Monday, January 24, 2011
It’s official and it is on!
With a record number of submissions from across the globe, judges for the 5th Annual Paybefore AwardsTM announced the first round of winners for 16 categories in what was reportedly the most intense competition in the awards’ history.
But the real contest is only just beginning…
Three to four winners within each category must now duke it out for the supreme distinction of “Best-In-Category,” to be awarded live before capacity crowds at the 2011 Prepaid Expo USA March 6th through 9th in Orlando, FL – the largest gathering of prepaid industry professionals in the world!
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The Paybefore Awards recognize exceptional achievements in the prepaid and stored value industry – and the pressure for “Best-In-Category” is mounting. According to Paybefore CEO Marilyn Bochicchio, the 2011 crop of candidates marked a milestone in quality.
“This year’s entries showed exceptional creativity and thoughtfulness in using prepaid to solve real-world payment issues and provide outstanding convenience, safety and control for the individuals who use these products,” Bochicchio said.
Prepaid Expo Program Director Hollie Goldman said the ferocity of this year’s competition augers well for the prepaid market, in general.
“Every indicator I’ve seen suggests the prepaid industry is poised for dramatic growth. A meld of technological ingenuity and socio-cultural and economic trends has opened the door for innovative prepaid solutions in government and commercial sectors, both domestic and abroad,” said Goldman.
“At a time of such tremendous progress,” Goldman added, ” is it any wonder that this year’s Paybefore winners have raised the bar? Take a look at the case studies; you’ll find some remarkable stories. We’re delighted to host this year’s awards, but I don’t envy the judges. The 2011 Best-In-Category competition is brutal.”
In fact, the flood of outstanding nominations has prompted Paybefore to introduce two new “Judges’ Choice” awards: one recognizes an entrant that defies categorization, while the other represents an emerging break-through program.
In addition to the Best-In-Category and Judge’s Choice Awards, Paybefore will also announce the winner/s of its prestigious Paybefore Industry Achievement award at the event. This honors the individual/s who’ve made the most significant contribution to the prepaid industry either within the past year and/or over the course of a career.
For more information about IIR’s Prepaid Expo USA 2011 taking place March 6-9 in Orlando, FL or to register, please visit www.iirusa.com/prepaid
For more information about Paybefore, please visit www.paybefore.com
(Courtesy of