The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) calls for nominations for its fifth annual Rising Star Award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated talent, vision, and implementation in the retail environment.

Retailers are invited to nominate individuals (under 40 years of age) working in retail design, visual merchandising or planning who are proven visionaries, innovators, and leaders among peers. Nominees can be members of retail organizations, retail creative designers, or industry suppliers or designers.

• A retailer may nominate members of its organization, retail designers, or industry suppliers

• Individuals nominated must be 40 years of age or younger as of December 2011.

• A completed nomination form must be submitted.

• Three examples of the individual’s work should be attached and the examples can be any combination of: images of design work, images of VM work, written descriptions of specific problem/solution examples, outlines of strategies/programs the person has initiated and executed.

PAVE is seeking nominees demonstrating the following characteristics:

• Originality
• Passion
• Vision
• Intuitive decision-making
• Willingness to take risks
• Ambition
• Persistence
• Resourcefulness
• Professionalism

To apply, please click here to fill out the nomination form.

Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals. PAVE will contact senior management of all finalists by mid-October for employment verification and additional input about the finalist.

Awards will be presented during the PAVE Gala, Dec. 7, 2011, in New York City. All finalists will receive recognition at the Gala, where the winner will be announced. Finalists also will be recognized through print and online through PAVE and in industry trade press. Companies with a finalist are invited to purchase seats at the Gala.

Entry Deadline is Oct. 14, 2011.

Contact PAVE at 954-241-4834 or pave@paveinfo.org with questions.