We regret to announce that due to the ongoing situation with the Coronavirus, the TA Best Practice Awards for 2020 have been cancelled. All entries received will be carried forward for the Awards in 2021.

Welcome to the Trade Association Forum’s TA Best Practice Awards 2020, the annual event formally supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that recognises, rewards and promotes best practice amongst Trade Associations in the UK.

Now in its eighteenth year, this prestigious award ceremony is eagerly anticipated by Trade Association Forum Members as a chance to showcase their hard work and achievements during the last 12 to 18 months.

Why should you enter?
Our industry recognised Awards are supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who are longstanding members of our independent Final Judging Panel. The Awards contribute to the success of trade associations and their staff at all levels within the trade association world and help bring them closer to fulfilling their goals, as well as contributing to their learning and development opportunities.

Receiving a Best Practice Award will not only ensure your organisation will have the kudos of being an award-winning organisation, but it will also be an excellent opportunity to showcase your organisation and its expertise amongst your contemporaries and encourage others to follow your lead on running a successful organisation which focuses on your members’ needs.

By entering, you can also benchmark your organisation against other UK trade associations, sharpen the focus of your organisation and its activities, learn from trade association best practice and just as importantly motivate and reward your colleagues.

Award Categories – £75 plus VAT per entry
BEIS Sector Representation of the Year
Commercial Initiative of the Year
Conference of the Year
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Event of the Year
Exhibition of the Year
Good Governance Award
Magazine of the Year
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Membership Engagement Award
Publication of the Year
Skills Development Award
Social Media Award
Website of the Year

Special Awards – FREE to enter
Others are invited to recommend associations and individuals for:

Young Achiever of the Year
The Miles Smith Insurance Group Leadership Award
The Miles Smith Insurance Group Outstanding Contribution Award
2020 Trade Association of the Year

BEIS Sector Representation of the Year – 750 word limit
The BEIS vision is an economy that works for everyone – so that there are great places in every part of the UK for people to work and for businesses to invest, innovate and grow.

To realise our vision we will:
• Deliver an ambitious Industrial Strategy
• Maximise investment opportunities and bolster UK interests
• Promote competitive markets and responsible business practices
• Ensure the UK has a reliable, low cost and clean energy system

We will support our objectives by investing in cutting–edge science, taking action to tackle carbon emissions and tailoring our interventions to the local needs and circumstances of UK consumers and businesses.

Trade Associations are key partners in the BIES strategy to help businesses succeed. They are a powerful voice in leading, championing and celebrating their sectors. They provide an important two- way channel of communication with Government, representing their member’s needs and aspirations and ensuring these are reflected as far as possible in public policy.

This award will be given to a Trade Association or an alliance of Trade Associations that, in the opinion of the judges, has led the best representative action for their sector during the previous year. The winning entry will showcase a successful initiative by a Trade Association to tackle an issue of importance to the future prosperity and growth of its members. BIES are looking in particular for evidence of effective partnership working which has harnessed the will and power of the sector to deliver something of importance both to the sector and Government. The winning entry will also demonstrate innovation and good practice in managing relationships with Government and other stakeholders to achieve the desired outcome. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include details of the background for the initiative together with information on the magnitude of the challenges which were overcome as a result of your activities.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget for the campaign is also included as well as a copy of any documentation or literature produced as part of the initiative. This may include press releases, brochures and other relevant supporting documentation.

Commercial Initiative of the Year – 750 word limit
This will be given to an Association which, in the opinion of the judges, has demonstrated an outstanding initiative in any commercial venture. This may involve the development of a product or service for members and/or non-members that has made a significant positive contribution to the Association’s net operating revenue and/or the commercial success of the sector. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include information on the purpose and basis of the commercial venture together with evidence of its benefit to members and/or non-members of your organisation.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a clear comparison on the previous year’s accounts showing the positive financial impact of the initiative is also submitted as well as any other relevant supporting documentation.

