PIONEERING THE FUTURE BY EMPOWERING THE VISIONARIES OF TODAY

The region is in a period of change.


For decades the GCC’s incredible growth story has been driven by the government.  The challenge now is about preparing the economies for a world without oil. As the government retracts, the private sector will emerge as the primary driver of growth to keep the region’s success story moving forward.


The shift from an oil driven, investment led economy to a knowledge based, productivity led market represents a fundamental change in the business landscape. The future economic model for the region will be highly productive, agile and provide high value careers for the regions young people. To achieve such a fundamental change in the region's economic model requires the commitment and the ambition of people and companies who will embrace disruptive technologies, who can work in ways different from the past and are fully committed to driving excellence in everything that they do.


This new era will be defined by companies who meticulously structure their vision and mission around the four pillars of modern corporate strategy – people, diversification, society and sustainability. The MEED Awards 2020 aims to support these companies by recognizing and celebrating their incredible achievements and the key individuals behind them. The aim of the awards is also to empower and encourage companies to participate in a conversation that sets new standards for best practices in the GCC.


For 62 years the Middle East Economic Digest, MEED, has been supporting and enabling the future success of the region and development of its people by providing news, data, insight and analysis delivered to our GCC wide communities in print, online and in person.  Now in its third edition, the MEED Awards continue to support the relentless effort of the pioneers and leaders of the GCC who are challenging traditional business norms and steering the future of the region into unimaginable domains.

Watch the MEED Awards 2019 judging highlights video!

Why Enter

The awards process from entry through to post-event coverage is your opportunity not just to join a community of like-minded professionals but to also be a part of a vital conversation. At varying stages of the awards cycle you can expect to…

1. Improve employee motivation and engagement: awards are a fantastic way to acknowledge the hard work of your employees and recognise your industry partnerships or collaborations. A very visible way of showcasing teams and individuals alongside their skills and expertise.

2. Customer recognition: a fantastic way to enrich your relationship with the client and improve retention. Sharing the story of your joint activity shows clients you value your relationship with them and believe that working together you can achieve great things.

3. Networking / Influencer marketing and business development: from judging through to the ceremony awards offer unprecedented access to the very upper echelons of the projects market c-suite influencers and decision makers.

4. Brand enhancement / endorsement: external reputational benefits from independent endorsement of your project adds immeasurable benefits. Moreover we closely manage and measure our PR coverage and reach offering a tangible return on investment when you taking part.

5. The opportunity to benchmark against your industry peers: Awards are the perfect platform to do this and represent an opportunity to take stock, benchmark your work and congratulate not just employees and clients, but the entire projects industry.

How to Enter?

Step 1: Create an online account here

Step 2: Choose your category (ies) There are 19 categories in total and there is no limit to the number of these you may enter

Step 3: Complete your entry form and pay the entry fee. Following the criteria guidelines, complete your entry response and upload any relevant supporting material/links and pay the entry fee. Prices below are exclusive of VAT:

1 entry = $ 300

2 entries = $ 550

3 entries = $ 750

4 entries = $ 900

5 entries = $ 1000

 

Make sure you provide yourself enough time to think and not rush your response.

Step 4: Submit your entry

Entries are now open for the 2020 MEED Awards. Here are some guidelines on what judges typically look for in an awards entry.

Ultimately it’s about focus, and answering questions in a clear and concise way. It's about accuracy. And it's about standing out.

Here’s what you need to do:

Be honest
No organisation or individual is perfect and sometimes the best test is how problems are addressed, so don’t be afraid to highlight how issues have been tackled.

Include supporting evidence
Make it easy for the judges to make sense of your entry. One way of doing this is to provide context and background. In addition, facts, figures, charts and tables can improve your awards entry; be sure to submit the right kind of facts and figures.

Know the rules
Review the categories, criteria and pillars for 2020 and read the terms and conditions before submitting your entry.

Tell judges why you were successful
For every objective provide clear, sourced results and provide context for judges to judge those results and objectives.

Start today!
You should start filling in an application form sooner rather than later. A rushed last minute entry will not necessarily reflect on your business as well as a considered one.

Proofread
Have a few of your colleagues read your case through before submitting to be sure all the elements are there and without typos and you have addressed all questions those unfamiliar with your brand may have after reading the draft. Ask them to give you honest feedback about the length and the jargon. Judges appreciate cases that are not overinflated and that are clear and simple.

