5 Places to source expert judges for a successful awards program

Judges are crucial to the success of your awards program. They provide the knowledge and experience necessary for the objective assessment of entries. 

A panel of judges consisting of industry experts and other high-authority persons builds public trust in the program, as they work to uphold ethical standards and avoid any personal biases. Their professionalism can enhance the judging experience, providing value to your awards program.

However, selecting individuals who lack the required expertise as judges can foster controversy and backlash, undermining the awards program. 

Finding and choosing the best awards program judges begins with looking in the right places. Here are five places to source reputable judges for your awards program. 

1. Within your industry

Your industry is full of experts who can function as judges. Industry professionals understand the standards of excellence and have the experience to evaluate submissions thoroughly and fairly. Building a panel of judges from within your industry can boost the credibility of your awards program, attract high-quality entrants and foster growth within the industry.

Consider checking professional associations in the industry for good candidates. Recognised thought leaders, renowned authors, speakers and other influential voices in the space can make very reputable judges.       

2. Related academic institutions

Depending on the nature of your awards program, submissions can often require critical and systematic evaluation. This makes it essential to adopt an analytical approach when assessing entries. 

Academic and research institutions and other organisations dedicated to education and innovation can be helpful sources of judges for such awards programs. 

Scholars can offer a research-driven perspective that guarantees the alignment of theories, best practices and innovation, making them ideal for identifying submissions that can power industry advancement. These academic experts can enhance the prestige of your awards program and strengthen the ties between industry and academia.          

3. Your organisation’s network

When looking for awards program judges, consider your backyard before searching far and wide. Chances are there are suitable people in your organisation’s network. People within your organisation’s community are often already trusted stakeholders who understand your brand’s reputation. 

People within your organisation’s network who can function as judges include senior leaders, retired executives, previous judges, partners and sponsors. Their knowledge of your company values can ensure that evaluations align with your organisation’s overall mission and goals. Similarly, they can offer diverse perspectives and ensure consistency in evaluation.      

4. Regulatory bodies

Excellence should be measured against the highest benchmarks. Government agencies and regulatory bodies are a good place to source your awards program judges. Officials and policymakers from these institutions ensure that awards criteria align with industry standards and best practices. 

They also offer objective and authoritative perspectives that establish the legitimacy of the awards program. Adding officials from regulatory bodies to your panel of judges can attract more quality participants and raise the bar of excellence.    

5. Media houses

The Webby Awards is a popular awards program that celebrates excellence on the Internet. It has different categories including websites, applications, podcasts, social media and ads. Since its inception, it has progressively expanded its judging panel to include big names in tech, business, entertainment and media. 

Its inclusion of prominent influencers and social media pioneers aligns with its recognition of the rise of social media and digital journalism. But, there’s more—it also indicates that notable online personalities and journalists are essential for a balanced judging panel.     

It’s important to check media houses when looking for awards program judges. Media professionals such as journalists know and understand industry trends. Influencers, bloggers and content creators also fall into this category. Engaging them ensures that evaluation criteria recognise prevailing industry patterns. 

They can add authenticity to your awards program, make it more appealing to younger demographics and evaluate each entry from a cultural standpoint. Since they have significant visibility, their involvement can also help amplify the awards program and boost its reach.

The value of an award is strongly tied to who measures it. Finding creditable and trustworthy awards program judges will help you start your awards on the right footing, and build a strong reputation for your program.