About the Awards · 01
Award Programs
Golden Tree Events LLC, headquartered in Dubai, operates 17 internationally recognised award programmes for organisations and leaders. Every programme follows the same merit-based selection process, and winners of all programmes are celebrated together at the annual gala in Dubai.
Thirteen business award programmes recognise organisations, properties, products and services — from hotels, restaurants and spas to technology, real estate, beauty and regional excellence across every industry. Every programme follows the same merit-based selection process, and winners are celebrated together at the annual gala in Dubai.
Four leadership award programmes recognise the people behind the results — chief executives, general managers, entrepreneurs and women leaders — on their role, achievements and the organisation they lead. Every programme follows the same merit-based selection process, and winners are celebrated together at the annual gala in Dubai.
The award programmes
The business award programmes
The leadership award programmes
International Travel Awards
International Restaurant Awards
International Spa & Beauty Awards
World Technology Awards
World Real Estate Excellence Awards
World Beauty Awards
Arabian Best of Best Awards
Europe Best of Best Awards
UK Best of Best Awards
Asia Best of Best Awards
America Best of Best Awards
Oceania Best of Best Awards
World Best of Best Awards
World CEO Awards
World GM Awards
Golden Entrepreneur Awards
Golden Women Awards
Hotel programmes also include the World 5 Star Hotel Awards, run with the International Travel Awards.
The programme portfolio
Hospitality & Tourism
Hotels, resorts, travel, restaurants, spas and wellnessIndustry-specific
Sector programmes for specialist businessesRegional Best of Best
All industries, by regionLeadership (individuals)
Recognising the people behind the resultsWho is recognised
By role, in any industry- Chief executives, founders and managing directors — World CEO Awards
- General managers of properties, units and operations — World GM Awards
- Entrepreneurs building and scaling ventures — Golden Entrepreneur Awards
- Women leaders across business and the professions — Golden Women Awards
What every programme has in common
One selection standard
- Published criteria for businesses and for individuals.
- Evaluation by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree.
- No public, audience or paid voting.
Global reach, local relevance
- Categories at City, Country, Regional and World level.
- Nominees compete within their own competition level.
- Winners listed in a permanent winners directory.
Independence
- Commercial activity is administered separately from evaluation.
- Sponsors do not take part in the programmes.
- Every decision is documented from nomination to trophy.
One gala, every programme
- Winners of all programmes are celebrated at the Dubai gala.
- Recognition continues year-round: press, directory, networking.
About the Awards · 02
Schedule 2027
Award Year 2027 runs on a monthly schedule. Nominations received in a calendar month are reviewed during the following month, and the winners of that month are confirmed and notified privately on the 10th of the month after. All 2027 winners are celebrated at the Global Gala Ceremony in Dubai.
Free to nominate · judged on merit · no public voting
About the Awards · 03
Award Categories
Each programme carries a structured set of categories so that a nominee is judged against what it actually does, in the market where it actually competes — never against unrelated businesses.
Two families of categories
Business & organisation categories
Leadership categories
Business & organisation categories
- For companies, properties, products and services — for example “Best Boutique Hotel”, “Best Fintech Company”, “Leading Real Estate Developer”.
- Grouped by industry and sector, so a hotel is compared with hotels and a clinic with clinics.
Typical business categories
- Hospitality: Best Luxury Hotel, Best Boutique Hotel, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Spa Resort.
- Industry: Best Fintech Company, Most Innovative Technology Company, Leading Real Estate Developer, Best Skincare Brand.
- Regional Best of Best: the best company of an industry in its city, country or region.
Leadership categories
- For individuals in the World CEO, World GM, Golden Entrepreneur and Golden Women Awards — for example “CEO of the Year – Technology”.
- Judged on the person’s role, achievements and the organisation they lead.
Typical leadership categories
- CEO of the Year by industry — Technology, Healthcare, Real Estate, Hospitality, Finance.
- General Manager of the Year — luxury hotels, resorts, restaurants, operations.
- Entrepreneur of the Year and Woman Leader of the Year by industry and region.
Competition level
Every category is contested at a competition level. The nomination plan sets the highest level a nominee can enter; selection within a level is always on merit.
