All your questions answered

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What is Crain's Cleveland Business' 20 in their 20s?
An annual special section recognizing 20 up-and-coming professionals who haven’t turned 30 yet. These impressive young professionals represent the future of business leadership in Northeast Ohio. While their names might not be top of mind, the impacts they’ve had on their workplaces and the broader community are undeniable.

What are the qualifications for 20 in their 20s?
Aside from being under the age of 30 as of the date of publication (Monday, Sept. 23, 2024), the key quality is that the individual has met with success in their career. Maybe he or she has started an interesting company or is already disrupting their field for the better. Or perhaps he or she has already made an impact through their philanthropic or civic involvement.

When is the deadline for nominations? When is it published?
The deadline for nominations is June 28. Any nominations received after the deadline will not be considered. The section is printed in the Sept. 23 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business and online at CrainsCleveland.com.

Who decides who will be in 20 in their 20s?
A panel of Crain's editors.

How does the process work?
After we receive a nomination, the editors hold a series of meetings to determine who will be chosen. We strive to come up with a diverse list that represents a broad spectrum of the fields, companies and organizations we cover. 

How can I nominate someone?
Click here to submit a nomination. To get started, click the application link and sign into your account. If you do not have an account, you will be asked to create one before you can proceed with the nomination form. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox web browsers to complete your application.

Can I just call you or send you an email with the name of the person I'd like to nominate?
No phone calls or emails, please. We need the detailed information called for in the online nomination form.

I would like to nominate someone, but he or she turns 30 before your publication date. Can I still nominate that person?
No. Nominations for anyone who does not meet the age requirement are discarded. We verify birthdates of finalists.

I want to nominate someone, but would it be better if someone higher up nominated them? Can I nominate a family member?
You can nominate yourself, a client, a family member, your boss, an employee or an acquaintance. The most important thing is that you state a clear, business-oriented reason for the nomination. 

In the nomination form, you ask why the person should be nominated and you have a 300-word limit. That isn't enough room for me to tell everything about the nominee. How do I send additional information?
The best thing you can do is concisely tell us why the nominee should be considered. If you send too much information, the relevant characteristics about the person get lost in the minutiae. Most of the information we need we collect from the candidate and other sources.

Should I send you a nomination form using the online form and then fax you a copy of it and then send you a hard copy, too?
No. We only need it once, and we do not accept faxes.

I want to be picked for 20 in their 20s. Will it help to hire a public relations firm?
It doesn't influence the judging. Some candidates use PR firms or internal corporate communications departments for help with the forms.

Can I contact you to see how my nominee is doing in the judging process?
No. We don't give status reports. If we need any further information, we will contact you. Please be patient.

I have submitted my candidate form. Since then I have won an award. Can I add that to my form? If I have had a change in job or employment, can I update my form?
Awards don't figure heavily in the judging, but feel free to let us know about it. On the other hand, it's very important we know about a change in employer or title.

How will I know if I have been chosen for 20 in their 20s? What can I expect if I am chosen?
When we have finalized our list, we ask reporters to contact the nominees and set up interviews. The nominees are expected to sit for a photograph, in addition to an interview conducted by a reporter. Also, a superior or someone intimately involved with your work should be available to speak with that reporter as well.

If a nominee cannot or chooses not to participate in the photo or the interview, he or she will not be included. 

I was not picked for 20 in their 20s. Can you tell me why?
With hundreds of candidates and only 20 slots, the majority of hopefuls will not be chosen. We cannot explain why you weren't picked because it won't be for any one reason and may be for reasons that have to do with presenting a diverse range of professions and industries.

For customer service questions and concerns regarding your account, please email customerservice@crainscleveland.com.

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