In partnership with Create Birmingham, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) Foundation 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 at Alabama Launchpad’s Startup Competition Finale, August 27, where the evening’s attendees will vote on the winner. The winner will be named Conference Poet Laureate of 2015 and asked to read his/her winning entry at the 5th Annual Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference, September 2.

Contest Rules

• DEADLINE
  All submissions must be submitted electronically by: JULY 31, 2015 at midnight
  Notification to all, including finalists: AUGUST 14, 2015
  Finalists’ reading: Thursday evening, AUGUST 27, 2015 @ WorkPlay (Birmingham)
  Poet Laureate announced: Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 @ BJCC East Ballroom A (Birmingham)

• 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 finalists, to read their poems in Birmingham on August 27 and September 2.

• THEME
  Submit a poem relating to the theme of innovation and creativity in Alabama. 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 EDPA 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 three finalists will receive free registration to attend the Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference on September 2. All other participants or guests of the finalists 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
Alabama Launchpad helps 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. Learn more at www.alabamalaunchpad.com.

ALABAMA LAUNCHPAD STARTUP COMPETITION FINALE 
Thursday, August 27, 2015
4:00 to 8:00 pm
WorkPlay
500 23rd St South
Birmingham, AL 35233

5th ANNUAL ALABAMA LAUNCHPAD INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
BJCC East Ballroom A
2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard N.
Birmingham, AL 35203