Testimonials from your employees/ clients
This is the best form of evidence you can show the judges for any awards programme.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Timelines and key dates in 2020

Categories and Entry Forms

  • Architectural/Design Firm of the Year

  • Bank/ Financial Institution of the Year

  • Business Innovation of the Year

  • Consultant of the Year

  • Contractor of the Year

  • Developer of the Year

  • Energy Company of the Year

  • Female Leader of the Year

  • Healthcare Company of the Year

  • Hospitality Company of the Year

  • Law Firm of the Year

  • Logistics/ Transport Company of the Year

  • Male Leader of the Year

  • Manufacturer/ Supplier of the Year

  • Oil & Gas/ Petchems Company of the Year

  • Renewables Company of the Year

  • Rising Star of the Year

  • Sustainability Initiative of the Year

  • Technology Company of the Year

2019 Judges

Adrian Lindon

Managing Director, Design and Engineering

Atkins

Adrienne Doolan

Chief Executive Officer

Green Touches

Alyza Beg

Group Head – Corporate Affairs

Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group

Professor Ammar Kaka

Provost & Vice Principal

Heriot Watt University, Dubai Campus

Aymen Hachaichi

Vice President - Corporate Banking

APICORP

Barry Wormald

Director of Building Performance

AESG

Beenish Haider

Head of Corporate and Commercial Division

The Legal Group (TLG)

Brigitte van Kwikkelberghe

Managing Partner

flow2thrive

Cheryl Thornton

Regional Head of People – UK, South Asia & Middle East

The Fred Hollows Foundation

David Haboubi

Head of Nuclear, Middle East

SNC - Lavalin/Atkins

Eileen Hill

MENA Regional Manager

Chartered Institute of Building

Eman Ismail

Former Advisor

Executive Council of Dubai Government

Govind Prathap

Founder and Chairman

Advalo International Solutions

Hari Kesavan

Founder, Vice Chairman & Chief Digital Officer

Hyjiya Digital Wellness Fzco

Iman Dawoud

Associate Managing Director

Nardello & Co.

Islam Adra

Regional HSE Manager - MENAT

Fortive

Joseph Anis

President & CEO, Power Services, Middle East & Africa

GE Power

Lisa Kamin

Strategy and Marketing Head for Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sales

Siemens

Lucy Harvey

Managing Director, MENA

H+K Strategies

Mark Jamieson

Managing Director – Project Management International (PMI)

KEO International Consultants – Abu Dhabi

2019 Sponsors

Testimonials

FAQs

What are the key dates for the MEED Awards 2019?

1st August – Open entries

Entries closing soon – Entries deadline

6th October - 17th October - Round 1 judging

20th October - Finalist announcement

3rd - 14th November - Round 2 judging

27th November – MEED Awards gala dinner and ceremony

Who can enter?

• Achievements must have been made between 1st Jan 2018 and 31st December 2018 and can be submitted by any organisations operating within the GCC.

• Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license)

Why enter?

  1. Win more work by showcasing your innovative, high quality products and services to our sponsors, judges and the wider community of business professionals that we access
  2. Publicity and brand awareness through an established PR and marketing campaign that achieves a PR value of $897,127 we ensure that you get a real boost. Finalists will be named in our Press Releases and on the night the regional media will be in attendance to interview the ultimate winners
  3. Network the MEED network is unrivalled and offers the chance to meet peers, advisors and potential investors
  4. Learn in participating you join a community of passionate, likeminded peers and advisors, through face to face judging and the awards ceremony connect and learn from professionals who understand the challenges that GCC businesses face and can help unlock opportunity
  5. Celebrate all your hard work. This is a moment to bring teams, stakeholders and often family together to celebrate your achievements so far
  6. Benchmarking gain non-biased external validation and verification of your ideas and business

How can I enter?

Please register online by clicking on "SUBMIT/MANAGE YOUR ENTRIES" on the main menu bar. You can also click here to register.

Following your registration, you will be able to author entries for the relevant categories on behalf your company. Work in progress can be saved and you can submit the entries once completed.

If you have any questions on the process or need clarification on the questions, please email us at awards@meed.com

How do I choose the best category for an entry?

Each category drop-down includes a short description. However, we have analysed the completed projects within the eligibility time period and are ready to help you select your category should you need it. Do not hesitate to contact us at awards@meed.com.

What is the entry fee?

Prices below are exclusive of VAT:
1 entry = $ 300
2 entries = $ 550
3 entries = $ 750
4 entries = $ 900
5 entries = $ 1000

Why is there an entry fee?

The entry fee is an administration fee charged to cover any judging expenses and ensure entrants are committed to the entry and judging process.

Who are the judges of the MEED Awards?

Take a look at judges from previous years and see the 2019 panel as they are recruited by clicking here

What is the judging process?

Step 1 – please complete your written entry
Step 2 – first round judging identifies our finalists
Step 3 – finalists are invited to present in person to our judging panel
Step 4 – judges scores and the ultimate winners are independently audited by our partners Grant Thornton

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Contact Us

REQUEST AN ENTRY CONSULTATION:

Please fill out the below details for us to get in touch:

For general enquiries, entry and registration queries: awards@meed.com

For marketing, partnership, and sponsorship enquiries: zainab.poonawala@meed.com