Set for success: The complete 2026 awards lifecycle planning guide

The beginning of the year is the perfect time for awards managers to map out the entire awards lifecycle.

A well thought-out schedule not only keeps your team organised, it also improves entrant experience, helps marketing teams plan outreach and communications, ensures judges have enough time to work and sets your program up for smoother growth each year.

Whether your awards run annually, biannually or continuously, having a defined plan for 2026 will remove undue stress and make your entire lifecycle operate more smoothly.

Every program has its own awards season calendar, but here is a guide to key dates and milestones to consider, with key actions you can adapt to your own awards program.

Q1: Strategic planning and pre-launch

The first quarter of the year offers a valuable opportunity to reflect and refine before the season begins. A significant amount of program success is determined during this period, before a single entry is even submitted.

Here are some key actions to consider:

• Review performance data and insights from last year’s program
• Update or refine categories, eligibility requirements and judging criteria
• Align with leadership on program goals and KPIs
• Refresh program messaging, branding and communications
• Finalise the marketing calendar for the upcoming launch
• Recruit and confirm judges
• Update and test your Award Force configuration (forms, categories, scoring, panels)
• Confirm sponsorship packages and benefits

This important planning stage can set the tone for the entire season and ensure you launch on a solid foundation.

Q2: Call for entries

With planning complete, it’s time to open the doors. Early, consistent communication makes a measurable difference in total submissions.

Here are some key actions to take:

• Announce the entry open date
• Launch your primary marketing push
• Open entries in Award Force
• Provide support resources (help guides, FAQs, onboarding webinars)
• Promote early-bird pricing, if applicable
• Monitor weekly entry volume to keep your pipeline healthy

A strong call for entries period helps build momentum and reduces last-minute pressure near the deadline.

Q3: Entry deadline and judging preparation and processes

If you program follows the calendar year, then mid-year is an important transition point between collecting entries and evaluating them. Clear planning in this stage prevents bottlenecks and keeps your judges happy.

Here are some key actions to consider:

• Send reminder campaigns leading up to the deadline
• Do a test run on your judging system
• Close entries, clearly communicating cut-off times
• Assign entries to judges
• Communicate with judges on scoring systems, criteria and how to log in to the system
• Open your judging round judging

This preparation ensures your evaluation phase runs smoothly, fairly and efficiently.

Q4: Results and celebration of excellence

This is the most visible stage of the awards lifecycle, the part entrants, sponsors and audiences remember most. It’s important to get this phase right, and leave your judges and entrants wanting to come back again next year.

Here are some key actions to consider:

• Validate scoring accuracy and resolve discrepancies
• Notify finalists and winners
• Prepare winner assets: badges, certificates and press kits
• Host the awards ceremony if applicable
• Capture impact: collect stories, testimonials and media coverage

A well-run celebration stage strengthens your brand and sets the stage for future growth.

Post-season review

Once winners have been announced and the season winds down, the focus shifts back to learning and improvement. A full circle moment.

Here are some key actions to take:

• Compile an end-of-season report
• Run debriefs with the team, judges and key partners
• Gather feedback from entrants
• Review performance against KPIs
• Adjust processes for next year

A structured review phase ensures your next cycle benefits from everything you learned this year. Get more tips on how to keep your program fresh, year after year.

Plan now, reap the awards success later

Now is the time to map out your 2026 awards lifecycle calendar. It’s one of the best ways to give your awards program a great chance of running smoothly, engaging participants and delivering winning outcomes.

A clearly defined awards lifecycle—from early planning to post-season review—will help your team stay aligned, reduce last-minute stress and create a better experience for both your entrants and judges. All so you can foster an awards program that continues to grow year after year.