The deadline for digital entries for the 2011 National Sales and Marketing Awards, also known as The Nationals — the largest and most prestigious competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities — has been extended until Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Applicants still have time to complete the quick and easy digital entry process created to eliminate the need to compile time-consuming paper submissions

Now in its 29th year and sponsored by NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council, The Nationals recognize innovation and excellence in 53 categories and typically draw more than 800 entries a year.

The competition is open to individual sales and marketing professionals, home builders, associates and sales and marketing councils. Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony held during the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

The Nationals Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Entries

Submitting new digital entry applications is easy, and The Nationals organizers have created a step-by-step guide, along with several tips, to make submitting online entries as easy as possible.

To enter, applicants will need to:

• Identify the categories they want to enter before filling out any forms.
  
  
• Review the entry requirements for each category.
  
  
• Use the online entry form to submit their selected category entry, along with billing information. (For entering multiple categories, see the tips that follow.)
  
  
• Once the entry form is submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail that includes a unique URL where they can upload all their entry materials.
  
  Applicants can upload their materials in one session or in stages, but all materials need to be uploaded by Oct. 15.

Tips for Creating and Submitting Successful Entries

The Nationals organizers have created the following tips to help applicants create and submit successful entries:

• The best entries tell a successful story in the fewest words. The judges are building industry professionals who want to see facts and results, not entries clouded by PR.
  
  
• The more time spent on the entries, the better they will look to the judges.
  
  
• Be sure the entry is thoroughly reviewed before it is submitted.
  
  
• To enter more than one category with the online entry form, click on the "+ Add Another Project" link directly below the box listing the category name, category number, project name and project location. A duplicate entry box will appear, and the link can be activated for as many entries as are being made.
  
  
• Entry materials can be edited, deleted, re-uploaded and modified as necessary on the conformation URL until the Oct. 15 deadline for final submission.
  
  
• The applicant’s credit card will be charged for the entry as soon as the "Submit" button is clicked on the online entry form. After that, applicants who want to make slight changes to their entries, such as changing categories or the project, can do so by calling 800-658-2751.

For more information, e-mail Lisa Parrish at The Nationals, or call her at 800-658-2751.

Exclusive co-sponsor of The Nationals is MetLife Home Loans and MetLife Bank, N.A. Other Elite sponsors include Thermador and Wells Fargo. Preferred sponsors include AT&T Connected Communities, Move.com and Washington Post Media.

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