Winning awards in the Middle East

Entering Middle Eastern Awards can significantly benefit global and regional organizations looking to gain recognition in this flourishing market. Success in MENA awards distinguishes a company for its exceptional achievements and innovation and creates networking opportunities, building credibility within the Middle Eastern business landscape.

The MENA region boasts a dynamic award ecosystem across various sectors like banking, construction, real estate and luxury and hospitality awards, reflecting its rich diversity and unique industry focuses.

In recent years, the awards landscape in the Middle East and North African region has expanded to further reflect growing industries. Awards sectors and categories such as Digital Transformation and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) have appeared, in line with increasing digitalization and the increasing awareness of sustainable practices in the Middle East.

Awards in the Middle East not only celebrate homegrown businesses but also welcome the contributions of international businesses to the Middle Eastern economy, presenting promising opportunities for companies aiming to expand their influence and market presence in the region.

As the world’s top award entry consultancy, Boost Awards has won over 2,000 credible business awards, including many in the MENA region. In this article we recommend credible Middle Eastern awards and provide insights into regional and international accolades.

Attended in the past by royals, prime ministers, global and regional CEOs, the Arabian Business Achievement Awards are another prestigious scheme acknowledging outstanding corporate leadership for both companies and individuals.

If you are looking to enter internationally accredited awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards and the International Businesses Awards both boast a diverse array of categories focusing on innovation, with chances to win gold, silver, or bronze for your team, for individuals and for specific projects, products and initiatives.

Likewise, the International Business Excellence Awards, are a highly reputable programme and offer broad categories such as Business & Innovation, Customer Experience, Sustainability and CSR. Companies can enter up to 10 categories, broadening your chances of winning and gaining recognition on a global scale.

For new businesses, the Middle East Startup Awards, offer an opportunity to spotlight their innovative ideas, connect with industry leaders, investors, and other entrepreneurs, and gain recognition on a regional and global scale. Their regional eligibility comprises: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Middle East Banking Awards and MENA Finance Awards

The Middle East & North Africa is widely accepted as one of the fastest growing markets in the banking and financial services sectors. Lucrative schemes in the region reflect the Middle East’s growing standing in the global economy. The MENA Banking Excellence Awards, for example, recognise banking excellence in a range of categories, including Retail, Private and Corporate & Investment Banking.

Spearheaded by The Digital Banker, the Middle East & Africa Banking Innovation Awards, similarly honour the region’s outstanding banking institutions — offering free entry and allowing participation across an unlimited number of categories. Previous winners include HSBC, Mashreq and First Abu Dhabi bank, positioning this scheme as a highly sought after offering.

The WealthBriefing MENA Awards recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in the financial sector, providing categories in regional and country-based banking, investment management, and technology among others.

MENA Digital Transformation Awards

In an age where technology is rapidly evolving, digital transformation has become the cornerstone of business evolution worldwide. The Middle East is witnessing a significant focus on leveraging digital technologies to further drive innovation, efficiency and revolutionise business operations.

Given this evolving landscape, there are many prominent award schemes celebrating the best companies and individuals harnessing digital technologies.

Take for instance, the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards. These awards recognise pioneering technology firms and companies across diverse industries, such as aviation, banking, and engineering. Evaluation criteria include factors such as uniqueness, impact, and dynamism, and the accolades are presented at a national level with a deadline of June 13, 2024 to submit your entry.

Achievements in technological innovation are also represented by the MENA Digital Awards, with a deadline of June 15, 2024. They are the first awards show to honour digital efforts of global agencies and clients in the region. Entries are evaluated by the judges based on the entry form and a case study video/presentation.

The E-Business Awards were devised to recognise and celebrate the most prominent digital businesses, start-ups and SMEs leading the e-business landscape in the Middle East. Last year’s awards saw 30 winners across a wide range of categories such as E-Business of the Year and AI Solution of the Year.

Rewarding the best PPC, SEO and Content Marketing across the Middle East and North Africa, the MENA Search Awards offers campaign categories including Best of Search across multiple industry verticals including Retail/eCommerce, Finance, Travel and Leisure, B2B and B2C.

Middle East Sustainability Awards and ESG Awards

The Middle East is witnessing a profound shift in corporate mindset towards climate concerns, reflecting a growing emphasis on environmental and sustainability issues. With Egypt hosting COP27 last year and UAE having recently hosted COP28, the region’s ambitions for climate action have come to the forefront.

