Official Rules

1. All entries must be received no later than 12:00am on July 1, 2010 to be considered.

2. Winners in all categories must be a valid, licensed business that is legally entitled to operate in the state in which it resides. If proof of this entitlement is requested, contestant must provide it to The Industry Source magazine.

3. There will be one first place winner, one second place winner and one third place winner in the main category, Best of the Best Salon/Spa of the Year Award. These winners will be chosen from the entire group of valid entered contestants.

4. There will be one honorable mention in each of the following categories: Spa, Nail Salon, Hair Salon (7 or more stations) and Hair Salon (6 stations or less). Contestants who win honorable mentions in these categories must fit the description exactly, i.e. Nail Salon honorable mention must be a nail salon exclusively.

5. All fields of the entry form must be filled out completely to be considered for any award. If any field is left vacant, the contestant’s entry form will be deemed invalid.

6. Contestants must upload no less than two photos for consideration. Problems with photo uploads can be reported by emailing editor@theindustrysource.com.

7. Faxed entry forms are not preferred, but will be accepted if technical difficulties pose a problem while attempting to enter. Simply complete the form, print and fax to: The Industry Source magazine 248.347.3351.

8. Judges will rank entrants in the following categories: Image, Design, Customer Service, Employee Education, Service Menu, Goals. The fields within the entry form provide the entrant the opportunity to expand upon how their business shines in each of these areas.

9. Description of criteria: a. Image: Regarding the overall image and branding of the business. The judges will review how the business owner has shaped and maintained their brand in order to solidify their image within their community and client base. b. Design: This refers to design, layout, décor and organization within the salon. Judges will review uploaded photos as well as the entrant’s description of their business to determine scoring in this category. Judges are seeking businesses that pay special attention to the appearance of their facility – cleanliness, organization and up to date décor will be scrutinized. c. Customer Service: Based on entrant’s description of customer service philosophy, judges are seeking a business that offers 100% customer success. Approach to customer service should be fair, customer-centric, positive, flexible and over the top – meaning, personnel should be coached to go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations in any situation. d. Employee Education: Education is one of the most important components of the industry, as trends constantly change. The Industry Source magazine firmly believes in the concept of lifelong learning and the winning business will share this view. Judges will be seeking a business that encourages ongoing education for its service providers, either by in-house training, sending employees to classes or other valid forms of continuing education that keeps skills sharp and prevents stagnation within the service. e. Service Menu: With the competition rising among salons and spas, a unique service menu of offerings will set businesses apart from their competition. Winners will have a variety of services/treatments that is exciting and unique, but also offers the fundamentals. f. Goals: Without established plans and goals for the future, business goes nowhere. Judges are looking for a business with a clear, executable plan for the next year and the next several years. Entrants should consider how they plan to maintain financially, grow their client base, increase their service menu, increase staff, polish existing skills and eradicate any current detriments to their own success. A structured plan for execution is required for this section of the competition.

10. Winners will be notified by phone.