Chicago 2016 is hosting a "Why Chicago" video contest

I just got this email this afternoon:

Hi,

I’ve been reading your posts on the Chicago 2016 effort, and I want to invite you and your readers to help America win the Host City privilege by participating in a new video contest. Some of the earliest submissions have been passionate, funny, whimsical and even moving. Check them out here.

Starting today through November 25, 2008, you can visit www.Chicago2016.org/contest to upload (or just vote) on user-generated videos that capture the spirit of Chicago and tell the world why the Windy City should host the Games in 2016. Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges based on a combination of popular vote and the following criteria:

• Originality

• Creativity

• relevance to the "Why Chicago" theme

• production quality

The Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to Vancouver for a behind the scenes tour of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and have their video featured on NBC 5 News Today.

Second place will win $5,000 worth of video production equipment of their choice

And you don’t have to upload a video to win. One lucky voter will be chosen at random to win a trip for six to the United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) headquarters in Colorado Springs to see the USOC's world-class training facilities, watch Olympians and Olympic hopefuls train and participate in a U.S. Olympic sport experience.

I hope you can participate, either by creating a video, voting, or letting others know about the “Why Chicago” campaign. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions – thanks!

-Steve

If you're interested I'll forward the e-mail to you. But here's the company website that Mr. Steve Elwell represents at Hill & Knowlton.