MEED Awards

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

Timeline

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1^st April– Open entries
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1^st July – Entries deadline
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19^th August - 2^nd September - Round 1 judging
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2^nd September - Finalists announcement
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27^th September - 1^st October - Round 2 judging
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25^th November – MEED Awards gala dinner and ceremony

Categories and Entry Forms

Projects Categories

Architectural/Design Firm of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Bank/ Financial Institution of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Business Innovation of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license
The judges will look at how each individual company implemented their innovation, the reasons behind it. Include tangible evidence, YOY statistics, case studies and testimonials.
Consultant of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Contractor of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Developer of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Energy Company of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Female Leader of the Year
The judges will look for the leader who can demonstrate examples of excellent business leadership in empowering her employees, leadership approach, a successful existing and future growth plan and how her successful leadership has had a direct result on the success of their business. The Leader must be based in the GCC.
- demonstrate examples of excellent business leadership in empowering her employees
- leadership approach
- successful existing and future growth plan
- how her successful leadership has had a direct result on the success of their business.
Healthcare Company of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Hospitality Company of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Law Firm of the Year

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

The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Logistics/ Transport Company of the Year

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

The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Male Leader of the Year

Open to all male employees of a companies with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).

The judges will look for the male leader who can demonstrate examples of excellent business leadership in empowering his employees, leadership approach, a successful existing and future growth plan and how his successful leadership has had a direct result on the success of their business. The leader must be based in the GCC.
Manufacturer/ Supplier of the Year

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

The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Oil & Gas/ Petchems Company of the Year

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

The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Renewables Company of the Year

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

The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.
Rising Star of the Year

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

It will be the young leaders of today – the chief executives of tomorrow – who will be the ones sustainably improving growth in the GCC. We will seek to celebrate those who are already making change happen – the ones who are taking brave decisions, and asking important questions – and who are simultaneously preparing to deliver excellence. We will recognise the influencers of today, and the senior leaders of tomorrow. (Open to Rising Stars 35 years or under and based in the GCC).
Sustainability Initiative of the Year

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

The judges will look at how each individual company implemented their initative, the reasons behind it. Include tangible evidence, YOY statistics, case studies and testimonials.
Technology Company of the Year

Open to all companies, with an office in the GCC (must have current trade license).
The judges will look at how each individual company can show evidence of business achievements, sustainability programmes, workforce culture, innovative practices, and client service in delivering the region’s ambitious projects programme.