LonMark International is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the annual LonMark International Awards in conjunction with AHR Expo being held in Chicago on January 26-28, 2009.

LonMark International Awards will recognize projects, products, individuals, and programs that are leading the industry in innovation and accomplishment. Nominations are welcome from around the world and will include the following categories:

• Multi-Vendor Project of the Year
• Product of the Year (3)
• Visionary of the Year
• Initiative of the Year

Nominations are open to any individual or company and nominees need not be present to win, although the nominees will be encouraged to attend the conference and share their wisdom and knowledge with others.

Each category has a set of criteria by which nominations will be judged. The LonMark International Board of Directors will evaluate the nominees based upon defined criteria for each category. Decision of the board is final. Each board member will have one vote and the winners will be announced on January 27, 2009 at 4:30pm at the awards ceremony. Please note that nominations must be received by LonMark International no later than December 15, 2008.

Multi-Vendor Project of the Year
Application Form - Word Application Form - pdf
Nominations will be judged based upon the following criteria:

• Degree of openness of the system consisting of the following elements
• Use of LonMark Certified products
• Use of integrated system components
• Openness of all five areas of the system: Devices, Infrastructure, Tools, User Interface, and Enterprise Connectivity
• Benefit of LON for the end user
• Competitive bidding
• Value of integrated system
• Energy efficiency achieved
• Maintenance and Operational efficiencies
• Unique control strategy
• Overall project scope
• Unique application of LON towards system integration benefiting the project and the industry

LonMark Products of the Year
Innovation and inspiration are the cornerstones of continued growth for any industry. New products and solutions help foster new ideas and applications.
Three categories of product types are available:

1. LonMark Certified Device
   Application Form - Word Application Form - pdf
1. Adherence to LonMark Guidelines
2. Device must be certified at time of nomination
3. Must adhere to the spirit of open interoperability
4. Uniqueness of product application
5. Solution to industry problem or issue
6. Special consideration will be given to:
   
   
   • Energy efficiency
   • Industry best practice solution
   • Sustainable design principles
     
     
2. Infrastructure Product (Hardware) - including Programmable Device, Cross Industry Device, Tools
   Application Form - Word Application Form - pdf
   
1. Uniqueness of solution
2. Addressing industry problem with effective solution
3. Openness of solution
4. Integration into an open LON system
5. Special consideration will be given to:
   
   
   • Energy efficiency
   • Industry best practice solution
   • Sustainable design principles

3. Software Solution - Graphical User Interface, Enterprise Application, Analysis Tool, Management Tool
   Application Form - Word Application Form - pdf
   
1. Solution to industry problem or issue
2. Usage of LON/LAN/WAN open infrastructure principles
3. Enterprise applicability of solution
4. Openness of solution
5. Special consideration will be given to energy efficiency, industry best practice solution, and/or sustainable design principles

Initiative of the Year
Application Form - Word Application Form - pdf
Teamwork is the guiding principle for many corporations. As corporations come together to work in harmony for the common good of all, alliances and programs are formed to help blaze a trail for others. Trade associations, users groups, and even individual companies have developed great ideas and have invited others to join in their vision. This award will recognize initiatives or programs whose mission is to enhance the industry and foster new ways of thinking, new product development, and/or new concepts in addressing industry issues.
Nominations will be judged based upon the following criteria:

1. Relevance to industry or societal issue or concerns
2. Inclusion of multiple industry entities – product vendors, end users, integrators, system suppliers, etc.
3. Usage of LonMark products as part of the implementation of a solution
4. Special consideration will be given to energy efficiency, industry best practice solution, and/or sustainable design principles

Industry Visionary of the Year
Application Form - Word Application Form - pdf
People make this industry thrive. There are many leaders that are dedicating their efforts towards continued progress and for the benefit of all. This award will be presented to that individual who exemplifies the attributes of a true visionary.
Nominations will be judged based upon the following criteria:

1. Leadership role in LonMark International, LonMark Affiliate, or local users group
2. Industry support through public appearances, seminars, discussion groups
3. Publication of articles in the LonMark Magazine and other trade media
4. Delivering on the concepts of LON, open and interoperability
5. Special consideration will be given to nominees who demonstrate the principles of industry stewardship and the implementation of these principles in their own lives and businesses

Please contact marketing@lonmark.org for more information.