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Reflecting on Awards Season

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Reflecting on Awards Season

Awards Season: Time to Think Again

Did your association nominate itself for any awards this year? Did you win? Maybe you hosted an awards ceremony for your members.

Now that the dust has settled on this year’s awards, it’s time to reflect. Were your awards as impactful as they could have been? Let’s break it down.

1. What Were Your Objectives?

Before diving into logistics and execution, take a step back—why did you host an awards ceremony in the first place?

  • To bring the community together?

  • To raise the profile of your association?

  • To raise the profile of your sector?

  • To celebrate excellence?

If your answer is “because we’ve always done it,” it’s time to rethink your approach. Awards should have a clear purpose that aligns with your association’s broader goals.

2. Did You Maximise PR and Social Media?

An awards event isn’t just about the night itself—it’s a golden opportunity for visibility and engagement.

  • Did you encourage your members to tag their posts and amplify the event?

  • Did you have trade press in attendance to cover the winners and key moments?

  • Did you have a media and social strategy in place before, during, and after the event?

If your answer is “we didn’t have a strategy,” you’re missing a big opportunity to extend your event’s reach and impact.

3. How Did the Financials Stack Up?

While awards celebrate excellence, they can also be a significant revenue driver.

  • Did your event turn a profit?

  • Did you sell out?

  • Did you negotiate effectively with suppliers and contractors to optimise costs?

If your answer is “we don’t do awards to make money,” think again. A well-planned awards program can fund future initiatives, enhance member benefits, and strengthen your association’s financial position.

Time to Review Your Awards Strategy

Awards bring your sector together and recognise its achievements, but they should also be a strategic asset for your association. If you’re not making the most of them, let's reassess.

At Hexagon, we offer impartial reviews of awards, receptions, and events to help associations maximise their effectiveness—for their members and their bottom line. You can make next year’s awards bigger, better, and more impactful.

Awards Season: Time to Think Again

Did your association nominate itself for any awards this year? Did you win? Maybe you hosted an awards ceremony for your members.

Now that the dust has settled on this year’s awards, it’s time to reflect. Were your awards as impactful as they could have been? Let’s break it down.

1. What Were Your Objectives?

Before diving into logistics and execution, take a step back—why did you host an awards ceremony in the first place?

  • To bring the community together?

  • To raise the profile of your association?

  • To raise the profile of your sector?

  • To celebrate excellence?

If your answer is “because we’ve always done it,” it’s time to rethink your approach. Awards should have a clear purpose that aligns with your association’s broader goals.

2. Did You Maximise PR and Social Media?

An awards event isn’t just about the night itself—it’s a golden opportunity for visibility and engagement.

  • Did you encourage your members to tag their posts and amplify the event?

  • Did you have trade press in attendance to cover the winners and key moments?

  • Did you have a media and social strategy in place before, during, and after the event?

If your answer is “we didn’t have a strategy,” you’re missing a big opportunity to extend your event’s reach and impact.

3. How Did the Financials Stack Up?

While awards celebrate excellence, they can also be a significant revenue driver.

  • Did your event turn a profit?

  • Did you sell out?

  • Did you negotiate effectively with suppliers and contractors to optimise costs?

If your answer is “we don’t do awards to make money,” think again. A well-planned awards program can fund future initiatives, enhance member benefits, and strengthen your association’s financial position.

Time to Review Your Awards Strategy

Awards bring your sector together and recognise its achievements, but they should also be a strategic asset for your association. If you’re not making the most of them, let's reassess.

At Hexagon, we offer impartial reviews of awards, receptions, and events to help associations maximise their effectiveness—for their members and their bottom line. You can make next year’s awards bigger, better, and more impactful.