Amid this evolving landscape, there has been a rise in ESG awards: acknowledging companies’ focus on environmental sustainability in their operations and strategies. Investing in ESG awards particularly resonates with consumers who prioritise supporting environmentally responsible businesses. The Game Changers in Sustainability and Technology Awards, are among these, crediting forward-thinking companies dedicated to environmental progress, alongside their transformative impact on industries and businesses in the Middle East. The Logistics Middle East Awards, similarly acknowledge trailblazing advancements in supply chain management, transportation efficiency, and sustainable logistics practice.

Programmes such as the long-established Gulf Sustainability Awards recognise outstanding environmental initiatives in the Gulf region. Divided into three main categories, Environmental Sustainability, CSR Excellence and People in Sustainability, the awards extend an invitation to participate in their environmental efforts. These awards actively invite participation from attendees, as organisers plant a Ghaf seed on behalf of every attendee at the ceremony in September.

Promising to be the ‘Oscars of Sustainability’ in the Middle East, the Sustainability Middle East Awards (The SME’s), are a relatively new scheme in the MENA awards landscape. Despite their newcomer status, they have already attracted significant participation from major companies. Last year’s ceremony saw IBM win Sustainable ICT Company of the Year, and DHL winning the Green Fuels Transition Award.

Recognised as one of the largest ESG awards, the Sustainability Innovation Awards offer an extensive array of 54 categories along with individual distinctions, spanning from Sustainable Transportation to Solar Energy. In addition, the MENA Green Building Awards (now in their 12th year running) spotlight excellence in design, construction, and operation across 16 categories. These awards honour outstanding achievements, fostering the green building movement’s growth and advancement throughout the MENA region.

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute is a leading excellence knowledge and benchmarking provider with 34 years of experience. They host a multitude of awards including the Middle East Women Leaders Excellence Awards, the Leading Digital Awards and City Awards, and the Middle East Leading CEO Excellence Awards. to name just a few. These prestigious awards, with deadlines typically varying around June, showcase their commitment to honouring best practice across a multitude of specialisms and sectors across the region.

The MEED projects awards are another program celebrating outstanding projects and professionals emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. Running for its 14th year, this awards scheme values the best-in-class construction, infrastructure, and utility projects across the MENA region.

The ME Digital Construction Awards specifically award organizations who successfully leverage and integrate technology within the built environment. Notable categories include ‘Implementation for the Year’, and ‘Technology SME of the Year’. The awards cover the whole Middle East region, with the awards ceremony taking place at the end of July this year, in London.

Big 5 Global Impact Awards, held at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai, are a highly reputable accolade, celebrating sustainable development, technology, and digital achievements aligned with the goals of COP28.

Middle East Real Estate and Property Awards

Renowned for its iconic skyscrapers, luxurious properties and technological innovation, real estate in the Middle East is a prosperous and world-renowned sector that garners global attention and investment interest.

There are a plethora of awards schemes that reflect the Middle East’s booming real estate sector, including the Forbes Top 50 Real Estate Developers.

The UAE, in particular, are a global lead in the real estate sector and host numerous awards including the IRECMS Dubai Awards, who are Awards Trustmark accredited for meeting best practice standards. These awards recognise UAE-based companies who deliver outstanding results in Community Management, Facilities and Property Management as well as Real Estate. Companies can nominate themselves in up to 4 categories free of charge.

The Saudi Building and Infrastructure Awards recognise the achievements of Saudi Arabia’s leading project leaders & companies. Categories include the ‘Best Infrastructure Developer’, Best Construction Company’ and ‘Leader in Real Estate’.

Alternatively, the Arabian Property Awards (as part of the International Property Awards) present a dual opportunity, allowing companies to not only succeed within the Arab region but also to advance to the prestigious International Grand Final event, held at the illustrious Savoy in London. Winners receive extensive media coverage, cultivate new business opportunities, and increase their profiles globally.

Middle East Travel Awards and MENA Luxury Awards

Luxury and Travel Awards in the MENA region showcase the region’s commitment to excellence and innovation in these sectors, recognising the best in hospitality, travel, and related industries. The Middle East presents significant opportunities lifestyle and travel brands, with many international awards being held in Dubai, solidifying its reputation as a global events hub.

