2024 Entry Guide
To enter the 2024 Canadian Event Awards, follow this step-by-step guide. Click the “Enter Now” button at the top right of the page to begin your entry. Inside the entry portal, you’ll find a user-friendly drop-down style entry system designed to simplify navigation and standardize the data, aiding the judges in their evaluations.
If your company has entered before, we recommend a thorough review of the documentation to ensure familiarity with the rules, criteria, and entry requirements. Additionally, it’s a good idea to read the requirements before you start creating your entry.
Registration
The entry portal is open and has two important deadlines: the early bird deadline to register and save on entry fees is February 18, 2024, and the final submission deadline which is at midnight PST on March 5, 2024. Please ensure that your entry is completed and submitted before the deadline on Wednesday, March 5, 2024.
Click here to start your entry. Upon your arrival at the portal, you will complete the entry form and selecting your award categories. It is crucial to include the email address for all correspondence and specify the name of the individual you wish to be identified in all publicly released materials related to your entry. If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your superior or a colleague, kindly input their name in the entry form.
Decide What To Enter
Ensure that the category you select directly aligns with your role in the event (e.g., if you enter “Best Food Presentation,” you must be the caterer, not a contractor). For “Best Wedding,” you must be responsible for planning every aspect you submit. You cannot include the entire wedding if you were only involved in planning the reception.
Multiple Entries: You can submit the same event in various categories. However, a separate entry must be completed for each category, with content tailored accordingly. Note that duplicating an entry and only altering the title will be disadvantageous during the judging process. Please select all the relevant categories you wish to enter and include details for any joint entrants you want to be recognized on your submission.
Payment
After completing the registration form, selecting your categories, and including any joint entries, you will proceed to submission and payment. If you are entering on behalf of another company for the same award, this is considered a JOINT ENTRY.
To include joint entrants, you must choose the “ADD Joint Entry” option and add it to your order for each entrant listed on your applications during registration. For example, if you have yourself and two others who wish to be listed, you should select two joint entries, not three.
Upon submission, you will receive an email containing a unique PIN. With this PIN, you can revisit your entry portal and “assign” your joint entrants to the specific categories you want to include in your entry.
Confirmation & Pin
- Your unique PIN should arrive in your inbox within 15 minutes. You can utilize this PIN to access your portal and submit your events.
- All the selected categories will be linked and listed in your portal for you to fill out. If you notice any discrepancies or if anything is missing, please contact us via the chat button. We will promptly address errors by adjusting your entry selection within the portal.
- Please note that we cannot make any further changes once you have finalized and submitted your entries. Therefore, please review your entries thoroughly and ensure you are satisfied with the content before clicking “complete and submit.
How To Prepare For Your Entry
The Canadian Event Awards represent the pinnacle of excellence in our industry, and our judging process is designed to be thorough and insightful. We believe each entry should give the judges a comprehensive understanding of your event, from inception to execution, including your challenges and ultimate success. Winning a Canadian Event Award is a testament to your commitment to excellence.
Here’s a breakdown of what you may be required to include in your entry, depending on the category:
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Budgets: Only include budget details if the category specifically requests it. Rest assured that budget information is treated with the utmost confidentiality and will never be published.
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Reference Letters and Recommendations: If mandated by the category, be prepared to provide reference letters or letters of recommendation that support your entry.
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Menus: Required in some categories include menus if applicable to your submission.
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Visuals: Include photos and videos as specified in the category criteria. These visual elements are essential for judges to gain insights into your work.
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Website Links: If your event has an associated website that adds value to your entry, include relevant links.
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Extended Description: Provide a detailed description of your event or event element. Use this space to narrate your story, challenges, and achievements.
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300-Word Summary: Craft a concise 300-word summary in the third person. This summary will be published and should offer readers a clear and brief overview of your event.
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Supporting Materials: If the category calls for supporting materials, such as critical paths, planning documents, floor plans, media brochures, social media posts, or audio files, include them as necessary.
