The 2025 Memcom Excellence Awards

The 2025 Memcom Excellence Awards Programme is now live! 

Register before 31st December and you can benefit from our Early Bird Prices.

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With multiple awards across different categories, the Awards highlight everything from strategy to leadership, engagement to publications, and individual and team achievements, celebrating the innovation, dedication, and impact that drive success and inspire excellence across the sector.

These awards are open to all professional bodies, trade associations, membership charities, trade unions, and the wider not-for-profit membership sector.

Winners receive significant exposure through Memcom's social media channels, newsletters, and blog, in addition to boosting team morale, inspiring others, and providing an excellent opportunity to celebrate success. 

Apply below...

Discover what led to some of the winners from the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards picking up their respective awards...

Tom Bowtell wins 2024 Memcom CEO Leadership Award

We are thrilled to congratulate Tom Bowtell, CEO of the British Coatings Federation (BCF), on winning the 2024 Memcom CEO Leadership Award at this year’s Memcom Excellence Awards ceremony. 

Congratulations Tom!

Read more

PAGB wins Best Trade Association at the 2024 Awards

At the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards, PAGB, the UK’s consumer healthcare association, achieved a major milestone, taking home the prestigious award for Best Trade Association.


Read more

IBMS Wins Best Member Engagement at 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards

At the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards, the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) was recognised for their outstanding member engagement, jointly winning the Best Member Engagement Award.

Read more

See the full list of the 2024 Winners


Based on recommendations from our awards judging panels and other senior leaders within the sector, the 2025 Memcom Membership Excellence Awards offer 8 categories with 31 awards to enter, providing something for everyone.

From websites, videos and podcasts, to the best overall use of technology, these awards celebrate digital innovation and creativity, highlighting what is possible to fundamentally change the way membership organisations interact with members, consumers and the general public.

01 - Best Website

02 - Best Use of Video

03 - Best Podcast

04 - Best Use of Technology

Events are an essential part of non-profit membership organisations and the four awards in this category recognise creativity and innovation in a range of areas, from event management and venues to the events themselves.

05 - Best Celebration Event

06 - Best Event 

07 - Best Event Management

08 - Best Venue

Membership is the lifeblood of our sector and the four awards in this category recognise genuine creativity and innovation in a range of areas, from strategies and member support, to creative campaigns and communications.  ​

09 - Best Membership Strategy

10 - Best Membership Support

11 - Best Integrated Membership Campaign

12 - Best Membership Communication

Engagement with stakeholders is the lifeblood of our sector and these four awards celebrate everything from Education initiatives and social media, through to impactful campaigns and lobbying.  

13 - Best Social Media Presence

14 - Best Lobbying Campaign

15 - Best Public Awareness Campaign

16 - Best Education Campaign

A hugely popular category, the following four awards honour excellence in print publications within the membership sector. We’re looking for superior execution of editorial objectives, engaging content, innovative design, cutting-edge techniques and noteworthy commerciality.

17 - Best Magazine Launch or Relaunch

18 - Best Magazine, Circulation less than 20K

19 - Best Magazine, Circulation more than 20K

20 - Best Publication

This category celebrates genuine transformation and focuses on three popular areas: inclusivity, sustainability and more general transformation projects, such as digital transformation.

21 - Best Inclusivity Initiative

22 - Best Sustainability Initiative

23 - Best Transformation Project

The four awards in this section recognise the hard work across an entire organisation to go above and beyond the efforts of your peers. No matter the size of your organisation, if you’ve achieved something exceptional and made a tangible difference, this is your opportunity to share it with the wider membership community.

24 - Best Trade Association, Body or Union

25 - Best Professional Body and Learned Society

26 - Best Agency

27 - Best Collaborative Partnership


This final section celebrates the talented staff and volunteers who make an extraordinary contribution to the membership sector and society at large. From future leaders to exceptional teams, CEOs and Board Chairs or Presidents, nominating those who make a difference in your organisation is the perfect way to demonstrate your gratitude and thanks.

28 - The Future Leader

29 - Team of the Year

30 - Best President or Chair

31 - The CEO Leadership Award

This award is given after all judging has taken place, in recognition of the organisation which wins the most awards in the Memcom Excellence Awards 2025. All awards placings are taken into account, so the more you enter, the more likelihood you have of winning the Grand Prix.