There are a number of awards schemes that reflect the region’s prowess in this sector including the World LifeStyle Awards, managed and held in Dubai; The Business Traveller Middle East Awards, The International Spa and Beauty Awards and The International Dining Awards. The region is home to some of the world’s best luxury hotels, and this is reflected in such awards as Hotelier Middle East Awards, Hotelier Saudi Awards and International Hotel Awards – Dubai Africa and Arabia. These awards boast large industry connections and offer businesses the opportunity to gain prestige, exposure and attract new clients regionally as well as globally.

Winning awards in the Middle East

Entering Middle Eastern Awards can significantly benefit global and regional organizations looking to gain recognition in this flourishing market. Success in MENA awards distinguishes a company for its exceptional achievements and innovation and creates networking opportunities, building credibility within the Middle Eastern business landscape.

The MENA region boasts a dynamic award ecosystem across various sectors like banking, construction, real estate and luxury and hospitality awards, reflecting its rich diversity and unique industry focuses.

In recent years, the awards landscape in the Middle East and North African region has expanded to further reflect growing industries. Awards sectors and categories such as Digital Transformation and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) have appeared, in line with increasing digitalization and the increasing awareness of sustainable practices in the Middle East.

Awards in the Middle East not only celebrate homegrown businesses but also welcome the contributions of international businesses to the Middle Eastern economy, presenting promising opportunities for companies aiming to expand their influence and market presence in the region.

As the world’s top award entry consultancy, Boost Awards has won over 2,000 credible business awards, including many in the MENA region. In this article we recommend credible Middle Eastern awards and provide insights into regional and international accolades.

Middle East Business Awards

In this dynamic business environment, there are a plethora of awards companies or individuals can enter for business success in the Middle East.

For individuals, the CEO Today Middle East Awards, celebrate exemplary leadership and innovation in the region. Now running for over 10 years, the programme votes and conducts sector by sector research to identify the most successful leaders in the Middle East. Those lucky enough to rank amongst the world’s CEOs, will be featured in the hard copies and digital magazine editions of CEO today, with their respective firms.

For small to medium enterprises, the MENA Business Excellence Award profiles and increases the visibility of awarded companies among the general public and the business community. In lieu of a judging panel, the awards recipients are selected based on consumer experience based on customer feedback data and online sources, enabling recognition as “top-rank service providers” in their respective fields.

Attended in the past by royals, prime ministers, global and regional CEOs, the Arabian Business Achievement Awards are another prestigious scheme acknowledging outstanding corporate leadership for both companies and individuals.

If you are looking to enter internationally accredited awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards and the International Businesses Awards both boast a diverse array of categories focusing on innovation, with chances to win gold, silver, or bronze for your team, for individuals and for specific projects, products and initiatives.

Likewise, the International Business Excellence Awards, are a highly reputable programme and offer broad categories such as Business & Innovation, Customer Experience, Sustainability and CSR. Companies can enter up to 10 categories, broadening your chances of winning and gaining recognition on a global scale.

For new businesses, the Middle East Startup Awards, offer an opportunity to spotlight their innovative ideas, connect with industry leaders, investors, and other entrepreneurs, and gain recognition on a regional and global scale. Their regional eligibility comprises: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Middle East Banking Awards and MENA Finance Awards

The Middle East & North Africa is widely accepted as one of the fastest growing markets in the banking and financial services sectors. Lucrative schemes in the region reflect the Middle East’s growing standing in the global economy. The MENA Banking Excellence Awards, for example, recognise banking excellence in a range of categories, including Retail, Private and Corporate & Investment Banking.

Spearheaded by The Digital Banker, the Middle East & Africa Banking Innovation Awards, similarly honour the region’s outstanding banking institutions — offering free entry and allowing participation across an unlimited number of categories. Previous winners include HSBC, Mashreq and First Abu Dhabi bank, positioning this scheme as a highly sought after offering.

The WealthBriefing MENA Awards recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in the financial sector, providing categories in regional and country-based banking, investment management, and technology among others.

MENA Digital Transformation Awards

In an age where technology is rapidly evolving, digital transformation has become the cornerstone of business evolution worldwide. The Middle East is witnessing a significant focus on leveraging digital technologies to further drive innovation, efficiency and revolutionise business operations.

Given this evolving landscape, there are many prominent award schemes celebrating the best companies and individuals harnessing digital technologies.

Take for instance, the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards. These awards recognise pioneering technology firms and companies across diverse industries, such as aviation, banking, and engineering. Evaluation criteria include factors such as uniqueness, impact, and dynamism, and the accolades are presented at a national level with a deadline of June 13, 2024 to submit your entry.

