As from last year, the final results are going to consist of two parts: 40% from the visitors (by placing your vote) and 60% from an expert jury composed of authorities from each category (in the previous campaigns there was only reader's / visitor's votes that counted); the jury will have the final word in short-listing the candidates.

Voting for nominated candidates starts on 1st March on www.gueststar.org and will be opened for voting for 14 days only.

Also stay tuned to the Radio Slovenia International, which will also serve the most up to date information about the campaign and let you vote for your favourite.

The Guest Star campaign, which is organised by The Slovenia Times and Radio Slovenia International and their partners, seeks to reveal and recognise those individuals from the expat community whose talent and personality directly contributes to the development and openness of Slovenian society.

Expatriates are a vital element in creating a modern cosmopolitan society in Slovenia; one that is based on its cultural heritage and enriched by the influence of others. The purpose of the campaign is to celebrate Slovenia’s expat community by identifying the most remarkable of those individuals in our society. In order to qualify for the Guest Star award the candidates have to live and work in Slovenia for more than six months.

The Guest Star campaign and ceremony attracts increasing media attention every year, bestowing even more recognition and prominence for the candidates. Apart from uniting outstanding foreigners, the ceremony brings together the most prominent Slovenian guests from business, art and diplomatic circles, as well as the highest representatives of the state.

Since expats are active in many different fields, all equally important, the Guest Star committee has separated them into the following categories: Diplomacy Business Sports Culture

Words from the organisers

It is my great pleasure to formally introduce the new Guest Star Campaign. None of candidates were born here in Slovenia but all contribute something truly exceptional to the country they now call home. With the Guest Star Awards, we recognise and honour these outstanding contributions.

We at The Slovenia Times, along with our co-organisers at Radio Slovenia International, are delighted at their impact. It was always our intention that awards would help strengthen international relations and build a cohesive, multi-cultural society. We believe the awards would not have prospered for seven years if these aims were not being met. Of course, these noble intentions do not come at the expense of fun and glamour!

The awards ceremonies have always been glorious events held at stunning locations and with an impressive variety of hosts and special guests. The 2012 event will be no exception. As we look forward to that night, I urge you to read more about the impressive range of nominees for this year's awards. As you will soon see, Slovenia is a country which is benefiting hugely from the diverse contributions of its adopted sons and daughters. I look forward to thanking and honouring them at the ceremony.

Brane Krajnik, CEO of The Slovenia Times

Radio Slovenia International is proud to have been involved in the Guest Star Awards from the very beginning. For the past 8 years, we have participated in the awards and have been delighted to see the event steadily grow in popularity.

From its humble beginnings in the Crystal Hall in Rogaška Slatina, to a well-known media event in the capital, we are happy to see the contributions of foreigners recognized and honored. As a national radio station that broadcasts in two foreign languages (English and German) and one whose staff also includes a healthy mix of locals and immigrants, it is especially important for us to celebrate the healthy cooperation between Slovenes and foreigners.

But beyond awards, the event is also a great place for various nationalities to get to know one another and meet people they might otherwise not. Radio SI is very proud to again be a co-organizer of this year's event, and hopes to do so for many more years to come.

Srečko Trglec, Radio Si