Award Force blog Articles Search for: Select type Articles Ebooks Feature focus How to guides Press releases Product updates Webinars Articles Award Force 2025 by the numbers: A look back at a standout year Dec 10, 2025Every year brings new milestones for the awards community, and this year was no exception. Our clients around the globe continued to innovate, expand and elevate their recognition efforts. Here, at Award Force, we’ve had the privilege of supporting these achievements while also strengthening our platform with exciting new features to help our clients run exceptional, streamlined awards. 6 Award trends that will make a difference in 2026 Dec 2, 2025Which trends will shape award management in 2026, and how can you prepare your program now? Here are six developments set to make a significant impact in the awards industry in 2026. Intentional AI: The safeguard for intelligent awards management Dec 1, 2025Modern AI is not inherently “good” or “bad”; it’s simply powerful. And when you work in the business of awards, the smart AI move becomes obvious: Intelligence should never be assumed; it should be activated with intent. 5 Benefits of eliminating paperwork with a cloud-based accreditation system Nov 27, 2025Transitioning to a cloud-based accreditation system offers a powerful opportunity to eliminate paperwork and streamline your entire accreditation workflow. Here’s a look at the benefits. How awards drive innovation and scientific progress Nov 13, 2025Awards programs play a vital role in driving scientific and technological progress by fostering competition, collaboration and experimentation, amplifying new ideas, validating research, and attracting both funding and talent. By celebrating innovation and setting evolving standards of excellence, they inspire continued discovery and help shape the future direction of science. How to structure a portfolio assessment for fair and consistent judging Nov 6, 2025Recognising excellence, whether in education, design, film, photography, art or other disciplines, often requires evaluating the entrant’s complete body of work. Portfolio assessment captures the depth and evolution of their competence and contributions over time, acknowledging sustained quality and encouraging entrants to reflect, curate and present their work. How to keep your awards program fresh year after year Oct 28, 2025Awards programs need to stay relevant, engaging and exciting as times change. Staying fresh ensures that your program is aligned with real-world advancements. It sustains community engagement and strengthens brand reputation. The hidden costs of running an awards program (and how to avoid them) Oct 15, 2025As an awards manager, it’s typical to wonder how much it costs to run an awards program. It’s crucial to note that while some costs are expected and planned for, there are others that are harder to predict. Build your cybersecurity habits like an exercise routine: small actions, every day Oct 13, 2025Cybersecurity is more like fitness than you think. We all know the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” It’s a reminder that small, everyday habits, not grand one-off actions, are what keep us healthy in the long run. Why nomination software is the secret to a seamless awards program Oct 7, 2025For awards program managers, the nomination stage often sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s where participants first engage with your program and where credibility, fairness and efficiency are put to the test. Award Force: The game-changing software behind Canada’s top awards Sep 25, 2025Awards managers in Canada are working to maintain stellar quality and overall participant experience as their awards programs grow. The best way to effectively scale your awards program is to use award management software to streamline operations. Award Force is the answer. Sustainable recognition: Eco-friendly ideas for rewarding employees in 2025 Sep 10, 2025Employee recognition can extend beyond appreciating employees for their efforts. Building sustainability into your employee recognition programs is a powerful way to celebrate your employees and invest in the planet. 5 Features to look for in photo judging software before your next contest Sep 3, 2025The right photo judging software can make all the difference, helping you stay organised, save time and deliver a fair experience for participants and judges alike. Not all platforms are created equal, though. Before you launch your next contest, it’s worth knowing what to look for so you don’t end up with more headaches than solutions. Beyond the prize: How to build a thriving alumni network for awardees Aug 26, 2025Handing out prizes to award winners doesn’t have to mean goodbye. There’s a valuable opportunity to stay connected to your awardees and expand the impact of your awards program in the post-award period. One way to maximise this opportunity is by establishing a robust and engaging alumni network for your awardees. The ultimate guide to managing external judges: From recruitment to thank-you