How a category is chosen
- Submit the nomination form first — it takes two minutes and asks for no category.
- Then choose the category in your Award Portal. The portal shows the categories of your programme by industry, with the strongest matches for your business highlighted.
- Then choose the category in your Award Portal. The portal shows the leadership categories of your programme by industry, with the strongest matches for the nominee’s role highlighted.
- Our team can suggest a category if none seems right, and may assign the most appropriate winning category at the Finalist stage.
- The Free plan covers one programme and one category per company per award year; paid plans add programmes and categories.
Category rules
- A category must describe the nominee’s main activity — not a secondary line of business.
- Business categories are never used for individuals, and leadership categories never for companies.
- A nomination that fits no existing category can be matched to a new, more precise one by our team.
About the Awards · 04
Selection Criteria
Recognition based on merit, selection based on performance. Every nomination is reviewed against the criteria relevant to its award, industry, category and competition level, using the achievements, performance and evidence the nominee submits.
Our commitment
Paying a nomination fee, ordering a Winner Package or attending a gala ceremony does not guarantee or influence selection as a winner. Commercial activities are administered separately from evaluation and carry no weight in the outcome of any nomination.
Criteria for businesses & organisations
Nine criteria, applied according to the relevance of each award programme and category. No fixed percentage weighting is published or applied, so the chart presents the criteria equally.
What each criterion covers
- Business performance — growth, operating and market performance, measurable results, sustainability of the business.
- Customer experience — satisfaction, service quality, retention, reputation, guest / client experience.
- Innovation — innovative products and services, technology adoption, process improvement, new business models.
- Leadership & management — management quality, strategy, execution, team development.
- Market impact — industry contribution, market influence, brand strength, competitive positioning.
- Quality & excellence — quality standards, consistency, operational and professional standards.
- Growth & achievement — major milestones, expansion, accreditations where relevant, measurable progress.
- Sustainability / social impact — environmental responsibility, social contribution, community impact.
- Supporting evidence — measurable data, documents, media, client evidence, certifications, verifiable information.
Each bar lists the indicators the published criteria name for that criterion; a longer bar simply carries more indicators. The criteria are applied according to the relevance of each award programme and category — not by a fixed weighting.
● primary evidence · ○ supporting evidence. A guide to what usually demonstrates each criterion — not a scoring key. Only evidence submitted with the nomination (and, for business awards, the company’s own website) is considered.
Evidence for a business award is drawn from the company’s own website and the material submitted with the nomination.
Criteria for individuals (leadership programmes)
Nine criteria for the World CEO, World GM, Golden Entrepreneur and Golden Women Awards, applied according to the role and the programme. No fixed percentage weighting is published or applied, so the chart presents the criteria equally.
What each criterion covers
- Leadership excellence — leadership ability, vision, strategic direction, decision-making, ability to inspire teams.
- Career & professional achievement — significant achievements, professional milestones, recognised accomplishments, career progression.
- Business / organisational impact — measurable contribution, growth generated, organisational transformation, operational impact.
- Innovation & transformation — new ideas, transformation initiatives, technology adoption, process innovation.
- Industry contribution — contribution to the industry, thought leadership, professional influence, industry advancement.
- Team & people development — mentoring, employee development, culture, leadership pipeline, talent development.
- Social / community impact — community contribution, social impact, sustainability, inclusion, charitable or developmental initiatives.
- Personal brand & professional reputation — professional standing, credibility, public reputation, industry recognition.
- Supporting evidence — measurable achievements, testimonials where appropriate, documents, links, media, professional evidence.
Each bar lists the indicators the published criteria name for that criterion; a longer bar simply carries more indicators. Criteria are applied according to the role and the programme — not by a fixed weighting.
● primary evidence · ○ supporting evidence. A guide to what usually demonstrates each criterion — not a scoring key. Only the nominee’s professional profile and the material submitted with the nomination are considered.
Evidence for a leadership award is drawn from the nominee’s professional (LinkedIn) profile and the material submitted with the nomination. No fixed percentage weighting is published or applied.
What decides the result
Commercial activities are administered separately from evaluation and carry no weight in the outcome of any nomination.
