The following guidelines pertain to unsolicited editorial submissions for use by the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) and Snow Business magazine:

The Director of Content reserves the right to reject, without cause or explanation, any unsolicited submissions.

Upon acceptance, the piece will be used at the Director of Content’s discretion, which may include in print (Snow Business) and/or online (e.g., Snow & Ice Resource Center, e-newsletters, etc.). We do not guarantee publication of unsolicited materials in a specific forum.

Submission is requested to include at least two photos applicable to the content. You must own the photo or have written permission to reproduce the images and that permission must be transferred to SIMA.

SIMA reserves the right to edit for clarity, space, etc.

Content submitted to SIMA must be original and not previously published by another publication. By submitting, you confirm the content has not appeared elsewhere.

Contributions may not endorse a specific product. Articles should be written to present the author as a subject matter expert and not specifically promote or disparage any company or brand.

The author agrees that the submission is presented for the industry’s benefit and will not be paid for publication.

Artificial Intelligence Guidelines for Snow Business Contributors

Snow Business is dedicated to delivering peer-driven insights, stories and solutions for the snow and ice management industry. To protect editorial integrity and adhere to media industry standards, all contributors (solicited or otherwise) must abide by the following rules regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Human Authorship and AI Editing Assistance

● Human-Driven Writing: All submitted content (requested or non-solicited) must be original work authored by a human. Generative AI tools must not be used to draft, ghostwrite, or generate the core narrative or primary text of an article.

● Permitted Review for Clarity and Tone: Contributors may use AI tools for feedback or editing assistance. Using AI to suggest improvements for grammar, conciseness, readability, or tone adjustments is acceptable, provided the final version does not significantly alter the contributor’s original intent and voice.

Disclosure of AI Usage

● The use of AI tools in content generation must be disclosed upon submission.

Accuracy, Voice, and Editorial Accountability

● Verification and Voice: Contributors are legally and ethically responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their submission. Review AI editing suggestions to ensure they do not compromise your expertise or introduce factual errors.

● Fact-Checking: Any data, quotes, or background details gathered or refined with AI assistance must be verified against primary sources prior to submission.

● Confidentiality: Contributors must never input proprietary industry data, confidential source details, or private business information into public AI platforms.

● Plagiarism and Copyright: Contributors must ensure the submission does not violate third-party intellectual property or copyrights.

Enforcement

● Submitting AI-generated content or failing to disclose the use of AI violates Snow Business content guidelines. The content team reserves the right to decline submissions in violation of the policy.

The author agrees that the submission serves as acknowledgment of the above terms and conditions.

Email submissions to Director of Content Cheryl Higley at cheryl@sima.org.

Snow Business Content Submission Guidelines