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!
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.
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.
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.
“Every year we see new examples of successful entrepreneurs. This year we have seen a lot of new success stories, and these represent successful SME’s in the region.”
Its always good to recognize good effort. The award is the best way to show them that we recognize their hard work and they are on the right track.
The presentations are really magnificent on different topics of businesses. It shows that the entire region is heading towards the right direction.
“The quality of the participants were very impressive. It was hard for us to normalize the score and to provide the right feedback for all of them”
“There was a terrific pool of candidates who were innovative and all very focused on what they were doing. They were great group of examples of entrepreneurs operating in the region. People will be very impressed by looking at the work of the ones who will be declared as winners on the day of the ceremony”
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?
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.
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