Frequently Asked Questions
Entries, Deadlines, and Fees
Judging and Winners
Benefits of Participating
When is the deadline and what is the fee?
The Excellence in HCM Spring Program (Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, HR/Workforce Management, Sales Performance, and Corporate Initiatives) re-opens for submissions on January 6, 2020. The deadline has been extended to May 8, 2020. (The 2019 winners were announced via a live webinar on August 20, 2020. Click here to register. A complete list of winners is available here.)
Fee: This program's fee is 575 USD per entry.
The Excellence in Technology Fall Program re-opens for submissions on April 27, 2020. The deadline is September 10, 2020. (The 2019 winners were announced via a live webinar. A complete list of winners is available here.)
Fee: This program's fee is 795 USD per entry.
What are my payment options?
- Through the online application portal (in the last step).
- Send a check to (please notify us):
Brandon Hall Group, Inc.
455 NE 5th Avenue
Suite D292
Delray Beach, FL 33483
If you are paying by check please include a note with your company name, entry category, title, number of entries. If needed, you may request an invoice from Brandon Hall Group.
Are our entries kept confidential?
In the online entry form you are given the opportunity to decide whether or not you would like Brandon Hall Group to publish your entry. If you decide not to give permission for your entry to be published please click “No” when asked if you are giving permission to publish when submitting your entry form. If you select “No” - the information you submit will be kept confidential and will not be published in our member center.
Can I submit multiple entries?
Your organization can enter multiple times, even within the same category, but the entry fee must be paid for each separate entry. If your organization would like to submit the same entry in multiple categories, the entry fee must be paid for each category entered.
Can I request an extension?
Please contact the program director Rachel Cooke at: awards@brandonhall.com to discuss an extension.
What language must the entry be written in?
All entries must be written in English.
What are the descriptions and judging criteria for each category?
Please download our brochure for the full list of descriptions and judging criteria for each category.
We are a practitioner organization (corporate, non-profit, government), which programs can we enter?
You can enter in both the HCM Spring Program and the Technology Fall Program - either independently or jointly with a solution (technology) provider.
We are a solution (HCM technology) provider organization, which program can we enter?
You may enter in the HCM Spring Program, however, you must enter jointly with your client organization. Solution providers cannot enter independently in this program.
The Technology Fall Program is for technology organizations and departments to enter alone or jointly with their client organizations.
How many winners are there?
Award winners are based on three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Approximately 20% of entries will be awarded.
How are winners selected?
Judges score each entry, and then the judging and scoring are reviewed by Brandon Hall Group’s executive leadership team, led by Rachel Cooke. The level of the award is determined by the number of points. There is a point range for Gold, Silver, and Bronze. We don’t grade on any kind of curve – the point total determines the award level. That is why in some categories, there may be several bronzes, and silvers, but fewer golds. Or if a category is particularly strong, maybe more golds than silver and bronze. And some categories may not have any winners.
Who are your judges?
The judging panel consists of independent senior industry subject matter experts and practitioners, and Brandon Hall Group research analysts and executive leadership.
Requirements to be a judge:
Minimum of eight to twelve years of experience in the subject area.
Not employed by a Solution Provider (Vendor) or helping organization.
Entries are judged by:
Panels of independent senior industry subject matter experts and practitioners.
Professions include:
VPs, Directors, Managers
Independent Instructional Designers and Program Developers
University Professors and PHDs
Types of organizations include: (US and Global based)
Corporations
Government Organizations
Military Groups
Associations and Nonprofits
All judges are required to sign confidentiality agreement.
What is the judging criterion?
Each category has its own judging criterion that is unique to the program area.
Each of the entries will need to show examples of the following:
Design of the programs or technologies
The use and objectives of the program
Overall benefits and measureable results
Supporting graphics, demos, links and videos where appropriate
Please download our brochure for the full list of descriptions and judging criteria for each category. If you have additional questions, please contact us at: awards@brandonhall.com.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners of the Spring HCM Program will be announced in a live webinar in Fall 2020.