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Videos: If your entry involves video content, ensure it is accessible via Vimeo or Vimeo. Please do not upload video files directly. If your entry is nominated, we may request the actual video file or excerpts for the awards show.
In addition to these materials, be prepared to answer questions related to your event. These questions may vary depending on the category and can encompass topics such as your inspiration, creativity, risk management, design choices, logistical planning, and more. Your responses will provide the judges with valuable insights into the nuances of your event, further strengthening your entry’s chances of receiving a Canadian Event Award.
Key Dates & Deadlines
- November 15, 2023: The entry portal opens.
- February 18, 2024: The early-bird entry deadline is midnight PST.
- March 5, 2024: The final entry deadline is midnight PST.
- March 2024: Nominees will be announced online and contacted for further comments and interviews.
- May 8, 2024: Winners will be announced live at the Canadian Event Awards gala
- July 2024: A post-event “lookbook” will be released nationwide in June featuring the winners, and winning entries will have the opportunity to be featured in an upcoming issue of Canadian Special Events Magazine.
Rules & Guidelines
- All entries /events must have occurred between December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023.
- A separate entry must be submitted for each event.
- Joint entrants listed on the entry must be registered.
- All entries judged by dollar value must include a detailed budget. All budgets must be in retail pricing (the total amount the client was billed).
- Budgets are never displayed and are kept confidential except to the judges.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- There is no limit to the number of submissions – additional categories will incur additional entry fees.
- No advance notice of winners will be provided under any circumstances.
- NOTE: Entries become the property of Canadian Special Events and may be published in Canadian Special Event publications or their associated websites. Unless otherwise instructed, event images and a copy may be used to promote the Event Awards.
- Winners receive digital badges which cannot be altered or transferred.
- Any of the stories, entry images or entrant content found on our website cannot be copied, downloaded or shared without express permission by CSE & the entrant. Contact us for media inquiries.
- The awards are open to any Canadian company with offices in Canada. Events may have taken place anywhere in the world or online.
The Judging Process
The Canadian Event Industry Awards is one of the most demanding competitions globally, tailored for event professionals. Our meticulous judging process encompasses four distinct stages, ensuring each entry’s fair and rigorous evaluation.
Pre-screening: Following the close of the entry period, judges are diligently assigned to specific categories, minimizing potential conflicts of interest and ensuring a level playing field. This strategic assignment mitigates the possibility of judges gaining undue insights into competitors’ work.
First-Round Analysis: Judges embark on a comprehensive examination of the entries within their designated categories. Armed with a precise set of criteria, they meticulously evaluate each submission, scrutinizing its calibre and merit. Their evaluations culminate in selecting nominees with exceptional excellence in their respective categories.
Scoring and Tallying: Judges assign scores to entries based on the established criteria. Our dedicated judging system processes and tallies these scores internally, ensuring objectivity and accuracy in the assessment process.
Finalist Determination: Once the initial judging phase concludes and the finalists are announced, a second round of judging ensues. In this phase, judges independently evaluate the finalists to identify the ultimate category winners.
Our esteemed panel of judges comprises a diverse cross-section of industry experts, each contributing knowledge and experience to the evaluation process. Their dedication to maintaining the highest standards of fairness and impartiality guarantees that the Canadian Event Industry Awards honour excellence with the utmost integrity.
Prizes & Promotions
- All finalists receive a digital ad for sharing on social media and their website to promote their nomination. Winners receive an official badge.
- Finalists will be featured on canadianspecialevents.com and canadianeventawards.com, along with social media posts and shoutouts.
- Winners receive up to $10,000 in marketing credits with CSE to use on advertising.
- Winners will be featured in Canadian Special Events Magazine.
- Winners and finalists may be contacted for comments, quotes or interviews.
2024 Canadian Event Awards Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration at the prestigious Canadian Event Awards Gala. This exquisite black-tie dinner and awards ceremony is a highlight in the calendar of Canada’s event industry, attracting the nation’s foremost event professionals. Secure your tickets now and be part of an extraordinary evening that recognizes and elevates the best in Canadian events. Don’t wait; tickets always sell out.
