by Bright Ewuru | Oct 17, 2024 | Articles
Running an awards program can be a very worthwhile endeavour for any association. From recognising the best in your industry to providing network opportunities and even driving revenue and support, an association awards program can offer many transformative benefits.
In this article, we go over some of these perks in depth, with a list of compelling reasons why running an awards program should be next on your association’s to-do list.
An awards program can offer your association more opportunities to generate revenue and support. Entry fees and ticket sales to the award ceremonies can contribute to your revenue stream.
Similarly, your association can receive funds from sponsors, who might be able to provide other valuable resources as well. Research shows that corporate partners want to be deeply involved with associations to set up impactful awards programs—they want to do more than write checks.
These partners can provide support through awards prizes or offer professional assistance to aid in designing or promoting the program.
Read more on how to attract sponsors and secure awards program sponsorship.
An awards program can be an excellent marketing channel and public relations (PR) tool. It can drive visibility and engagement for your association by attracting media attention. It can also reflect positively on the association by highlighting its mission and values.
A successful awards program outcome as well as its involvement with renowned judges and other industry experts can offer your association greater credibility and prestige. Showcasing products and services can stamp your association as the hub for novel ideas. It can also underscore your association’s role in championing progress in the industry.
It’s easy to generate content fodder from your awards program. Pictures and videos of submissions, awards events and gala photos can be shared online and across promotional materials. Interviews and feature stories from award winners and other nominees can be used to create compelling narratives about the program and your association. And, your association can repost user-generated content from awards participants.
Awards programs are also great for driving member engagement in your association. They foster interactions which strengthen community bonds and encourage collaboration among members. They also build loyalty as winners and nominees will likely become long-term members and advocates.
Likewise, awards ceremonies are a core part of awards programs; they offer the participants a chance to network and build connections.
Association awards work to acknowledge and applaud exceptional strides in your industry. This recognition instils a sense of pride in the winners and serves as motivation for the winners and other participants to strive for continuous improvement.
By rewarding standout entries and efforts, you reinforce or establish a standard that facilitates growth and innovation in the industry.
You can use an awards program to celebrate milestones and gauge your association’s progress and impact. Such a program can offer insight into the association’s story while providing proof of how the latter has positively influenced the industry and general society.
Awards are an ideal avenue to spotlight advancements in your industry. The entries can show the innovative ways people and organisations approach and address pressing issues in your industry.
Thinking of other strategic ways to grow your association’s membership?
Awards programs can boost your recruitment efforts by highlighting your position in the industry, attracting high performers who want to join a reputable association.
An exclusive awards program shows non-members the benefits they’re missing. Winners of the awards can become ambassadors for your association; their success stories can encourage non-members to join your association and drive membership.
From generating revenue and support to boosting your membership base, running an awards program can unlock many doors for your association and shine a spotlight on your impact on the industry while applauding and recognising excellence.
Ready to recognise excellence within your association? Award Force’s awards management software can help you create an amazing experience for all participants.
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