Conference of the Year Award – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for an outstanding Conference run by an Association, either in the UK or overseas, which will have included particularly relevant and informative content specific to the audience. The Conference, which may or may not be in conjunction with another event, will make use of innovative technology and have attracted exceptional attendee feedback as well as have a proven financial return. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include full details on the content along with information on the value of any business generated together with growth trends.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget for the event giving details of the costs and financial return is also submitted as well as a copy of the event programme/agenda, delegate list, marketing material, feedback and accompanying data on key success factors. This data must include the number of attendees.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award – 750 word limit
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a process with the aim of embracing responsibility for an organisation’s actions and it encourages a positive impact through its activities on the members of the public. This Award will be given to a Trade Association which, in the opinion of the judges, has clearly demonstrated an outstanding and successful charity or CSR campaign across any aspect of social responsibility. This may also benefit the sector that they represent and/or other sectors, but will have had the most beneficial impact on the public at large. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must explain the issues that the initiative was designed to address and provide evidence on the positive social impact the initiative has had. Where possible, details on the reaction of external observers should also be provided and you should ensure that a copy of the initiative documentation and any other supporting material is included.

Diversity and Inclusion Award – 750 word limit
As a business, you are only as good as the people you employ and you can best manage and fulfil your members’ need by recruiting a workforce that is as diverse and representative as those in the industry that you serve. The Diversity and Inclusion Award will be given to a Trade Association which, in the opinion of the Judges, has clearly demonstrated a real commitment to diversity and inclusion. It may be within your association or an industry wide initiative which has made a measurably positive difference in this area over the past twelve to eighteen months. Eligible initiatives may include, but are not limited to:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Mental health
• Pregnancy and parental rights
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation

Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award, must explain the issues that the initiative was designed to address, and provide clear evidence on the positive impact the initiative has had. Where possible, details on the reaction of external observers should also be provided and you should ensure that a copy of the initiative documentation, budgetary information, and any other supporting material is included.

Event of the Year Award – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for an outstanding event run by an Association, either in the UK or overseas, which will have included particularly relevant and informative content specific to the audience. The event, which may be held in conjunction with another event, will make innovative use of technology and have attracted exceptional attendee feedback as well as have a proven financial return. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include details on the content along with information on the value of any business generated together with growth trends.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget for the event giving details of the costs and financial return is also submitted as well as a copy of the event programme/agenda, delegate list, marketing material, feedback and accompanying data on key success factors. This data must include the number of attendees.

Exhibition of the Year – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for an outstanding exhibition owned or run by an Association, either in the UK or overseas, which included relevant and informative content specific to the audience. The exhibition, which may be in conjunction with another event, will have attracted exceptional attendee feedback and have a proven financial return. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include details on the value of any business generated together with growth trends.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget for the event giving details of the costs and financial return is also submitted as well as a copy of the exhibition catalogue, delegate list, marketing material, feedback and accompanying data on key success factors. This data must include the number of exhibitors and/or visitors.

Good Governance Award – 750 word limit
This Award will be given to a trade association whose board has, in the judges’ opinion, demonstrated a clear commitment to the core principles of good governance (diligence & control, transparency, responsiveness, consensus oriented, equality & inclusivity, effectiveness & efficiency, accountability, integrity, and participatory) by creating a culture of board excellence, which in turn has resulted in a positive impact on the association’s strategic or operational development, members’ experience and/or the profession which the association represents.

Good governance is fundamental to the success of any organisation, and a trade association is best placed to fulfil its mission and deliver its plans if effective governance structures, practices and protocol are in place. This requires Boards to observe both the mechanics and the dynamics of good governance, i.e. to recognise the value of having in place both practical procedures and positive relationships for governing.

Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must clearly demonstrate the positive impact of good governance on the organisation. This may be measured through a variety of ways, such as improved financial performance, new partnerships, enhanced member benefits, an empowered staff base, or an increased influence with local or national policymakers. The judges however will be looking for an explicit link between the board’s governing style, structures and processes, and the organisation’s demonstrable impact(s).