What influences a result — and what does not
Influences winner selection
- Nominee achievements
- Business performance
- Leadership impact
- Innovation
- Supporting evidence
- Category relevance
- Jury / management evaluation
Does not influence winner selection
- Nomination payment or plan
- Winner Package order
- Gala ticket purchase
- Sponsorship or advertising
- Commercial relationship
- Size of any purchase
- Public votes, likes or followers
About the Awards · 05
Jury Review
Every nomination travels through the same seven stages. Depending on the programme, the review is conducted by the Jury team, by the authorised management evaluation team of Golden Tree, or by both in different stages — always against the published criteria and only on the information submitted.
- New nominationReceived and registered against the award programme
- Profile completionNominee profile, category and supporting information completed in the Award Portal
- Team approvalEligibility and profile suitability reviewed
- Final jury dataAny additional information required for evaluation collected
- Jury / management reviewScored against the applicable criteria
- FinalistStrong eligible nominations confirmed as official finalists
- Winner or closedA finalist is assigned its winning category, or the nomination is closed with a reason
Stages are sequential. A nomination may be closed with a recorded reason at any stage if it does not meet the applicable criteria. Finalists are confirmed before any winner is announced.
What the reviewers look at
- The completed nominee profile: what the business or leader does, where, for whom and at what scale.
- The completed nominee profile and the company’s own website: what the business does, where, for whom and at what scale.
- The completed nominee profile and the nominee’s professional (LinkedIn) profile: role, organisation led, scale and tenure.
- Achievements and results — financial outcomes, growth, innovation outcomes, leadership milestones, impact reports.
- Supporting evidence uploaded with the nomination: documents, data, media, client evidence, certifications.
- Fit with the chosen category and competition level — entries are compared within their own category, never across unrelated fields.
How a nomination is scored
Scoring uses only the facts, claims and materials in the submission. No points are assigned for general reputation, activity outside the nomination, promotional effort or external influence.
Principles of the review
- Independent. The review operates separately from sales and partnerships; sponsors do not participate.
- Structured. Eligible nominations progress through the established stages in order.
- Merit only. Fees, packages, sponsorship or gala purchases do not determine selection.
- Documented. Every decision is recorded, so any outcome can be traced end to end.
- Confidential. Winners are notified privately before the public reveal at the gala.
Join the jury
Sector specialists with senior industry experience can apply to join the Golden Tree jury.
Nomination process, step by step → · How entries are judged →
About the Awards · 06
Voting
There is no voting in the Golden Tree Awards. Winners are not decided by public votes, audience votes, social-media popularity or paid votes — they are selected on merit by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree.
Never part of the process
- Public or online voting
- Audience or popularity votes
- Paid votes or voting campaigns
- Social-media likes, shares or followers
- Sponsor or partner influence
What decides a winner
- The published selection criteria
- Achievements, performance and impact
- Evidence submitted with the nomination
- Fit with category and competition level
- Evaluation by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree
Why there is no voting
Voting rewards reach, budgets and campaigning rather than achievement. A merit review of submitted evidence gives a small specialist business the same chance as a global brand, and gives buyers, investors, employees and the media a result they can trust. Nominees are never asked to collect votes.
About the Awards · 07
Gala Ceremony
Winners of every programme are celebrated together at the Golden Tree Awards gala in Dubai — a black-tie evening of award presentations, networking with industry leaders, stage moments, photographs, interviews and entertainment. Winners are notified privately before the ceremony; the public reveal happens on stage.
Date & venue
Gala passes are included in the Winner Package by tier (complimentary, first-come-first-served). Participation details, dress code and the final programme are shared with confirmed winners.
Agenda & activities
- Red-carpet arrivalRegistration, welcome drinks and the winners’ photo wall
- Networking with leadersMeet CEOs, GMs, founders and award winners from every region
- Opening & welcomeOpening address and the evening’s programme
- Award presentationWinners called to the stage, trophies presented programme by programme
- Share your success storyWinner’s moment on stage and the speech video
- Photo & video sessionOfficial photographers, stage and photo-wall moments
- Interview sessionOn-camera winner interviews for the award channels
- Gala dinner & entertainmentDinner with live performances
- Closing networkingIntroductions, partnerships and the after-ceremony networking
The final agenda and timings are confirmed to winners ahead of each ceremony.
