CTIA Announces Call for Entries for Annual E-Tech Awards and Big Idea Contest at International CTIA WIRELESS® 2012

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MONDAY, MARCH 5

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- International CTIA WIRELESS® 2012 today issued the call for entries for the annual Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards and BIG Idea Contest until March 5 at 11 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced at International CTIA WIRELESS, taking place May 8-10, 2012, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

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"Wireless is transforming the way we live at an increasingly incredible pace, and International CTIA WIRELESS will dramatically reflect its impressive impacts and benefits," said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director for CTIA. "Both the E-Tech Awards and BIG Idea Contest will showcase this evolution by highlighting the expanding reach of mobile communication, and celebrating excellence and innovation in wireless technology while recognizing the best and the brightest in the global mobile marketplace."

Emerging Technology Awards

The E-Tech Awards program honors the industry's most innovative new wireless products and services in the areas of mobile apps, consumer electronics, enterprise and vertical markets and network infrastructure. Each year, hundreds of applications are submitted and reviewed by a panel of recognized members of the media, industry analysts and executives. With 13 entry categories, products are judged on innovation, functionality, technological importance, implementation and overall "wow" factor.

The CTIA E-Tech Awards submission deadline is Monday, March 5. To enter and view program guidelines please visit www.ctiashows.com/awards. Finalists will be announced in mid-April, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 9 from the Exhibit Innovations Stage at International CTIA WIRELESS 2012. Many award submissions will be showcased in Booth 4575 at the Emerging Technology Zone on the tradeshow floor.

This year's 13 CTIA E-Tech Awards entry categories are:

MOBILE APPLICATIONS – apps marketed and sold to consumers in the areas of:

1.    Health, Wellness & Fitness

2.    Mobile Commerce, Shopping & Rewards

3.    Productivity & Utility & Public Safety

4.    Social/Content/Media/Entertainment

MOBILE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS – wireless-enabled devices for these categories:

5.    Accessories

6.    Smartphones/Handsets

7.    Tablets/Netbooks/Embedded Wireless Devices

ENTERPRISE & VERTICAL MARKET – any products, services, software, applications, hardware or infrastructure used to enable or deploy wireless technology in these enterprise and vertical markets:

8.    General Business 

9.    Healthcare & Wellness

10.  Mobile Marketing or Advertising

11.  Green Telecom & Smart Energy Solutions, Applications and Hardware

INFRASTRUCTURE – products, equipment and services used in the deployment of a wireless network for:

12.  In-Building Wireless/Wi-Fi/LAN

13.  Wide Area Network

In addition, show participants and industry peers will have the opportunity to pick the two "fan favorite" awards. Beginning in mid-April, website visitors may vote for the "Best Online Pick" at www.ctiashows.com/awards. International CTIA WIRELESS show attendees will also have the chance to vote on-site via text message for entries in the E-Tech Awards display to win "Best in Show."

Eligibility Guidelines: All entries must have a release date of October 2011 or later. New releases, prototypes and upgrades demonstrating significant changes or added features are welcome. A $375 non-refundable submission fee applies to the first product, and a $275 submission fee applies to each additional product. Neither CTIA membership nor exhibitor status is required for entry. Full category descriptions and entry information may be found at www.ctiashows.com/awards.

The BIG Idea Contest

In its second year, CTIA's BIG Idea Contest recognizes ideas, visions and concepts for wireless products, applications and services that demonstrate the transformative power of wireless. Online peer voting will reward the top five submissions, focused on changing the way we live, work and play, with time to share their big ideas on stage at International CTIA WIRELESS 2012.

Designed to highlight the most innovative use of wireless technology, last year's program attracted more than 40 applicants. CTIA is now accepting submissions for the BIG Idea Contest at www.ctiashows.com/bigidea—providing a unique opportunity for industry newcomers to introduce the next big idea for mobility to a global audience.

In mid-March, all BIG Idea submissions will be posted to a public site to allow wireless and telecommunications industry professionals to vote and determine the top five finalists—representing this year's best and brightest entrepreneurial minds. The finalists will be announced in mid-April, and three winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 8 from the Exhibit Innovations Stage in Booth 4575 at International CTIA WIRELESS 2012.

Eligibility Guidelines: A non-refundable application fee of $500 applies to the first submission, and $375 for each additional submission. Neither CTIA membership nor exhibitor status is required for entry. Full entry information may be found at www.ctiashows.com/awards.

About CTIA Shows
CTIA Shows bring together all industries advanced by wireless technology for intense business, learning and networking. International CTIA WIRELESS® takes place May 8-10, 2012, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS™ takes place Oct. 9-11, 2012, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif. Visit www.ctiashows.com.

About CTIA
CTIA–The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C. Visit www.ctia.org.

SOURCE International CTIA WIRELESS(R) 2012