Marketing Competition Announcement Letter 04.doc

HOW MANY PRIZES AREAWARDED?Three. The panel of judgesselects the top three entriesbased on three factors and allthree will receive the specialASLRRA Marketing Award.WHAT IS THE DEADLINEFOR SUBMITTINGENTRIES?Friday, March 12, 2004WHEN WILL THE PRIZESBE AWARDED?The special ASLRRA MarketingAward will be presented atASLRRA’s Annual Meeting andExhibition in St. Louis, Mo.onApril 23, 2004.WHO DO I CALL FOR MOREINFORMATION?Call Matt Reilly at ASLRRA at202-585-3434 for additionaldetails.HOW DO YOU ENTER?Provide ASLRRA with a writtendescription of the marketingaward entry in sufficient detail topermit outside judges to reviewthe essential elements of yourmarketing initiative. Photos andvideo tapes are welcome, butnot necessary, and if submitted,there must be three completesets of photos, or videos toprovide the judges, and cannotbe returned.Send your entry to:Matt ReillyASLRRA50 F Street, N.W., Suite 7020Washington, D.C. 20001-1536CAN A RAILROAD SUBMITMORE THAN ONE ENTRY?Yes. The purpose of thiscompetition is to demonstratethe unique role of short line andregional railroads in serving andexpanding their customer base.A railroad may have separatemarketing programs based ondifferent customer needs. Eachentry is eligible to be submittedseparately for judging.The ASLRRA MARKETINGAWARD is based on these threefactors:• Small Railroad FactorAbility to use the unique characteristicsof a short line orregional railroad to developnew business and consistentlymaintain existing customers;to work successfullywith economic developmentauthorities and Class I railroads;to be a positiveeconomic factor in a community;and to establish strongrelationships with thecommunity and shippers.• Customer Service FactorAbility to identify customerneeds, shape railroad serviceto meet those needs; react tomarket conditions with innovativeand workable solutions.• Success FactorAbility to translate marketingconcepts and proposals tosolid successes in gainingand keeping new and/orexpanded business opportunities.