Beyond the Glitter: Unmasking Genuine Awards Events

Last week, I declined to partake as a nominee for an award I was shortlisted for. The organisers couldn't tell me who nominated me, they didn't have an independent judging panel, and there were many other red flags. 🚩

This isn't my first time doing this, and I say "no" more often than "yes."

In a world where recognition often seems elusive, I am incredibly fortunate to have been acknowledged for my work with twenty-four honours and awards.

However, it's equally important to ensure that the recognition we receive holds true integrity and authenticity.

Expressing gratitude for being recognised is a humbling experience. It reminds us of the value we bring to our respective fields and our impact on others. Recognitions serve as milestones, validating our hard work, dedication, and expertise. They are moments to celebrate and share with our support networks, whose encouragement has propelled us forward. 🎉

After working in the events industry for over a decade, I've become pretty good at spotting genuine awards events from those just cashing in on people's egos. It's frustrating to see some events prioritise making money over actually recognising and validating the hard work people put into their projects.

To separate the genuine awards events from the profit-driven ones, here are a few things I've noticed:

🔑 Reputation is key. Look for events that have been around for a while and have a solid track record. If the awards have a good reputation and people in the industry actually value them, chances are they're the real deal.

⚖️ Check out the judging process. Legitimate awards events have independent panels of experts who evaluate the submissions. Any external factors do not influence them and they have the knowledge and experience to make fair judgements.

🕵️ Look into the selection criteria. Genuine awards events have clear guidelines and standards for judging. They let participants know what they're looking for and provide specific categories to ensure a fair evaluation.

✔️ Verification is essential. Reputable events take time to verify the authenticity of the work submitted. They may ask for evidence, and references or even visit the actual projects to ensure everything is legit.

💭 Pay attention to the industry's perception. If professionals in the field hold the awards event in high regard and consider the recognition meaningful, it's a good sign that it's genuine.

🤑 Entry fees and sponsorships can give you a hint. While entry fees themselves don't determine the legitimacy, it's worth considering how they're used. If the fees are exorbitant without any real value in return, it's likely more about making money than recognising achievements. Also, watch out for sponsorships that may compromise the event's independence.

By keeping these things in mind, you'll be able to identify the awards events that actually matter and give credit where it's due, rather than just boosting someone's ego and filling the organisers' pockets. 

As we express gratitude for being recognised, let's also advocate for maintaining integrity within the recognition landscape. Let's support and participate in events honouring our achievements and elevating the industry's standards. By doing so, we contribute to a culture that values authenticity, upholds integrity, and ensures that recognition remains a meaningful and cherished milestone. 🌈

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