How to enter the Laboratory Awards 2020

The first thing you’ll want to do is download the entry guide. Have a good look through the categories to see which ones you are interested in entering. You can enter as many as you like. Then pop a reminder of the entry deadline and ceremony date in your diary!

To be a part of the competition, you’ll need to register your entry online. Simply head to the homepage, click ‘Register Now’ and fill in the details. This helps us to know how many entries to expect and we can remind you of the deadline so be sure your details are correct!

Now it’s time to start compiling your entries! Think about getting the judges attention, making them want to read your submission, and give you an award. Your entry needs to be clear, creative and concise. It’s all about standing out.

What we need.
Up to 500 words on your chosen category. Follow the guidelines and include all of what is asked of you – If you don’t include all the points and someone else does, then your entry is already at a disadvantage.

What Layout to use.
Complete your entry in the specified format and if there isn’t one make sure the format you use has as few barriers as possible – nothing is more frustrating for the judging panel then when an entry won’t open or play correctly. PC friendly is always the best option as they will open on a Mac, however, a Mac file won’t open on a PC! The most popular formats are a nicely designed PDF, Word Document or PowerPoint Presentation. You can include folders of supporting evidence separately too.

Useful tip: Word Documents, PowerPoint and Keynote files can all be saved as PDF files.

Examples of Supporting Evidence.
Below is a list of different types of supporting evidence you can include your entry. Supporting evidence is not included in the word count so feel free to add all that is relevant to that category.

• Before & after clinical photos
• Patient, staff and client testimonials
• Any evidence of charity work, working with the local community, schools, etc.
• Google/Online reviews (you can screenshot them and send them as images)
• Marketing literature (Aftercare leaflets, promotional offers, online campaigns etc)
• Include website URLs and social media links
• Photos/Videos of the Laboratory (These can be both internal and external)
• Photos the team (these can be professional images and casual team photos from social days out/training days, etc.)

Relevant staff training information

For some helpful tips check out our blog!

Its time to submit your entries. Entries must be electronic and can be sent to us at awards@fmc.co.uk in many ways. Once received we will email you confirmation that your entries have been submitted.

Via WeTransfer.
We have a WeTransfer page which has a 20gb allowance to allow for large file transfers, https://fmcawards.wetransfer.com. All you need to do is drop your files onto the webpage and fill in your email address. In the message box, please note the award and categories you are entering.

To be able to send a folder in WeTransfer, you need to zip the file first. To do this;

1. Locate the folder that you want to zip.
2. Right-click the folder, select Send to, and then select Compressed (zipped) folder.
3. A new zipped folder with the same name is created in the same location. To rename it, right-click the folder, select Rename, and then type the new name. Use this file to drop on to the WeTransfer page.

Via email.
Simply attach your entries to an email and send to awards@fmc.co.uk. Please ensure you clearly highlight which award and categories your entries are for.

After the deadline date has passed, the judging will take place! Our panel of esteemed judges considers each entry carefully, leaving them with some very difficult decisions. After the finalists have been decided, everyone will receive a letter outlining if they have been shortlisted, and if they have, for which categories. These can also been also be found in Laboratory magazine!

This ceremony formally recognises the science behind the smile. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded dental professionals with a passion for excellence, enjoy good food and a fantastic time.

There are a limited amount of tickets available and they are sold on a first come first served basis. So if you would like secure your place to avoid disappointment, please call 01923 851771.

Download the entry template, an editable word file, to help you through the confusion of creating an entry.