Join the Contest and Have Your Say!
We’re thrilled to announce a unique opportunity for IHLS members and staff to get involved in naming our new Automated Materials Handling System (AMHS) sorting machines! This fun, collaborative contest will consist of three rounds running from February through April. We'll reveal the winning names at a live online ribbon-cutting event at the Carbondale hub in July. Whether you're an IHLS member or an IHLS staff member, your input will help launch these new machines that will soon become integral parts of our operations.
How the Contest Works
The naming process will take place over three successive surveys, each designed to involve everyone in the selection of the perfect names. The top three winners will receive a prize, with the grand prize going to the person who suggested the first-place name. Here’s a breakdown of the three rounds.
Round 1
Members Suggest Potential Names for the AMHS
Dates: Feb. 28 - March 14, 2025
The first round will allow members to submit their ideas for potential machine names. It’s your chance to be creative! When you submit a name, make sure to include your contact details, as the first, second, and third place winners will receive special prizes.
Round 2
IHLS Staff Vote for the Top 10 Names Provided by Members
Dates: March 21 - April 4, 2025
For this second round, IHLS staff members will get the opportunity to vote for their 10 favorites out of the names suggested by members. To ensure unbiased voting, all identities and affiliations will be excluded from this round's contest survey. It'll only provide suggested machine names.
Round 3
IHLS Members Choose the Top Three Names
Dates: April 11 - April 25, 2025
In the third and final round, members will narrow the list down to three. Again, we'll omit identifying information for fair and impartial voting. The first-place name will go to the Carbondale machine with the second- and third-place names going to Champaign and Edwardsville respectively.
The Big AMHS Name Reveal
After all three surveys have closed, we’ll wrap up the contest with a live ribbon-cutting event at the Carbondale hub. The grand finale for the Carbondale location will take place in early July.
Stay tuned for more details about how to join the celebration via Zoom!
Contest Communications
To keep everyone informed throughout the process, there will be regular updates across different platforms:
- We'll make announcements on the IHLS website, with articles in our newsletters.
- Social media posts will highlight the start and final events of the survey process.
- IHLS will be sending email reminders at various points to ensure you don’t miss out!
Contest Timeline*
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February 28 – March 14 — Round 1: A survey asking IHLS members to suggest potential names.
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March 21 – April 4 — Round 2: A survey asking IHLS staff to select the top 10 names.
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April 11 – April 25 — Round 3: A survey asking IHLS members to vote for the top three names, using ranked choice.
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April 29 — The Edwardsville Ribbon Cutting, open to IHLS staff, will be recorded for the live grand reveal in July.
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June 3 — The Champaign Ribbon Cutting, open to IHLS staff, will be recorded for the live grand reveal in July.
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July 7 — The Grand AMHS Name Reveal & Carbondale Ribbon Cutting, open to IHLS staff and members. This will be a live Zoom meeting for all to attend. The ribbon-cutting recordings will be played, and the Carbondale ribbon-cutting grand reveal will be live.
*The dates for the ribbon cutting are tentative and subject to change due to delays in production or shipping. Once the dates are confirmed, a formal invitation will be sent!
