Event Outline

The Governor’s Giant Vision Business Awards 2012 Competition

Sponsored by Governor Rounds and Black Hills Corp., Rapid City; Avera McKennan, Sioux Falls; Christiansen Land & Cattle, Kimball; Dacotah Banks, Aberdeen; Daktronics, Inc., Brookings; Home Federal Bank, Sioux Falls; South Dakota EPSCoR, Brookings; Toshiba America, Mitchell; US Bank, Aberdeen, Rapid City and Sioux Falls; and Wheeler Manufacturing, Lemmon

Event Outline:

  • Online entries must be finalized and submitted no later than midnight (CST), Friday, February 24, 2012. 
  • Independent panel of judges will review applications and select 12 qualifying entrants for competition.
  • Qualifying entrants will receive an invitation to compete around March 16.  Non-qualifiers will also be notified of their status.
  • On the day of the event, all qualifiers will set up displays at the Best Western Ramkota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The space for each qualifier is 8’ wide by 6’ deep.  Skirted tables will be provided or you may use a free-standing booth, if you have one.  Displays may NOT protrude beyond the allotted space.
  • Judges will briefly view the displays at the beginning of the day.  Each qualifier will then make a fifteen-minute presentation (including Q & A) to the judging panel in room away from the display area.  When presentations are complete, the judges will meet privately to discuss the selection of finalists.
  • Qualifiers will be required to prepare, in advance, a 50 word statement explaining their idea.  This will used as a public introduction of your company and also for promotional purposes.
  • Qualifiers will be required to prepare a 160-word “Elevator Talk” in which you sum up the idea of your business plan and concisely explain why someone should be interested.  Elevator Talks will be recorded the day of the competition.
  • During the luncheon entrants will have the opportunity to visit with established business leaders. 
  • At the conclusion of the day, the finalist will be announced but the prize money will not be awarded until the Tuesday evening banquet. Finalist will be required to remain setup throughout April 10.