### [Insert Organizatio n Name Here]



## 201 3 Retailer and Distributor Partner of the Year Written Statement Template

Please c omplete, s ave, and u pload to your award a pplication. Compose your written statement by addressing

the evaluation criteria below based only on your activities in 201 2

, unless otherwise requested. Your written

statement must be no more than six (6) pages in length . Organize and label your statement using the categories listed below (e.g., “ Availability of WaterSense Labeled Products ”). The point values following each

cate gory indicate the maximum potential value for all activities within that category. Some partners may not be able to address all of the evaluation criteria, but may be eligible for an Excellence Award if they exhibit outstanding accomplishments in one of the following categories.

Remember that Partner of the Year awards are based on act ivities that increase awareness about WaterSense and WaterSense labeled products . General education on the importance of water efficiency is
valued, but the focus should be on WaterSense

- related activities

. If you choose to submit supporting materials

to c omplement your written statement , which is recommended, clearly reference the supporting materials in your written statement.



## Evaluation Criteria

1. Availability of WaterSense Labeled Products ( 30 points)

Provide the number and/or percentage of your organization’s stores that offer ed WaterSense la beled products and describe how your organization continued to expand its promotion of WaterSense labeled products.

Describe the percentage of WaterSense labeled products stocked on shelves and what goals/t argets your company set for increasing stock of WaterSense labeled products in 201 3 and beyond

. Describe how you made WaterSense labeled products available for sale online and how this made products more readily available to your customers.

2. In

- Store, Showroom, or Online Promotional Activities ( 30 points)

Identify your target audience(s) for WaterSense

- related advertising or outreach (e.g., consumers, plumbers, contractors).

Describe how your organization promoted WaterSense labeled products to customers within the store or show room (if applicable) . In

- store/showroom promotions might include the organization of special events, display of point

- of

- purchase materials and shelf talkers, or use of WaterSense collateral placements

. Describe your online activities that promoted WaterSense. Online promotions might include correctly displaying the WaterSense label and clearly identifying WaterSense labeled products on the company website, hosting blogs, frequently highlighting WaterS ense on social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) , initiating targeted email campaigns, or advertising online.

Describe any other efforts designed to promote WaterSense labeled products to your cu stomers. This might include print and broadcast advertisements or circulars. Provide samples and describe the prominence of these efforts by including the number and frequency of the promo tions.

Describe incentives your organization offered to customers for purchasing WaterSense la beled products.

Provide sample materials used with the incentives and provide quantifiable results, if possible.

If applicable, describe the methods you used to educate plumbers, contractors, or other professionals about the WaterSense labeled products yo u sell. If possible, provide examples of how the profes sionals you work with educated their end

- users. Describe the WaterSense materials you made avail able to these professionals to help them educate their customers.

Include in your descriptions how and where your organization used WaterSense program marks to promote

the Water Sense program and/or your WaterSense partner status.

### [Insert Organizatio n Name Here]

3 . Strategic Collaboration ( 25 points)

Describe how your organization collaborated with other WaterSense partners (e.g., manufacturers, utilities, nonprofits, trade associations, state and local governments, builders, or other retailers or distribu tors) to increase the availability and awareness of WaterSense labeled produc ts. Provide quantifiable results if possible.

Describe how your organization participated in or promoted live or online events designed to increase public awareness of the WaterSense label or water efficiency (e.g.

, Fix a Leak Week, We’re for Wate r

, Shower Better Campaign

, Earth Day activities, etc.)

4 . Employee Education ( 15 points)

Describe your methods for training sales associates or other employees about water efficiency and the WaterSense labeled products you sell. Demonstrate how your sales associates in turn educated your customers about WaterSense labeled products.