can find a complete list of judges here.

When will the judging process begin?

The judging process begins in late October.

How does the judging process work?

A selected group of the judges will score each entry and these will be consolidated and produce a shortlist for each category. The entire panel will then review these entries and the winner will be selected at a judging panel day, which will take place towards the end of November. All judges will have access to all of the entries, including those which do not make the initial shortlists. Judges will be required to declare any vested or conflict of interest at the time of judging in any particular submission and will be asked to abstain from voting in that category. Supporting material is not supplied to judges at the initial shortlisting stage, with the exception of the card design category (where sample cards are sent to them). Judges will use supporting material on the judging day to provide additional information to the written submissions.

When and where does the Awards Ceremony take place?

The Card Awards Ceremony and Dinner (awards night) will take place at The Grosvenor House, London on the evening of 1 February 2012.

How much are tickets for the Awards Ceremony and where can we book a table?

Tickets for the event on 1 February 2012 are now on sale. Complete the table booking form, or you can book using the form on the Call for Entries brochure. Tables are priced at £2750 + VAT per table of ten until the end of September and include a champagne reception and three course dinner with coffee and half a bottle of wine per person. Additional wine and beverages may be purchased directly from the wine waiters on the night.

What is the dress code for the evening?

The dress code for the evening is black tie/dinner suit/tuxedo.

What do the winners receive?

Winners of each category will receive a trophy and certificate which will be presented at the Awards Ceremony and Dinner on the evening of 1 February 2012 at Grosvenor House in London. The winners will be profiled on the website and in the Awards Night brochure and will have the opportunity to promote their organisation as winner of the category through their own marketing activities. Runners up will also receive a certificate. Where there is a corresponding issuer or co-brand, we endeavour to provide trophies and certificates for them, even if they did not submit the entry directly.

What happens to the information in the entries?

Information submitted will be kept confidential and only for view by the judges, where this has been marked on relevant sections of the submission. Winning entries will be profiled on the website and in the Awards Night brochure. There may also be a possibility of winning and short-listed entries being profiled by the media. All other material will be securely destroyed by first week of December 2011, unless you to inform us at time of submission of entry that you wished us to collect your materials.

How can my company get involved in the awards as a sponsor?

Award categories and other elements of the awards ceremony and dinner can be sponsored. To find out more, please contact us by email. Details of category sponsors can be found here.

If we have any further questions regarding entering the awards, who do we contact?

You can contact Dinah Tobias or Kirsty Perkins with any questions you may have by email or on 020 7812 6488.