Winning entries are awarded three points, and highly-commended entries gain one point, so the winner of the Grand Prix award for 2025 can be truly proud of their achievements, and know that they are the best in show at the Memcom Excellence Awards 2025.   


NB: This award cannot be entered directly as it is purely based on the judges' scoring. ​

The Memcom Excellence Awards are independently judged by our expert panel who have been invited or have applied to become a judge. Many have judged with us several times and keep coming back!

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Every year we invite experts and professionals from the world of membership to form our jury panel - from thought leaders, heads of associations, to consultants and suppliers working within the membership sector, each with an in-depth understanding of the industry's ever-changing landscapes.

Step into the Role of Judge for the 2025 Awards!

Are you a passionate, skilled professional with expertise to share? Join our esteemed panel of judges for the 2025 Awards and help us celebrate excellence in our industry.

Does this sound like you? Apply now to make your impact!

Apply Here
Deadline 31st January 2025

The Memcom Excellence Awards are fully independent, and judged by professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. Using set scoring criteria, the judges carefully score the written submissions and supporting materials.

The resulting scores from each judge are added together to determine the winners in each category and juries then meet via a conference call to deliberate and come to a consensus on their category, shortlists and winners.

Scoring criteria

Entries are scored based on these key criteria 

⇒ Evidence of strategy and clearly defined goals

⇒ Execution & activities

⇒ Innovation, creativity and originality

⇒ Success metrics and results achieved

During the evaluation process, the judges need to award a clear winner and possibly a highly commended if the judges deems appropriate and as their voting score determines.

The judging takes place during May 2025, and the time commitment is expected to be between 5-10 hours.

Eligibility

In order to be considered as a Memcom judge, you must fulfill the following criteria:

⇒ Expertise in at least one of the following areas: marketing, membership, communications, campaigning, sustainability, publishing, technology or leadership.

⇒ Availability to participate in all aspects of the judging process (see expectations below).

Expectations

Judges are expected to:

⇒ Read the Memcom Judges' Instructions Guide

⇒ Be assigned to judge and score all entries in one or more categories

⇒ Score and report their feedback online on the Awards platform

⇒ Work closely with their peer judges and have up to two joint judging meetings to deliberate and come to a consensus on their category, shortlists and winners.

⇒ Provide feedback or testimonials on their experience of judging the Memcom Awards

Requirements

All Memcom judges are required to:

⇒ Sign a Non Disclosure Agreement

⇒ Disclose any potential conflicts of interest

1. Apply to be a judge: 

Complete the application form

2. Get your application reviewed

Looking at your application and LinkedIn profile, we will ensure you meet our high standards and find a category that suits your experience and expertise.

3. Your place is confirmed

If your application is successful, we will confirm your place and will provide you with a registration link (closer to the judging opening date) that activates your Judging portal on the awards platform. This is an easy-to-use platform where you'll submit your judging scores.

4. Assess the entries

The Memcom Excellence Awards 2025 has a two-round judging process.

  • Round One Online Judging: May 2025 (dates TBC)

In the first round, each judge will be allocated between 5-15 entries to assess according to their experience and expertise. This scoring takes place online and the whole process is straightforward: judges read the entries, then submit their scores and written comments. Judges have a couple of weeks to complete this part of the judging process.

  • Round Two Online Judging: May 2025 (dates TBC)

In round 2, you will join your judging peers to deliberate and select the winners via a conference call or an in-person meeting. The Lead Judge will report the scoring and written feedback in the awards platform.

5. Network and Connect

The Memcom Awards bring Senior professionals together, you can take the time to network with other judges and forge new connections. 

6. Spread the word

We’ll provide a Judge’s Personal Promo Card and Judge Badge to help you promote your involvement on social media.

Q. My organisation plans on entering the Awards. Can I still be a judge?

A. Definitely! You and your organisation can enter as many categories as you wish, but you will only be able to judge in a category that your organisation did not enter. You'll also receive a discount code for 25% off of all entries - so remember to pass it on to your colleagues!

