Starting today, Special Events Magazine is accepting entries for its 2009 Gala Awards competition, which honors the finest work in special events.

This year's competition is open to events that have taken place between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009. Events that place after Aug. 31 may be entered in next year's competition.

Last year, the Special Events Magazine Advisory Board revised some of the old rules for the competition. Highlights are:

• entries must be anonymous
• entries must include a budget and a timeline
• entries based primarily on donations (e.g., events at The Special Event) are no longer eligible

New this year: Be sure to put the name of the category you are entering and the name of your event on the cover of your binder.

WHAT YOU NEED TO ENTER

For all the information and forms you need to enter the Gala Awards, please click here and read "How to Enter This Year's Gala Competition."

The entry form also appears in the July/August issue of Special Events.

Gala trophy by MK Shannon Awards and Rewards