MIAMI-- The American Welding Society (AWS) is once again looking for the best and brightest stars in the welding industry. The AWS has issued a call for entries in the 8th Annual Image of Welding Awards program. This is the industry's top awards competition saluting the year's most outstanding public initiatives and programs that promote the image of welding. The entry deadline is July 12, 2010.

The Image of Welding Awards is open to all welding industry professionals. The awards are presented by AWS, the world’s largest organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology and application of welding, and also by the Welding Equipment Manufacturers Committee (WEMCO), a standing committee at AWS. WEMCO is composed of executives of welding industry suppliers, to promote the welding equipment market.

Awards are issued in seven categories. All individuals, organizations and groups may be nominated for multiple categories. Self nominations are also welcome. Winners will be honored at the Image of Welding Awards Ceremony to be held during the FABTECH Show on November 2-4, 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

The Image of Welding Awards Program recognizes outstanding achievement in the following categories:

* Individual (you or other individual)
* Section (AWS local chapter)
* Large Business (200 or more employees)
* Small Business (less than 200 employees)
* Distributor (welding products)
* Educator (welding teacher at an institution, facility, etc.)
* Educational Facility (Any organization that conducts welding education or training)

Nominations will be judged by WEMCO. Promoting the image of welding as a critical industry is among WEMCO’s priority programs.

To see past Image of Welding Award winners and to submit a nomination, download the PDF nomination form online at http://www.aws.org/awards/image.html. Completely fill out and return the nomination form through email to image@aws.org, fax to (305) 443-1552 or send by postal mail to AWS Image of Welding Awards, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126. For questions and other requests, please call AWS toll-free at 800-443-9353.

About AWS

The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 60,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and student chapters. For more information, visit the society’s website at http://www.aws.org and click on “Pressroom.”

About WEMCO

In 1996, the American Welding Society established WEMCO as a Standing Committee dedicated to providing a common voice to the Welding Industry, Government Bodies and Technical Organizations worldwide. Today, this committee, representing manufacturers making products for welding processes and applications, provides valued added information and services to end users, distributors and manufacturers in the welding industry.