Achievements in technological innovation are also represented by the MENA Digital Awards, with a deadline of June 15, 2024. They are the first awards show to honour digital efforts of global agencies and clients in the region. Entries are evaluated by the judges based on the entry form and a case study video/presentation.

The E-Business Awards were devised to recognise and celebrate the most prominent digital businesses, start-ups and SMEs leading the e-business landscape in the Middle East. Last year’s awards saw 30 winners across a wide range of categories such as E-Business of the Year and AI Solution of the Year.

Rewarding the best PPC, SEO and Content Marketing across the Middle East and North Africa, the MENA Search Awards offers campaign categories including Best of Search across multiple industry verticals including Retail/eCommerce, Finance, Travel and Leisure, B2B and B2C.

Middle East Sustainability Awards and ESG Awards

The Middle East is witnessing a profound shift in corporate mindset towards climate concerns, reflecting a growing emphasis on environmental and sustainability issues. With Egypt hosting COP27 last year and UAE having recently hosted COP28, the region’s ambitions for climate action have come to the forefront.

Amid this evolving landscape, there has been a rise in ESG awards: acknowledging companies’ focus on environmental sustainability in their operations and strategies. Investing in ESG awards particularly resonates with consumers who prioritise supporting environmentally responsible businesses. The Game Changers in Sustainability and Technology Awards, are among these, crediting forward-thinking companies dedicated to environmental progress, alongside their transformative impact on industries and businesses in the Middle East. The Logistics Middle East Awards, similarly acknowledge trailblazing advancements in supply chain management, transportation efficiency, and sustainable logistics practice.

Programmes such as the long-established Gulf Sustainability Awards recognise outstanding environmental initiatives in the Gulf region. Divided into three main categories, Environmental Sustainability, CSR Excellence and People in Sustainability, the awards extend an invitation to participate in their environmental efforts. These awards actively invite participation from attendees, as organisers plant a Ghaf seed on behalf of every attendee at the ceremony in September.

Promising to be the ‘Oscars of Sustainability’ in the Middle East, the Sustainability Middle East Awards (The SME’s), are a relatively new scheme in the MENA awards landscape. Despite their newcomer status, they have already attracted significant participation from major companies. Last year’s ceremony saw IBM win Sustainable ICT Company of the Year, and DHL winning the Green Fuels Transition Award.

Recognised as one of the largest ESG awards, the Sustainability Innovation Awards offer an extensive array of 54 categories along with individual distinctions, spanning from Sustainable Transportation to Solar Energy. In addition, the MENA Green Building Awards (now in their 12th year running) spotlight excellence in design, construction, and operation across 16 categories. These awards honour outstanding achievements, fostering the green building movement’s growth and advancement throughout the MENA region.

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute

The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute is a leading excellence knowledge and benchmarking provider with 34 years of experience. They host a multitude of awards including the Middle East Women Leaders Excellence Awards, the Leading Digital Awards and City Awards, and the Middle East Leading CEO Excellence Awards. to name just a few. These prestigious awards, with deadlines typically varying around June, showcase their commitment to honouring best practice across a multitude of specialisms and sectors across the region.

Middle East Construction Awards

The Middle East construction industry is thriving and has been singled out as a ‘relative bright spot’ in a challenging global market of construction. This has been due to the region’s focus on economic diversification initiatives, resulting in significant growth and investment in this sector. Construction awards in the region are therefore highly coveted and prized in the international community.

The Construction Week Awards are at the forefront of the sector, showcasing notable individuals, initiatives, and businesses in the built environment sector. Boasting over 20 distinct categories, 2023’s winners included ALEC for ‘Contractor of the Year’ and RAK Properties for ‘Developer of the Year’. Winners also receive extensive print and online coverage of their success in Construction Week Middle East.

The MEED projects awards are another program celebrating outstanding projects and professionals emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. Running for its 14th year, this awards scheme values the best-in-class construction, infrastructure, and utility projects across the MENA region.

The ME Digital Construction Awards specifically award organizations who successfully leverage and integrate technology within the built environment. Notable categories include ‘Implementation for the Year’, and ‘Technology SME of the Year’. The awards cover the whole Middle East region, with the awards ceremony taking place at the end of July this year, in London.

Big 5 Global Impact Awards, held at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai, are a highly reputable accolade, celebrating sustainable development, technology, and digital achievements aligned with the goals of COP28.

