About/FAQ

What is the InformationWeek Elite 100?
2016 will be InformationWeek's 22nd year ranking the country's most innovative users of business technology. The InformationWeek Elite 100 tracks the IT practices of the nation's most innovative IT organizations, providing a unique opportunity to understand and examine the business practices of these firms across core areas of operations, including, technology deployment, IT budgets, business-technology infrastructure, and IT strategies.

When does the application period open and close?
The application period for the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 opens in August 2015. Both sections of the application must be completed in order to be considered for the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100. The deadline for submitting the application – consisting of an Innovation Award Entry Form and Strategy and Tactics Survey – has been extended to January 15, 2016.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED. YOU HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2016, TO APPLY.

Does my organization qualify?
The criteria used in the selection process are determined by InformationWeek editors. To make the list, an organization must demonstrate a pattern of technological, procedural, and organizational innovation. Only organizations with $250 million or more in annual revenue may participate in the study (a company may also qualify if they are a subsidiary of a parent company with revenue of $250 million or more; one or more subsidiaries of a single parent may apply as long as the parent does not apply as well). Government agencies are exempt from the revenue requirement. The InformationWeek Elite 100 examines the technology strategies and initiatives of organizations across 23 industries (including higher education and government).

Why should my organization apply?
Unique among technology lists, the InformationWeek Elite 100 spotlights the power of innovation in information technology. By participating in the study, you'll be able to:

• Benchmark your organization's IT strategy against an unrivaled sampling of its peers, partners, and competitors
• Gain national recognition for your business technology team
• Be seen by investors, customers and business partners as a leading technology innovator

Organizations named to the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 will:

• Be honored at the 2016 InformationWeek Conference and InformationWeek Awards Dinner and Gala, May 2 to May 3, 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. Information on the event will be available in November at http://informationweekconference.com.
• Be recognized in the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 digital issue and online at informationweek.com/elite100.

The top five organizations will be profiled in the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 digital issue and on the site, and they'll be featured in a special InformationWeek Elite 100 Report. We will also honor those organizations demonstrating the most innovative uses of technology in the essay portion of the application.

Don't miss this opportunity for your organization to receive the distinct honor of being recognized as one of the country's most innovative users of information technology.

Is there a fee to apply?
No, there is no cost associated with submitting an application.

How do I apply?
Organizations must pre-register for the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 by completing a short online form at: http://informationweek.2016Elite100PREREG.sgizmo.com/s3/. If an organization qualifies, a follow-up email will be sent with a link to the application which can be completed entirely online. This comprehensive survey, written by InformationWeek editors, is used to identify the InformationWeek Elite 100.

The application is finely focused on measuring the strategies and initiatives at the core of business technology innovation. Companies can access InformationWeek Elite 100 Application Tips to guide them through the process.

The application can be completed over a period of multiple sessions. Click on the "Save and Continue" link located at the top of the online application to save your progress. An editing link (which will differ from the link included in your original email invitation) will be emailed to you. Bookmark this link in your browser to access your saved application. If you lose the editing link, please email [email protected] and it will be re-sent to you.

Is the InformationWeek Elite 100 application similar to the InformationWeek 500 application?
Similar to past InformationWeek 500 applications, the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 application has two sections: the Innovation Award Entry Form, and a simple survey focusing on technology strategy and tactics.

The deadline for submitting the application has been exteded to January 15, 2016.

Both parts of the application must be completed in order to be considered for the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100.

Will my organization's information be disclosed?
Although InformationWeek Elite 100 candidates reveal key elements of IT spending plans and budgets during the research process, the data is aggregated and individual responses are never disclosed. Nor do we disclose individual contact information of participants to third parties or to organizations not directly involved in the InformationWeek Elite 100 study.

When will I find out whether or not my organization made the list?
If your organization is among the 100 organizations to make this year's InformationWeek Elite 100 list, an email alert containing pertinent information on your organization will be forwarded in mid- to late February to confirm the accuracy of the information gathered. At the same time, it is possible that you might receive telephone calls and emails from InformationWeek editors interested in interviewing members of your senior staff for the InformationWeek Elite 100 issue.

What if my organization doesn't make the list?
The InformationWeek Elite 100 listing is very competitive and only 100 companies can make the final cut. However, if your organization demonstrates a pattern of technological, procedural, and organizational innovation, it is possible it will be featured in InformationWeek after the InformationWeek Elite 100 publishes.

When will the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 organizations be publicly announced?
The InformationWeek Elite 100 will be honored at the 2016 InformationWeek Conference and InformationWeek Elite 100 Awards Dinner and Gala, May 2 to May 3, 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. The full list of winners will appear both in the 2016 InformationWeek Elite 100 digital issue and online.

Where can I go with questions or for more information?
InformationWeek offers a way to get answers to your InformationWeek Elite 100 questions. We welcome your inquiries by email at [email protected]. Please include your name, company name, and daytime telephone phone number on all communications. All queries will be handled as quickly as possible.

Consider [email protected] as your direct link to the editors and researchers behind the InformationWeek Elite 100. You can submit any questions you have about this year's study using [email protected]. To speak with someone directly, please call Amy Doherty at 212-600-3068.

My company was a 2015 InformationWeek Elite 100 winner. Who do I contact about logo use, ordering awards, ordering reprints, etc.?
You can contact our partner, Wright's Media, directly.