Magazine of the Year – 750 word limit
This will be given to a magazine, produced by or on behalf of a Trade Association, that most engages and serves the needs of its readers. The publication should promote the sector and offer excellent value for money to members or the industry. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include details of the frequency of the magazine together with its intended use. Information on the audience and methods of distribution must also be included.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget giving details of the costs and revenues generated by the publication are submitted as well as any other relevant supporting documentation. A copy of at least one issue of the magazine must be included. Hard copies (a minimum of 8 required) should be sent to Jocelyn Shein, TA Best Practice Awards, Trade Association Forum Limited, Barley House, Sopers Road, Cuffley, Hertfordshire EN6 4RY.

Marketing Campaign of the Year – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for any Marketing or PR campaign or communication produced by or on behalf of a Trade Association which, in their opinion, clearly demonstrates an excellent use of their chosen method of delivery to achieve their objective. This campaign or communication may involve members and/or non-members and offer good value for money. This may be for a campaign or a specific issue or perhaps for a sustained series of communications, either by electronic or other means. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include information on the purpose, basis and frequency of the communication in the campaign together with evidence of the impact/benefit this may have had on members/non-members of your organisation. If applicable, information on the level of traffic to your website should be included together with details of any linked websites which are relevant.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a budget with full details of the costs and revenues for the campaign is also submitted as well as copies of the campaign materials and/or communications which may have been sent.

Membership Engagement Award – 750 word limit
The judges will give this Award to an association which in the opinion of the judges, has clearly demonstrated a proactive initiative either during or culminating in the previous calendar year, that has clearly demonstrated an increased level of membership engagement. This may cover levels of activity and effort invested by your membership (which may include, for example, time spent on your website or the number of training sessions attended in the past year), or an insight into how well your members are aware of and perceive your activities and how you meet their needs. This initiative will have demonstrated a significant increase in the number of members joining or may have significantly stemmed an outflow of members against previous years. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include full membership data showing the effect of the initiative. Membership statistics and a comparison against the previous two years must be included together with details on new members and the number of resignations/terminations as well as a full analysis of trends.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget for the initiative is submitted giving details of the costs and financial return on the investment.

Publication of the Year – 750 word limit
The Judges will be looking for any publication produced by or on behalf of a Trade Association which most engages and serves the needs of its readers. The publication, which may take any form, should be interesting and appropriate for its purpose, promote the sector and offer excellent value for money. Design, content and ease of use will be taken into account. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include full details of the intended audience and distribution method together with details of the aim and purpose of the publication. A copy of the publication must also be included. Hard copies (a minimum of eight required) must be sent to Jocelyn Shein, Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards, Barley House, Sopers Road, Cuffley, Hertfordshire EN6 4RY.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget giving details of the costs and revenue generated by the publication is also submitted as well as feedback from the readers and any other relevant supporting documentation.

Skills Development Award – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for a demonstration of where a membership organisation has supported their members and their industry with skills development priorities. Your submission should provide clear evidence of where your organisation has engaged with conversations around the skills agenda and how you have supported the development of solutions to support the skills development priorities that have been identified as a result of these conversations. Examples of best practice in sourcing funding to support development, apprenticeship and trailblazer schemes, building relationships with Local Enterprise Partnerships, local authorities, politicians, schools, further education colleges, private training providers and Union learning may all be considered.

Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include electronic copies of a full budget for the activity as well as details of the positive impact these activities have had on your industry. Where possible, details on the reaction from your industry should also be provided.

Social Media Award – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for any strategy, communication or campaign produced by or on behalf of a Trade Association which, in their opinion, clearly demonstrates an excellent use of social media to achieve effective communication to members and/or non-members and the wider world. This may include use of all forms of social media. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and must include information on the purpose and frequency of the communication and the level of traffic which has been generated as a result, if applicable. Details of any linked websites should also be included as well as any feedback which may have been obtained.

Website of the Year – 750 word limit
The judges will be looking for a Trade Association website that is technically sound, responsive and has a smart visual design as well as good functionality, is user-friendly and interactive and provides up-to-date and relevant information. The website should be utilised to provide a value for-money solution to the needs of the members, prospective members and/or the general public if applicable. Your submission should state clearly why your Association deserves to win this Award and should include the website address. You must also include access details to the members’ only section. Your submission must also include a full report on the level of usage/traffic on the site and details of any independent audits undertaken.

