Award deadlines coming up (scroll down below text for a list of awards organised by industry) 

Welcome to my latest award deadline update. As the UK proceeds to come out of lockdown, we are finding that it is still very much the case that the vast majority of schemes are postponing their events but not cancelling, so it is business as usual. A small handful of ceremonies have switched to online events (less than 10%) and the number of schemes that have cancelled entirely is thankfully less than 3%. Unfortunately, a couple of prominent schemes like The Chamber Business Awards and the UK Stonewall Index will be on hold until 2021, but there are plenty of very credible schemes available instead. We are finding that, in response to the pandemic, we are getting a lot of companies contacting us and placing even more importance on awards, many with the same message that ‘this award would be a way of paying something back to our people.’ So here are my recommendations for awards to consider in July, August and beyond.

This time of the year is very much HR awards season, as well as there being some significant training awards deadlines. But it’s not all about HR, there are plenty of other great awards schemes approaching in customer contact, marketing and technology, and some of the big general business awards like The National Business Awards are now open so definitely worth including in your planning.

One of the most prestigious awards of them all, The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, opened its doors for entry on 1st May. While the 9th September deadline may seem some way off, the entry process for these is formidable and requires months of planning and collecting evidence, and a huge written entry. We are already taking bookings now as we are highly experienced when it comes to these awards, having written dozens of winning entries, so please get in touch and we will be happy to provide you with a free eligibility check. You may find our guide ‘How to win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise‘ helpful.   

As ever, contact our team here at Boost if you need help with your entries or guidance on which awards to enter. But please bear in mind that we work on a first-come-first-served basis – and our capacity is filling up fast, so don’t leave it until the last minute. Okay let’s get started…

HR awards and training awards

I wanted to share a quick summary here, but for more information please check out our more detailed guides – ‘Which are the best HR awards to enter?‘ or ‘Which training awards should I enter?‘

The UK Social Mobility Awards are about making the advancement of social mobility a key part of how organisations are run in this country. An excellent scheme and unique in its focus. The deadline is 10th July. 

The TJ Awards are another favourite of ours, brought to you by Training Journal, and recognising the best in L&D practice. They have just extended the final deadline to 10th July which is very helpful for doing justice to your application.

The Learning Technologies Awards are very credible and high profile and now accepting entries. Do note that you needed to register by 30th June, but the submission deadline is 31st July. I am sure if you contacted the organisers asap they would still accept some registrations under the current circumstances. 

We are delighted to be partnering with the highly credible Investors in People Awards this year, which opened for entry on 1st June. These are brilliantly run and very well established, and while the deadline of 14th August may seem far off, they are extremely competitive, so it will pay dividends to start your entry now. A wonderful way to show recognition for all the wonderful work that has been done during the crisis and beforehand. 

Business awards

As already mentioned, the prestigious National Business Awards are now open, the publicised deadline 5th June is imminent, but I would imagine some extension to this will occur. For an alternative award aimed at inspiring female business owners, you should consider the Best Business Women Awards. These are great as they give recognition regardless of size – from sole traders to large companies – and they have a favourable 31st July deadline.    

Customer contact awards

For a more comprehensive overview, please read our guide, Which are the best customer service awards to enter?

The International Customer Experience Awards are an excellent way of recognising the incredible work being done by CX professionals around the world, something extremely pertinent during these times. Incredibly well-run awards and now, in response to the pandemic, entirely online. Experience online presentations, judging and the ceremony all in one day. You will need to enter before 4th September. We have written a guide to everything you need to know about entering in 2020.    

Digital, Tech and IT awards

One of the biggest awards in the industry, The UK IT Industry Awards are accepting entries until 3rd July so you will need to be quick. With IT and digital services playing a critical role in the current COVID-19 pandemic, what better way to get recognition for the IT professionals that are keeping the national infrastructure going and enabling us all to stay connected.    

Scientific awards

The IChemE Global Awards are the premier recognition programme for chemical engineering. Past winners include some very well known names like Nestle, BP and GSK – in order to join them you will need to enter by 10th July.  

Marketing awards

The Hermes Creative Awards, so-named after the ancient Greek messenger, are a US-based scheme open to international entry. They honour the messengers of traditional and emerging media, and are also both credible and winnable. Featuring over 200 categories, there is sure to be something suitable for you or your team to enter (they remain open until 16th July). Others awards by the same organisers, but also recognising the digital and creative industries, include The dotComm Awards and The Videographer Awards. The deadline for both is 30th July.   

Now in their 15th year, The B2B Marketing Awards always go with a particular creative theme, this years being recognised as ‘a giant of B2B’ – thankfully they just extended the deadline to 17th July.

The Cresta Awards (“The Creative Standard”) are an extremely credible and well-established global award scheme. In response to the current crisis they have made all entries free – so there has never been a better time to enter them. The deadline is 20th July.

Finally, another international scheme to consider, The Muse Creative Awards – global creative awards recognising the world’s best marketing, communications and video concepts. The entry deadline for season 2 is 16th July. Their sister schemes are also open and well worth entering – The Vega Digital Awards Season 1 is open until 23rd July – while NYX Awards will close for entries slightly later on 30th September.  

Sustainability awards

Final mention to a great scheme – The SEAL Business Sustainability Awards – recognising Sustainability, Environmental Achievement and Leadership. These are US-based but open to global entry until 17th July.   

Hopefully these highlights have provided some insights to help you plan which awards to enter. Below you will find all the awards with deadlines occurring within the next two months, organised by industry sector. Remember, do please contact Boost if you need a helping hand entering any of these – our in-house team of experienced award writers have won over 1,400 awards and can increase your chances of a win significantly.

You can also sign up for our email deadline reminder service, so that the next two months of deadlines arrive in your inbox – completely free of charge. Handy, I think you will agree!  

Stay safe and well, and let’s all keep recognising the outstanding people, teams, projects and businesses out there.

Chris.