notes Aug 14, 2025Judges and reviewers are undoubtedly an indispensable part of many awards programs and contests. Good judges can boost a program’s credibility, provide specialised knowledge and expertise, and build integrity into the decision-making process. Given all the positives judges bring to an award program, it’s incredibly important to keep judges happy, and manage their participation effectively. Building a strong competition judging panel: Diversity, expertise and engagement Aug 13, 2025The quality of a judging panel can define a competition’s reputation, shaping both its credibility and the value people place on it. Exceptional judges bring diverse perspectives, thoughtful analysis and a commitment that ensures fairness, consistency and long-term integrity. Why more organisations are investing in awards management software Jul 29, 2025Managing awards programs used to mean juggling spreadsheets, emails and a patchwork of tools—but those days are quickly fading. The awards management software market is booming, valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and projected to grow by another USD 1.3 billion by 2033. This rapid growth signals a clear shift: more organisations are turning to dedicated platforms to streamline how they run awards, prizes, competitions and recognition programs. The lifecycle of a contest: From call for entries to winner announcement Jul 21, 2025Contests can be incredibly versatile for your brand. They can help build awareness, grow your business, drive revenue and facilitate innovation in your industry. Managing a contest requires some effort, as the program runs through its various stages from planning to execution and follow-up. Learn about the different stages of a contest lifecycle and how Award Force supports each one. How to create an inclusive awards experience for a global audience Jul 3, 2025 Honouring accomplishments across borders is a good way to give your awards participants rare international visibility and networking opportunities. By bringing together diverse talent, audience and perspectives, global awards programs can facilitate cross-cultural inspiration and set higher benchmarks for excellence worldwide. Why award management software is essential for scaling your Australian awards program Jun 25, 2025If you’re keen on running an excellent awards program in Australia, it’s important to prioritise scaling it. This means growing entrant and participant rates, expanding the demographics and geographic areas involved and ultimately improving the quality and impact on the Australian community. « Older Entries Next Entries »
Award Force 2025 by the numbers: A look back at a standout year Dec 10, 2025Every year brings new milestones for the awards community, and this year was no exception. Our clients around the globe continued to innovate, expand and elevate their recognition efforts. Here, at Award Force, we’ve had the privilege of supporting these achievements while also strengthening our platform with exciting new features to help our clients run exceptional, streamlined awards.
6 Award trends that will make a difference in 2026 Dec 2, 2025Which trends will shape award management in 2026, and how can you prepare your program now? Here are six developments set to make a significant impact in the awards industry in 2026.
Intentional AI: The safeguard for intelligent awards management Dec 1, 2025Modern AI is not inherently “good” or “bad”; it’s simply powerful. And when you work in the business of awards, the smart AI move becomes obvious: Intelligence should never be assumed; it should be activated with intent.
5 Benefits of eliminating paperwork with a cloud-based accreditation system Nov 27, 2025Transitioning to a cloud-based accreditation system offers a powerful opportunity to eliminate paperwork and streamline your entire accreditation workflow. Here’s a look at the benefits.
How awards drive innovation and scientific progress Nov 13, 2025Awards programs play a vital role in driving scientific and technological progress by fostering competition, collaboration and experimentation, amplifying new ideas, validating research, and attracting both funding and talent. By celebrating innovation and setting evolving standards of excellence, they inspire continued discovery and help shape the future direction of science.
How to structure a portfolio assessment for fair and consistent judging Nov 6, 2025Recognising excellence, whether in education, design, film, photography, art or other disciplines, often requires evaluating the entrant’s complete body of work. Portfolio assessment captures the depth and evolution of their competence and contributions over time, acknowledging sustained quality and encouraging entrants to reflect, curate and present their work.
How to keep your awards program fresh year after year Oct 28, 2025Awards programs need to stay relevant, engaging and exciting as times change. Staying fresh ensures that your program is aligned with real-world advancements. It sustains community engagement and strengthens brand reputation.