Please ensure that electronic copies of a full budget giving details of the costs and any financial return the website has generated for the current year and the previous two years is also included as well as any other relevant supporting documentation.

Special AwardsThe following Awards are not subject to a fee.

Young Achiever of the Year – 1,500 word limit
The judges will be looking for any exceptional individual under the age of 35 within their Association or a member of their association. Within the submission, please provide full details of who is making the nomination and why as well as a summary describing the Nominee’s work and a statement which addresses the following:

a) Effectiveness – Please describe your Nominee’s track record of effectiveness in overcoming problems which are faced by your Association or sector ensuring specific examples are included.
b) Innovation – Please describe how your Nominee’s work demonstrates a leap in creativity or particular inventiveness. How does their work differ from traditional approaches?
c) Impact – Please describe the impact and unique differences exercised by your Nominee in their effort(s) described in a) and b) above.
d) Relevance – Briefly discuss the difficulties which may have been addressed by your Nominee and their importance to your Association and its represented sector’s future.
e) Inclusiveness – Please describe the constituencies with which the Nominee works, providing specific examples of how the Nominee has brought together people with differing points of view and/or backgrounds.

The Miles Smith Insurance Group Leadership Award – 1,500 word limit
The judges will be looking for an exceptional leader within their Association. Within the submission, please provide full details of who is making the nomination and why as well as a summary describing the Nominee’s work and a statement which addresses the following:

a) Effectiveness – Please describe your Nominee’s track record of effectiveness in overcoming problems which are faced by your Association or sector ensuring specific examples are included.
b) Innovation – Please describe how your Nominee’s work demonstrates a leap in creativity or particular inventiveness. How does their work differ from traditional approaches?
c) Impact – Please describe the impact and unique differences exercised by your Nominee in their effort(s) described in a) and b) above.
d) Relevance – Briefly discuss the difficulties which may have been addressed by your Nominee and their importance to your Association and its represented sector’s future.
e) Inclusiveness – Please describe the constituencies with which the Nominee works, providing specific examples of how the Nominee has brought together people with differing points of view and/or backgrounds.

The Miles Smith Insurance Group Outstanding Contribution Award – 1,500 word limit
The judges will be looking for an exceptional individual within their Association or a member of their association. This may be either a member of staff or a volunteer who has been involved proactively with your Association’s activities. Within your submission, please provide full details of who is making the nomination and why as well as a summary describing the Nominee’s work and a statement which addresses the following:

a) Effectiveness – Please describe your Nominees’ track record of effectiveness in overcoming problems which are faced by your Association or sector ensuring that specific examples are provided.
b) Innovation – Please describe how your Nominee’s work demonstrated a leap in creativity or particular inventiveness. How does their work depart from traditional approaches to difficulties?
c) Impact – Please describe the impact and unique differences exercised by your Nominee in their effort(s) described in a) and b) above.
d) Relevance – Briefly discuss the difficulties which may have been addressed by your Nominee and their importance to your Association and its represented sector’s future.
e) Inclusiveness – Please describe the constituencies with which the Nominee works, providing specific examples of how the Nominee has brought together people with differing points of view and/or backgrounds.

2020 Trade Association of the Year – 1,500 word limit
This Award will be given to a Trade Association which has clearly demonstrated great success over one or more areas covered by the other categories, and is the Judges’ gift. However, consideration will be given to other nominations. Within the nominating submission please address the following:

a) Effectiveness – Please describe the Association’s track record of effectiveness over a range of issues in overcoming problems which are faced, providing specific examples.
b) Innovation – Please describe how the Association demonstrates particular inventiveness, which may or may not be in the face of adversity.
c) Impact – Please describe the positive impact and unique differences exercised by the Association in the effort(s) described in a) and b) above.
d) Relevance – Briefly discuss the difficulties which may have been addressed by the Association’s work and its importance to the represented sector’s future.

Please ensure that you include a copy of the published accounts for the current and previous year and a copy of the Business Plan/Strategy Document as agreed by the governing body as well as evidential supporting documentation.

Further details on the Awards are available from nfidgett@taforum.org.

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