Q. Will I have to travel as part of the judging process?

A. The first round of judging will be done online, then we highly encourage judges to meet in person to decide the final shortlist and winners. In-person judging venues will be provided by Memcom, including refreshments.

Q. When will the judging period take place for the 2025 Awards?

A. The main online judging period will take place in May 2025, with all results completed by 31st May.

Q. How much of a time commitment will judging the Awards take?

A. We have designed our judging process to be as easy as possible. Last year, our judges took on average 5-10 hours. Our judging period will be open for four weeks, and you can judge at your leisure during that period.

Q. Do I need any special software or equipment to judge?

A. You will only need a computer and an internet connection, so you can judge from almost anywhere in the world! Everything else will be provided to you via the Evalato Awards Platform where you will be given your own login to access and score your assignments.

Q. Can I pick which categories I judge?

A. The application form asks for your preferred categories but we cannot guarantee that these will be assigned to you.

Q. What happens if I’m a judge and I feel uncomfortable about judging in a category because I have a business or personal relationship with an entrant?

A. The integrity of the Memcom Awards is vital. Memcom asks all judges to disclose any (real or potential) conflicts of interest and an alternate award or category may be assigned.

Q. What happens if I believe that my fellow judge(s) have unfairly scored an Awards entry?

A. We will ask another judge to allow for an extra independent, unbiased level of scrutiny.

​Q. What's the fastest way to contact the Memcom Awards Team?

A. For any queries, please contact the Awards Team at awards@memcom.org.uk

Attended by around 500 sector leaders, over 30 awards will be presented at a glitzy, celebratory dinner, making the Memcom Membership Excellence Awards the most coveted of any awards in the not-for-profit sector.


Memcom attracts senior leaders and budget holders within professional bodies, trade associations and the wider not-for-profit sector. We are able to offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to partner with us on the awards to increase your brand exposure to key decision makers.


The Memcom Excellence Awards are more than just an event; they are a celebration of the best in the membership sector. Recognised for their prestige and professionalism, the awards attract a discerning audience committed to innovation and excellence. By sponsoring the Memcom Awards, you not only support the recognition of outstanding achievements but also position your brand as a vital part of this influential community.

Did you know, being a headline partner of Memcom gets you maximum exposure at our Excellence Awards ceremony?

With unparalleled growth over the last few years, the Memcom Excellence Awards have attracted entries from more than 600 of the leading professional bodies, trade associations, learned societies and membership charities throughout the UK and beyond.

Lasting Exposure


If you choose to sponsor one of our Awards, as well as exposure on our website and at our Awards Ceremony, your company logo will be printed on the Winners trophy.

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Learn more about the categories and the awards available to sponsor by taking a look below at the 2024 winners...


The 2024 Categories & Awards Winner​​s

Learn more about partnerships with Memcom

All of our core sponsor packages include tickets to the Awards Ceremony as well as the option to sponsor categories, send ‘Good Luck’ messages or host VIP events.

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From headline opportunities and category sponsorship to hosting a premium table on the night, contact sylwia@memcom.org.uk to find out more about our Sponsorship opportunities.

Partnerships


​The Awards 2025 timeline​

13th Nov 2024 

Awards Launch

31 Dec 2024 

3 for 2 offer ends

3

31 March 2025

 Registration & Submission closes

10 July 2025 

Shortlist announced

Watch our useful explainer video, which summarises the Awards, what's included and brief tips on registering and entering an award.


upport

​How to enter

Application process
⇒ Register on our awards platform Evalato - enter here
⇒ Select the awards you wish to enter
⇒ Pay at the time of registration with a valid debit or credit card
⇒ An email with your login details will be sent to you giving you access to your personal workspace
⇒ Start your application whenever you're ready, save it as you go and submit before the deadline

When you start filling out your application, you can save your progress as you go - and then come back to Evalato at any time to complete your entry using your login details. 

Once you have submitted your application, you can no longer edit it.

Application format
Submissions for all awards are limited to a maximum of 500 or 1000 words (3500 or 7000 characters; spaces count towards the character limit) and nominees are also able to upload a maximum of 2 documents (1x supporting evidence, 1x visual). Each of the Awards can cover the last 12 - 18 months.

