In partnership with Create Birmingham, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) is holding a statewide poetry contest. Contestants are asked to submit an original composition on the theme of innovation and creativity in Alabama. Three finalists will be asked to present their work through an online video voting contest. The winner will be named Conference Poet Laureate of 2016 and asked to read his/her winning entry at the 6th Annual Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference on August 31, 2016 in Birmingham.
CONTEST RULES
- DEADLINE
All submissions must be submitted electronically by: APRIL 11, 2016
Notification to all, including finalists: MAY 10, 2016
Finalists’ reading: Video voting contest (alabamalaunchpad.com), JUNE 1 – 30, 2016
Poet Laureate announced: AUGUST 31, 2016, Birmingham (Location TBD) - WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Participants must be 18 and over and must reside, study and/or conduct business in the state of Alabama. Participants must commit to traveling, if selected as the Poet Laureate, to read his/her poem in Birmingham on August 31, 2016. Location to be determined. - THEME
Submit a poem relating to the theme of innovation and creativity in Alabama. The Poet Laureate will read his/her poem at the Conference luncheon in place of an invocation, and, for that reason, the organizers encourage submissions that are uplifting and celebratory. The poem may be in free verse or rhymed, in a traditional form or contemporary, literal or abstract. Contestants may find it helpful to keep in mind the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama is a statewide organization and does not promote one geographic area of the state over another. - PRIZES
$100 will be awarded to two finalists and $250 for the finalist who wins the contest.
The winner will also receive a commemorative artwork. The winner will receive free registration to attend the Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference on August 31, 2016. All other guests of the winner must register and pay the conference registration fee. - POETRY MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS
Submit a one-page poem that is a maximum of 3 minutes in length when read aloud.
The poem must have a title, even if it is “Untitled.”
Your name/identifying information must not appear on the poem – only on the required cover form. - SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY
Include the required entry cover form with your poem.
Email your entry to Jessica Moody, jessica@createbirmingham.org
Subject line: Conference Poetry Contest Submission.
Email will be used to interact with all entrants.
Please, do not contact the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, the contest sponsor, by telephone with questions. If, after carefully reading the instructions, you still have questions, please email the contest contact Jessica Moody at Create Birmingham using the words POETRY CONTEST in the subject line of your email.
ABOUT ALABAMA LAUNCHPAD
For 10 years, Alabama Launchpad has helped high growth companies start, stay and grow in Alabama while supporting, advocating, and recognizing entrepreneurship statewide. Alabama Launchpad is a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. www.alabamalaunchpad.com.
ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP OF ALABAMA
Now in its 26th year, the non-profit Partnership represents the private sector’s contribution to economic development in Alabama. Fully funded by more than 70 leading companies invested in the state’s long-term economic success, EDPA provides leadership and services that recruit new businesses to the state, retain existing businesses and renew Alabama’s economy by encouraging innovation both within existing industries and through the commercialization of new technologies. www.edpa.org
6th ANNUAL ALABAMA LAUNCHPAD INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location TBD
Download the Poetry Contest Cover Form here.
Read Marjorie Chavez’s winning poem, “Would You Like a Piece,” from 2015
Read Douglas Ray’s winning poem, “Forging Innovation,” from 2014