• Read the participation guide.
• There is a registration fee associated with entering the contest, but don't let this be a barrier from entering.
• Businesses, civic groups, and municipal departments are often willing to pay the registration fee.

#2 Organize and inspire your community

• Form a beautification or "in Bloom" committee to organize the community's efforts
• Use the new Community Action Kit to promote the community's participation
• Consider forming subcomittees for each of the six judging criteria, many communities employ subcommittees. The six criteria are: Floral Displays, Landscaped Areas, Urban Forestry, Environmental Efforts, Heritage Preservation, and Overall Impression. See the Community Resources Tab on the front page to get resources for each criterion. 
• Beautification contests within your community often provide inspiration and friendly competition for residents.

#3 Prepare for the judges' visit

• Work with your committee to develop an itinerary that provides good representation of your community, not just selected areas.
• Plan a driving tour through town that highlights community elements from all eight judging criteria.
• Get as many volunteers involved as possible!
• Complete the "Community Profile Book" (AIB will send the template to use to develop your book).*
• Secure at least two nights of accommodations and meals for the judges.

#4 Attend the AIB Symposium & Awards Program

• See your community recognized as a participating city and find out if your community is the recipient of a population or criteria award.
• Network with other communities and learn from their experiences, good and bad.
• Attend educational sessions for a variety of ideas and projects you can use to expand existing beautification efforts and develop new ones.

#5 Celebrate your community's achievements!

• Recognize all the volunteers who helped make a difference with a community potluck, parade, reception, or other event.

• Review your community's evaluation and share with committees and volunteers.
• Identify target areas and projects to improve upon and strategies to implement.
• Keep thanking volunteers and maintain their excitement by starting new projects.

 *all photographs submitted to AIB may be used for promotional and educational purposes without compensation.