How To Choose The Right Award For Your Events And Competitions

Organizing any event or competition involves myriad decisions right from the selection of the venue to designing the schedule of the program. Among these, choosing the right award is often underestimated, though this decision is vital in enhancing the overall experience and ensuring the achievement of the event's objectives. Whether it is a corporate award ceremony, a sports tournament, or a creative competition, the awarding should be appropriate to meet event goals and resonate with your audience. This article covers the selection of perfect awards for events and competitions, including how to understand different types of awards, ways to set selection criteria, and how awards may be used to enhance event experiences.

What is an Award?

An award is a recognition given to an individual, group, or organization in celebration of achievements, contributions, or excellence in certain fields or activities. Basically, awards are presented in events or ceremonies not just to commemorate such achievements but also to serve as an encouragement to others. They could be in the form of trophies, plaques, medals, certificates, cash awards, and customized items and very often represent prestige, honour, and achievement.

Awards may be given for various reasons:

1. Excellence Rewarded: Awards are a form of recognition for phenomenal performance, skill, or contribution in certain aspects such as sports, academics, arts, business, or community service.
2. Motivation and Inspiration: The award will likely motivate recipients and other individuals to pursue excellence since a culture of excellence and continuous improvement will be created.
3. Reputation and Prestige: The award that has been received by a person or organization enhances their prestige through some form of social proof concerning their potential or achievements.
4. Participation Incentivization: Events or competitions could be encouraged through awards so that participants get recognition and rewards in some instances.

Understanding Different Kinds of Awards

Awards can come in so many forms, styles, and designs. The following is an overview of some of the most common types:

1. Trophies: Trophies are a classic option for sporting events, corporate recognition, and academic achievements. They could be manufactured from metal, glass, or crystal and customized to reflect the nature of the award-for instance, by having a figure that represents a particular sport or activity.
2. Plaques: Plaques are ideal for professional and academic achievements. Plaques provide a more low-key yet classy avenue of recognition. Most plaques, available in wood, metal, or glass, feature the name of the recipient, the title of the award, and the date it was given.
3. Medals: Medals are among the popular flexible Awards which can be used in sporting events, academic achievements, and service recognition. They are usually made of metals and can be personalized with event logos, text, and imagery. The Olympics is an example of a "Medal only" Event. 
4. Certificates: These are pretty affordable certificates, yet versatile for awards due to various contexts, ranging from employee recognition to educational achievements. They can be framed or presented in a folder for a more formal touch.
5. Monetary Prizes and Vouchers: For those competitions where motivation is so essential, like innovation challenges or sales contests, monetary prizes or vouchers serve the best. The reason is, that they provide very tangible value and are definitely more alluring, especially to younger participants or competitive events.
6. Custom Awards: These are awards made to order regarding the nature of an event or theme. They can be made from different materials and take various shapes which could depict the brand or mission of the event.

Category of Awards

1. Industry-Specific Awards: These are awards within certain niches in technology, finance, health care, and even entertainment. An industry-specific award would position you as the leader or an innovator in your trade.
2. Corporate Awards: These recognize businesses in various fields, such as customer service, sustainability, or innovation. Examples include the Sun Man of the Year or The Nigerian Banking Awards.
3. Creative and Cultural Awards: These are awarded for achievements in the arts, literature, design, and media. The Oscars, Grammys, and Nobel Prizes are some great examples of the same.
4. Academic and Research Awards: Accolades for outstanding research, academic performance, or education service.
5. Community and Social Impact Awards: It recognizes community service, philanthropy, and social causes. It underlines the impact beyond business achievement.

Benefits of Winning an Award

1. Increased Credibility: Awards surely help in building up your credibility and establishing you or your company as a leader or expert that people can trust.
2. Visibility: Most of the time, the announcement of winning or being nominated increases media coverage and creates a buzz on social media, raising public awareness.
3. Motivation and Recognition: Awards would mean recognition for individual and team effort and therefore help in motivating and improving morale within an organization.
4. Networking Opportunities: This allows for networking opportunities and increases visibility through award ceremonies and related events, allowing you to meet your peers in the industry influencers, and even potential partners or clients.