The hidden costs of running an awards program (and how to avoid them) Oct 15, 2025As an awards manager, it’s typical to wonder how much it costs to run an awards program. It’s crucial to note that while some costs are expected and planned for, there are others that are harder to predict.
Build your cybersecurity habits like an exercise routine: small actions, every day Oct 13, 2025Cybersecurity is more like fitness than you think. We all know the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” It’s a reminder that small, everyday habits, not grand one-off actions, are what keep us healthy in the long run.
Why nomination software is the secret to a seamless awards program Oct 7, 2025For awards program managers, the nomination stage often sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s where participants first engage with your program and where credibility, fairness and efficiency are put to the test.
Award Force: The game-changing software behind Canada’s top awards Sep 25, 2025Awards managers in Canada are working to maintain stellar quality and overall participant experience as their awards programs grow. The best way to effectively scale your awards program is to use award management software to streamline operations. Award Force is the answer.
Sustainable recognition: Eco-friendly ideas for rewarding employees in 2025 Sep 10, 2025Employee recognition can extend beyond appreciating employees for their efforts. Building sustainability into your employee recognition programs is a powerful way to celebrate your employees and invest in the planet.
5 Features to look for in photo judging software before your next contest Sep 3, 2025The right photo judging software can make all the difference, helping you stay organised, save time and deliver a fair experience for participants and judges alike. Not all platforms are created equal, though. Before you launch your next contest, it’s worth knowing what to look for so you don’t end up with more headaches than solutions.
Beyond the prize: How to build a thriving alumni network for awardees Aug 26, 2025Handing out prizes to award winners doesn’t have to mean goodbye. There’s a valuable opportunity to stay connected to your awardees and expand the impact of your awards program in the post-award period. One way to maximise this opportunity is by establishing a robust and engaging alumni network for your awardees.
The ultimate guide to managing external judges: From recruitment to thank-you notes Aug 14, 2025Judges and reviewers are undoubtedly an indispensable part of many awards programs and contests. Good judges can boost a program’s credibility, provide specialised knowledge and expertise, and build integrity into the decision-making process. Given all the positives judges bring to an award program, it’s incredibly important to keep judges happy, and manage their participation effectively.
Building a strong competition judging panel: Diversity, expertise and engagement Aug 13, 2025The quality of a judging panel can define a competition’s reputation, shaping both its credibility and the value people place on it. Exceptional judges bring diverse perspectives, thoughtful analysis and a commitment that ensures fairness, consistency and long-term integrity.
Why more organisations are investing in awards management software Jul 29, 2025Managing awards programs used to mean juggling spreadsheets, emails and a patchwork of tools—but those days are quickly fading. The awards management software market is booming, valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and projected to grow by another USD 1.3 billion by 2033. This rapid growth signals a clear shift: more organisations are turning to dedicated platforms to streamline how they run awards, prizes, competitions and recognition programs.
The lifecycle of a contest: From call for entries to winner announcement Jul 21, 2025Contests can be incredibly versatile for your brand. They can help build awareness, grow your business, drive revenue and facilitate innovation in your industry. Managing a contest requires some effort, as the program runs through its various stages from planning to execution and follow-up. Learn about the different stages of a contest lifecycle and how Award Force supports each one.
How to create an inclusive awards experience for a global audience Jul 3, 2025 Honouring accomplishments across borders is a good way to give your awards participants rare international visibility and networking opportunities. By bringing together diverse talent, audience and perspectives, global awards programs can facilitate cross-cultural inspiration and set higher benchmarks for excellence worldwide.
Why award management software is essential for scaling your Australian awards program Jun 25, 2025If you’re keen on running an excellent awards program in Australia, it’s important to prioritise scaling it. This means growing entrant and participant rates, expanding the demographics and geographic areas involved and ultimately improving the quality and impact on the Australian community.