[Insert Organization Name Here]

2013 Retailer and Distributor Partner of the Year Written Statement 

Template

Please complete, save, and upload to your award application. Compose your written statement by addressing 

the evaluation criteria below based only on your activities in 2012, 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 

category 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 activities 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 complement 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 offered WaterSense labeled 

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/targets your 

company set for increasing stock of WaterSense labeled products in 2013 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 

showroom (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 WaterSense 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 customers. 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 promotions. 

Describe incentives your organization offered to customers for purchasing WaterSense labeled 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 you sell. If possible, provide examples of how the professionals 

you work with educated their end-users. Describe the WaterSense materials you made available 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 WaterSense program and/or your WaterSense partner status. 
[Insert Organization 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 distributors) to 

increase the availability and awareness of WaterSense labeled products. 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 Water, 

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.