Criteria for Selecting the Right Award

The selection of an appropriate award may require consideration of a few key factors to help ensure it will suit your event's goals and add value to the participant experience. Key criteria to guide selection in the process include:

1. Event Type and Purpose: The event type and purpose will greatly influence the kind of award to be selected. A creative arts competition could make use of a uniquely designed sculpture, while an event from the corporate world might choose glass trophies or plaques with an elegant look.
2. Audience and Participants: Demographics and audience type can inform what the award looks like. The trendier and more unique the awards, the more appreciated they may be by younger participants; a more formal audience may appreciate traditional trophies or plaques.
3. Budget: The budget will, of course, have a big say in what awards you are capable of giving out. Custom awards obviously tend to be the more expensive option; however, they can be much more personal in nature and truly mean a great deal. Medals, certificates, and plaques may be cheaper alternatives.
4. Event Branding and Theme: The award must be designed to show the event's branding and theme. A design in harmony with the event's colours, logos, and the event's general outlook will make the event more memorable by improving its brand awareness.
5. Significance of the Award: The value of the award is something that has to be taken into consideration. High-value awards, such as crystal trophies or custom designs, usually used for major achievements, could be graded down to certificates or medals for minor accomplishments.
6. Long-term value and practicality: Will the award have long-lasting value to the receiver? Trophies and plaques are more often than not displayed and treasured by their owners for a long period, while more functional awards, like gift cards or vouchers, deliver immediate satisfaction.

Tips for Enhancing the Award Experience

1. Personalization: This can be done by personalizing the award to include the recipient's name, the undertaking achieved, and the date the event occurred. Awards personalized for individuals are more special and memorable, unlike some of those generic awards.
2. Presentation Matters: The act of presenting an award is an added value to the award itself. One can think of making the moment of presentation memorable through some unique announcement or from a peculiar stage that the presentation is done on. Spotlighting music or multi-media presentations can add a special touch.
3. Story or Background: Sharing briefly, either the story behind the award or what criteria constitute it, enhances perceived value. It may make the element of storytelling more relatable at an emotional level to the audience and recipients alike.
4. Publicity for Recognition: While the presentation itself may be a key part of the event, consider publishing a list of winners through event newsletters, social media, or local media. Sometimes this public recognition greatly increases the value of the award and further encourages participation at the next events.
5. Consider Unique or Novelty Awards: Thinking out of the box for some events with novelty awards can make them more memorable. For instance, a tech conference could give out a 3D-printed trophy in the shape of any tech gadget or innovation symbol.

Some Examples of Successful Award

• Nigeria National Honours Awards: These are the highest civilian awards in Nigeria. It recognizes outstanding services to the Nigerian nation, and the design and presentation reflect the national significance and the deep respect and honour this award bestows on an individual.
• The Headies: This is one of the most popular music award ceremonies in Nigeria, taking its time to award the different accomplishments in the Nigerian music industry. These usually come with an inclination to make it work out and rhyme with the vibrant and pulsating aspect of the music industry, often with unique designs with a cultural touch.
• The Oscar: Probably no other award's image is as well known as the Oscar. It is a symbol of the height of achievement in film due to being almost universally recognized. Its more than satisfactory design, perfect weight, and relative exclusivity have sealed its prestige and desirability.
• UEFA Champions League Trophy: By its distinctive design, it is one of the most famous trophies in European football. Its size, shape, and material suggest prestige; its presentation enhances its appeal.
• CAF Awards: The CAF Awards celebrate excellence in football on the African continent, rewarding the best players, coaches, and teams of the year. The trophies to be won are designed to reflect prestige and accomplishment in sport, with a strong focus on nurturing the spirit of the game and encouraging future generations.
• All Africa Music Awards - AFRIMA: These awards celebrate the richness of African music and culture. AFRIMA awards are uniquely designed, displaying African heritage and creativity, and are priceless to the artists as proof of recognition across the continent.
• Pulitzer Prize: Given for distinguished work in journalism, literature, and musical compositions.
• Red Dot Design Award: Pays for outstanding design quality in product, communication, and concepts.

Final Thought

Choosing the right award for your event or competition is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the success of your event. By understanding the different types of awards available, considering key selection criteria, and enhancing the presentation and personalization of the awards, you can create a memorable experience that celebrates achievement and inspires future participation. Whether your event is a corporate gathering, a community event, or an international competition, selecting the right awards will not only honour your recipients but also elevate the overall experience for everyone involved.