Building a strong competition judging panel: Diversity, expertise and engagement Aug 13, 2025 | ArticlesThe 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, 2025 | ArticlesManaging 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, 2025 | ArticlesContests 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 | Articles 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, 2025 | ArticlesIf 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.
How to attract high-quality awards entrants without a huge marketing budget Jun 12, 2025 | ArticlesThe calibre of your awards entrants can affect how your awards program is perceived. High-quality entrants signal to the public that your awards program has a high standard and garners respect. But, attracting exceptional award entrants doesn’t have to be expensive.
How to run a standout awards program in Australia: 5 tips for lasting impact Jun 5, 2025 | ArticlesWith hundreds of awards programs held across Australia each year, from local initiatives to national recognitions, it’s easy to see that celebrating excellence is woven into Australian culture. Whether recognising innovation, leadership, community impact or creativity, awards play a key role in showcasing achievements across every corner of the country.
How awards can elevate nonprofit impact and visibility May 29, 2025 | ArticlesThe power of recognition can’t be underestimated or overemphasised. While it often drives internal motivation, it can also accelerate external awareness—a vital currency for nonprofits. Awards can transform the journey of nonprofits by validating their efforts and building a bridge to new possibilities.
Why software accessibility is no longer optional: A guide on preparing for the European Accessibility Act May 27, 2025 | ArticlesImagine you were locked out of a software—not because you forgot the password, but because the product wasn’t designed with you in mind. Unfortunately, this is all too common for people with disabilities across the globe. In response, the European Union will enact new legislation on June 28, 2025, aimed at harmonising accessibility standards across the EU.
How to effectively measure the long-term impact of your awards program May 14, 2025 | ArticlesAn awards program is all about the recognition of others. But, it’s equally important to shine a spotlight back on your own program to evaluate its impact. How can you leverage your data to measure your program outcomes?
Could your awards program benefit from single transferable voting (STV)? May 7, 2025 | ArticlesIs your current judging method helping you fairly identify top candidates, or could it be working against you? Let’s discuss how a ranked-choice voting system, and more specifically, single transferable voting (STV) can help you celebrate different degrees of excellence and preference.
The ultimate pre-launch readiness quiz for awards managers Apr 29, 2025 | ArticlesThe stage is set and you’re ready to open your awards program for entry. You feel ready to recognise and celebrate excellence! But, wait! You also want to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything; that your entry form is ready, your judges have what they need and that the experience will run smoothly for all your participants. It’s the perfect time for a pre-launch check.
Celebrating sustainability: How awards programs can honour environmental achievements on Earth Day and beyond Apr 22, 2025 | ArticlesHappy Earth Day! Sustainability and conservation deserve to be celebrated and recognised across the globe, and an awards program is an ideal way to do that.
Choosing the right competition management software: Essential features to consider Apr 9, 2025 | ArticlesOrganising a competition involves careful planning and execution, including the management of registration, submission, communication and judging. Here are some fundamental features to consider when shopping.
How to effectively combine quantitative and qualitative judging in score-based awards assessment Apr 8, 2025 | ArticlesIt’s important to create a judging rubric that finds the best entries every time, and one that will use a combination of transparent numerical scoring with your judges’ expert opinions to pinpoint the best entries. One of the best ways to effectively do this is to combine both quantitative and qualitative scoring.
The psychology of winning: Why recognition matters now more than ever Apr 1, 2025 | ArticlesRegardless of the industry or space, appreciating people’s contributions has become a necessity in modern times. It can foster a vibrant culture, enhance performance and maintain excellence.
Enhancing the entrant experience: What makes a great submission journey? Mar 19, 2025 | ArticlesA fantastic entrance experience means putting the entrant at the forefront of your awards program design. From an engaging entry process to ease and accessibility, these features (or lack thereof) can make or break the submission journey.
6 Common pitfalls to avoid in awards program planning Mar 11, 2025 | ArticlesAwards program planning involves laying the groundwork for an engaging awards program. At this stage, awards managers decide what they hope to achieve with the program, how winners will be chosen, the logistics involved and much more. Since it involves many elements, it’s possible for awards managers to face some challenges.
5 Places to source expert judges for a successful awards program Mar 6, 2025 | ArticlesJudges are crucial to the success of your awards program, and 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.
How to launch a standout podcast awards program Feb 20, 2025 | ArticlesWith over four million podcasts and more than 546 million listeners worldwide, there’s no doubt the podcast industry is officially booming. As podcasting grows, so too does recognition within the community.