Winners of the Fall Technology Program will be announced in a live webinar in Winter 2020.
Winners from both programs will also be honored at our annual HCM Excellence Conference.
WINNERS RECEIVE:
- Recognition at our Annual HCM Excellence Conference.
- Winners will be invited to speak in panel sessions.
- Discounted Excellence Conference pass rates.
- One (1) plaque per winning entry. You may order additional plaques if you desire for an additional fee.
- A digital logo that you may use in any way you wish.
- A Brandon Hall Group issued press release announcing the winners.
- Live online announcement event and inclusion in promotional mailings.
- Recognition on Brandon Hall Group’s web site.
- Recognition on Brandon Hall Group’s social communities - Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
- Entries may be included in Brandon Hall Group’s blogs.
- Feedback and scoring on your entry at the request of the organization.
- Entries may be included in Brandon Hall Group’s publications when appropriate and with approval.
- Opportunities to be highlighted in industry webinars.
- For solution providers that have submitted with client organizations – published case study entries with approval and opportunities for webinar sponsorship to share best practices.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE:
- A certificate of participation in PDF format that you may use in any way you wish.
- Feedback and scoring on your entry at the request of the organization.
- Annual networking virtual forums designed only for award participants.
- Discounted Excellence Conference pass rates.
Attire
Business casual is appropriate during the day and the Welcome Reception.
The Excellence Awards and Gala dress code is black tie optional.
Official Hashtag
The official hashtag for the conference is #Excellence18. Please tag us @brandonhallgrp to engage in discussions leading up to the event and also to have your tweets and photos displayed on our social feeds on-site.
Mobile App
We will send all registrants an invitation to our mobile app a few weeks before the event. You can also visit your App Store and search "Brandon Hall Group" to download the app. The mobile app is the best way to find sessions and speakers you want to hear from, as well as sponsors and attendees that you’re interested in meeting. There is a QR code on every name badge and scanner on the app to help you network and swap contact information with fellow attendees.
Search through the session list to find breakout sessions you want to attend. Then set up bookmarks, add to your event calendar, or set up app reminders to get to a session early.
Weather
Historically, the weather around this particular time of year is high 78 / low 61.
What's Included with Your Registration?
Registration includes access to workshops (except the pre-conference workshop on Jan. 30), general sessions, breakout sessions, receptions, meals during conference hours, the awards pre-ceremony wine-tasting, the Awards Ceremony and Gala, and the Expo Hall.
Who Should Attend?
CLOs, CTOs, CHROs, VPs/ Directors/Managers of Learning & Development, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Workforce Management, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, Current and Past HCM Excellence Award Winners, Brandon Hall Group member organizations.
Can I Cancel My Registration?
Cancellations must be made on or before January 5, 2018 to receive a refund. All cancellations will be subject to a $150 cancellation fee. Refunds will not be granted for cancellations received on or after January 6, 2018. No-show registrations will not be refunded. To cancel your registration, please contact us at excellenceconference@brandonhall.com.
Can I Transfer My Registration to Someone Else?
Yes. Please contact us at excellenceconference@brandonhall.com to make arrangements.
How Do I Know Which Rate I Qualify For?
Please contact us at excellenceconference@brandonhall.com for any questions regarding which registration type you should select.
Featured Award-Winning Case Studies
Click the logo to download. Click here for a complete list of past award winners.
To access our complete database of case studies, research, reports, tools and more, become a member. Request a free trial today!
Contact us at membersuccess@brandonhall.com.
About Brandon Hall Group
Stay in touch
Brandon Hall Group is a research and analyst firm, with more than 10,000 clients globally and 25 years of delivering research-based solutions that empower excellence in organizations around the world through our research and tools each and every day. Our vision is to inspire a better workplace experience. Our mission is to empower excellence in organizations around the world through our research and tools each and every day.