⇒ Each award has its own criteria, but generally nominees should think about how to answer the following question:
Why do you think this initiative/person/campaign/event/venue deserves to win this award right now?

Judges will look for:
⇒ Evidence of strategy and clearly defined goals: What are the goals and objectives of the project, magazine, campaign, event, person? What is the strategy you applied? How does this project, magazine, campaign etc...contribute to the purpose of the organisation? 
⇒ Execution & activities: In your application, please provide a list of the various activities that have been executed. What resources humans and others have been used to undertake the activities? 
⇒ Innovation, creativity and originality: What was innovative in the execution, approach etc…? 
⇒ Success metrics and results achieved: Comment on your achievements in relation to the finance and human resources utilised. Show Evidence of success and impact in the form of feedback, testimonials or other KPIs, including any outcomes such as measurable increased engagement.

Changed your mind...?
You selected the awards you'd like to enter in the registration stage, but then have a change of mind? Don't panic! We can easily add, subtract or change your chosen categories, so simply email us at awards@memcom.org.uk and we'll sort it for you!

Want to see what the application form looks like BEFORE you apply? That's not a problem! Simply email us at awards@memcom.org.uk and we'll send you a pdf example of our simple-to-complete application form!

Supporting materials
You are advised to upload supporting materials that can be used alongside your entry. Unless you ask us not to, these materials may subsequently be used on the Memcom website, on screens during the awards ceremony, or within other Memcom-related marketing and promotional materials.

Digital copies are requested for the Publishing, Editor of the year and other categories where it is needed.

Please kindly note that no supporting materials will be accepted after submission.


DateDescription
13th November 2024Awards open: 3-for-2 until 31 March 2025; early bird closes 31st December 2024
31st December 2024Early Bird Registration fee at £199+ VAT ends (Standard at £249+ VAT)
31st March 2025Standard registration fee at  £249+ VAT closes and 3 for 2 offer ends
31st March 2025
FINAL DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION
April 2025
Submissions review and judges assignments
May 2025Voting on the awards
10th July 2025Shortlist announced at the Memcom Summer Party
25th September 2025Winners announced at the lavish Memcom Awards Ceremony in London.


Awards and recognition can enhance your organisations’ reputation and give a boost to your members. They can also encourage innovation and raise productivity amongst your staff. Winning the Memcom Membership Excellence Awards are GREAT for your profile, your staff, your volunteers and your members...

Some of the benefits of winning a Memcom Award:
⇒ Be recognised for excellence in the sector
⇒ Show your members the quality of the work you produce on their behalf
⇒ Gain exposure through Memcom's communications across social media channels, newsletters and blogs
⇒ Receive recognition that can support career progression
⇒ Great for team morale - Show appreciation for the hard work and results of your employees and volunteers
⇒ Great opportunity to celebrate your success

Each Memcom Award Winner or Highly Commended will receive:
⇒ An elegant trophy to display in your organisation
⇒ A digital badge to add to your website and email signature
⇒ An editorial and social media coverage, featured on our website, newsletters, blogs and social media 
⇒ A quote from the judges to feature in a press release

DescriptionFeeValid time
Early Bird Entry £199+VAT11 Nov 2024 to 31 Dec 2024
Standard Entry £249+VAT01 Jan 2025 to 31 Mar 2025

Remember, the 3 for 2 offer is valid until 31 March 2025!

The cost of entry is per application, this includes a non-refundable administrative fee of £39 per application. Memcom reserves the right to change the cost of entry to the Awards without prior notice.

⇒ All award entries must be paid at time of registration with a valid debit or credit card. Failure to pay will result in entries being withdrawn from the judging process.
⇒ When submitting your debit/credit card details at time of registration, enter the postcode/ZIP Code of where the card is registered in capital letters with no spaces in between.
⇒ Duplicate/individual trophies are available to purchase at just £125 per trophy, which includes shipping to an address of your choice. Other size trophies may be available - details upon request.

The Memcom Excellence Awards are fully independent and completely impartial, and are organised and facilitated but not judged by employees of Memcom. The competition is open to all membership organisations, working (globally) within the not-for-profit sector (including professional bodies, trade associations, trade unions, membership charities, cultural or campaigning organisations and learned societies) as well as third-party sector suppliers working within the not-for-profit membership sector.