Middle East Real Estate and Property Awards

Renowned for its iconic skyscrapers, luxurious properties and technological innovation, real estate in the Middle East is a prosperous and world-renowned sector that garners global attention and investment interest.

There are a plethora of awards schemes that reflect the Middle East’s booming real estate sector, including the Forbes Top 50 Real Estate Developers.

The UAE, in particular, are a global lead in the real estate sector and host numerous awards including the IRECMS Dubai Awards, who are Awards Trustmark accredited for meeting best practice standards. These awards recognise UAE-based companies who deliver outstanding results in Community Management, Facilities and Property Management as well as Real Estate. Companies can nominate themselves in up to 4 categories free of charge.

The Saudi Building and Infrastructure Awards recognise the achievements of Saudi Arabia’s leading project leaders & companies. Categories include the ‘Best Infrastructure Developer’, Best Construction Company’ and ‘Leader in Real Estate’.

Alternatively, the Arabian Property Awards (as part of the International Property Awards) present a dual opportunity, allowing companies to not only succeed within the Arab region but also to advance to the prestigious International Grand Final event, held at the illustrious Savoy in London. Winners receive extensive media coverage, cultivate new business opportunities, and increase their profiles globally.

Middle East Travel Awards and MENA Luxury Awards

Luxury and Travel Awards in the MENA region showcase the region’s commitment to excellence and innovation in these sectors, recognising the best in hospitality, travel, and related industries. The Middle East presents significant opportunities lifestyle and travel brands, with many international awards being held in Dubai, solidifying its reputation as a global events hub.

There are a number of awards schemes that reflect the region’s prowess in this sector including the World LifeStyle Awards, managed and held in Dubai; The Business Traveller Middle East Awards, The International Spa and Beauty Awards and The International Dining Awards. The region is home to some of the world’s best luxury hotels, and this is reflected in such awards as Hotelier Middle East Awards, Hotelier Saudi Awards and International Hotel Awards – Dubai Africa and Arabia. These awards boast large industry connections and offer businesses the opportunity to gain prestige, exposure and attract new clients regionally as well as globally.

UAE Business Awards and Dubai Awards

If you are looking to enter UAE-specific awards, there are awards such as Best Workplaces in UAE which employs data-based models for quantifying business success and employee satisfaction in the region.

The Make it in the Emirates Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the UAE’s industries, honouring pioneers and organizations driving the nation’s industrial growth. Focusing on four main categories: Factory of the Future, In-Country Value Contribution, Industry Enablers, and Leadership and Talent – any company or individual in the UAE that meets the awards criteria can enter.

Alternatively UAE Business Awards & Service Excellence Awards, hosted by the prestigious Arabian Best of Best Awards, celebrates companies and individuals contributing to economic growth in the UAE.

Now in its 30th year running, The Dubai Quality Award, provides a holistic framework for organisational excellence, and rewards companies displaying sustained continual improvement. Organisations must have a minimum of 3 years of continuous operating history in the UAE, as well as have at least half of the applicant’s employees located and examinable there.

Saudi Arabia Business Awards

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also hosts the Saudi Arabia Business Awards, which is part of the Arabian Best of Best Awards. Nominees have 4 different tiers of awards up for grabs in this generous scheme: including, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Titanium.

The Great Place to Work certification is very well-established globally, but it also includes a regional listing in Saudi Arabia and recognises companies with exceptional workplace cultures, based on employee feedback and organisational practices. The survey and entry process is extensive but it’s an extremely valuable tool for companies to attract and retain top talent.

A diverse range of companies have featured in the list in previous years, such as Chalhoub Group, Hilton, DHL Express, and many others.

Next steps?

In summary, awards stand as a crucial avenue for setting yourself apart in a competitive landscape and gaining well-deserved recognition for accomplishments. At Boost Awards, our specialisation lies in guiding clients through the intricate process of award entries, leveraging our extensive knowledge and in-depth database insight into Middle Eastern awards.

With a proven track record of helping clients in securing over 2,000 credible business awards, we offer our expertise in identifying the most fitting awards within the Middle Eastern region. From curating compelling evidence of success, to crafting tailored and persuasive award entries, our aim is to elevate your chances of success.

Contact us today at Boost Awards for expert guidance on entering and winning Middle Eastern awards, propelling your business to recognition and success in this vibrant market. You can also research other international awards and sign up for our free email deadline reminders here.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you win awards.

Alex.

(C) This article was written by Alex Roebuck and is the intellectual property of award entry consultants Boost Awards