Click here for the Memcom Awards Terms & Conditions.

Every year we invite experts and professionals from the world of membership to form our jury panel – from thought leaders, heads of associations, to consultants and suppliers working within the membership sector, each with an in-depth understanding of the industry’s ever-changing landscapes.

Each entry is evaluated by a panel of 3 – 5 judges, within a set of categories assigned in accordance with their field of expertise. The process ensures that any conflict of interest with any of the competing entries are taken into consideration, and respectively no judges are assigned categories where such entries are present.

Entries are scored based on these key criteria;
⇒ Evidence of strategy and clearly defined goals
⇒ Execution & activities
⇒ Innovation, creativity and originality
⇒ Success metrics and results achieved

During the evaluation process there are no restrictions on the number of awards that can be allocated. As many or as few entries could be awarded per category as the jury deems appropriate and as their voting score determines. 

Interested in being a judge?


Remember, you've got to enter to win, but before you do, here is a little more advice from judges and past winners of the Memcom Excellence Awards:

⇒ Research suitable awards: can you enter the same piece of work under different categories?
⇒ Register early and get planning: there's nothing worse than missing the boat, so plan early to avoid disappointment - and take advantage of the early-bird pricing offer!
⇒ Read and then follow the instructions: it sounds obvious, but different awards might require different criteria, word limits or supporting information and KPIs.
⇒ Make time: don't leave it until the last minute to submit. Draft your application and bake in time to get someone else to review your entry before you press submit.
⇒ Use storytelling to demonstrate success and impact: make your successes come alive and inspire the judges with their impact.
⇒ Create joint entries with your suppliers: share the costs, the efforts of submitting and celebrate your wins together!

In the words of one of our judges: 

You know your work inside out, but take a step back before you write your award entry and look at it through a stranger’s eyes. What really makes it shine? What were the original objectives and does your measurement support them? How would you describe your audience and find a way to write simply and concisely what you delivered... and why. 
It’s also really motivating to read an entry that shows your pride in your work – not empty boasts or how fabulous everyone says you are – but an entry that clearly defines what you set out to do and the impact it made. 
These may seem obvious but we see a large number of entries that presume we know your organisation and project inside out, thinking that using corporate jargon or flowery words will do the trick. They don’t!

Susanne Peck, Director at Sequel

Whether you have a specific query or would like advice, the awards team is here to help - Contact us at awards@memcom.org.uk or call 020 7148 6749. We aim to respond within 24 hours, even at the weekend!

Awards Shortlist Party - 10th July

The 2025 Memcom Excellence Awards shortlist will be announced at our Awards Shortlist Party on 10th July 2025 held at the Barbican Conservatory.


This event is a highlight in our calendar, where we catch up with fellow sector friends and colleagues to celebrate the new roster of shortlisters for this year's Memcom Excellence Awards.


Whether you entered an award for 2025, or you're a Memcom member who just wants to join us to celebrate, our Shortlist Party is the must attend event for the membership and associations sector, providing a unique opportunity to network with senior professionals in a relaxed setting.


Register your interest

Memcom Excellence Awards Ceremony - 25 September

The winners from the 2025 Memcom Excellence Awards will be announced at a lavish dinner on Thursday 25th September at our brand new location for 2025, The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

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Make sure you keep your eye out for tickets being released, but if you would like to register your interest, you can do so below.


Register your interest

 

Register TODAY and benefit from our Early Bird offer if registering before 31 December. 

Closing date is 31 March 2025. 

Select your awards*

Register your details

 Pay for your entries

Save progress 

Submit before the deadline

  Register for an award today...

​ ​ ​Not sure of your awards choices yet? no worries, just register and select random awards, you can amend your choices later in your portal!​


​Organisational Member of Memcom, you can claim your FREE AWARDS ENTRIES as part of your membership by emailing Magali directly.

Awards description and criteria: You can hover the question mark (?) to read more about the categories and awards or alternatively...


Download the 2025 Excellence Awards Entrant Kit

Enter your details and receive the detailed Excellence Awards Entry kit.

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Download now

Need more information? Contact us at: awards@memcom.org.uk