What happens on the night
Networking with leaders
- Winners, founders, CEOs and general managers from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas in one room.
Share your success story
- Your moment on stage to tell the story behind the win; recorded as a winner’s speech video on the higher packages.
Award presentation
- Trophy, plaque and medal presented on stage, programme by programme, with your winning category announced.
Photos & video session
- Official photographers and videographers cover the stage, the photo wall and the evening; the gallery is published after the ceremony.
Interview session
- Short on-camera interviews with winners for the award websites, social channels and the digital magazine.
Entertainment
- Live performances through the gala dinner and the evening’s programme.
Gala dinner
- A seated gala dinner with priority seating for the higher Winner Package tiers.
Photo wall & stage branding
- Winner branding on the photo wall and the stage LED for the top tier; your logo in the room where it matters.
Media & social coverage
- Highlights, winner announcements and interviews published across the award channels and the digital magazine.
Business introductions
- Curated introductions between winners, partners and guests — the conversations that open new markets.
Past year highlights
Two previous gala ceremonies — the videos play here on this page.
Fee / Cost Involved · 08
Nomination Fee
Nomination is free. There is no nomination fee and no registration fee. Paid nomination plans exist for nominees who want more programmes, more categories, a higher competition level and promotional visibility — they never influence the evaluation.
Nomination is FREE — for a limited time
The complimentary nomination plan is a limited-time offer. It can be withdrawn at any time and without prior notice; once it ends, participation in an award programme starts from USD 170. Every nomination submitted while the offer is open remains free — nothing to pay at nomination, nothing to pay for registration, and nothing further unless you are selected as a winner.
A free nomination is evaluated on merit, exactly like a paid one. Secure your place in the 2027 award year while the offer stands.
Nominate Free NowThe Free plan
- One award programme, one category, City-level competition — for one company per award year.
- Exactly the same evaluation as a paid plan: the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree review every nomination the same way.
- If the nominee is selected as a winner, a Winner Package order is mandatory to activate the award title, logo rights, trophy and certificate (see section 09).
- The Free plan is not available to a nominee previously declared a winner who did not order a Winner Package; such nominations are accepted under a paid plan, from USD 170 per award participation.
Paid plans add
- More award programmes and more categories per award.
- Country-level competition (Silver, Gold) and Regional-level competition (Diamond, Platinum).
- Promotional visibility: featured nominee listing, links to your website and social media, social-media posts and, on Platinum, an exclusive success-story article.
- Fees are non-refundable; if the nominee is not selected, the fee can be used once as a credit towards a nomination in the following award year.
Nomination Plan pricing — comparison
Nomination is free. The Free plan is the default for every nominee. The paid plans are optional upgrades for nominees who want more programmes and categories, a higher competition level and promotional visibility — the evaluation is identical on every plan.
| Benefit | FreeFREE · default | Silver | Gold | Diamond | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination plan price (USD) | FREE | 170 | 299 | 650 | 980 |
| Award programmes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Categories per award | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Total categories you can enter | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| Competition level | City | Country | Country | Country / Regional | City / Country / Regional |
| Featured in the nominees section | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Link to your website & social media | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social-media post (Instagram & LinkedIn) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Winner Package if selected as a winner | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
Plan rows are read live from the CRM pricing table; all prices in USD, per plan. Payment of a nomination fee does not influence the reviewers and does not guarantee shortlisting or winning. Nomination fees are non-refundable.
Fee / Cost Involved · 09
Winner Package Cost
Winning is decided on merit; the Winner Package is what turns that decision into an accolade you can use. It activates your winning category, grants the licence to the award name, title and logo, and delivers the trophy, certificate, gala experience and promotion — five tiers from USD 820 to USD 3,860, ordered once per award programme after the winner announcement. Prices and the full inclusion comparison are in Winner Package Inclusions.
From confirmed winner to published win
What the Winner Package activates
Activates your winning category
- Your award title in the winning category becomes official and is published in the winners’ directory.
- Without a package the title is not activated and lapses after the 10-day window.
Rights to use the award name, title & logo
- A licence to use the official award name, your winner title and the award logo across your website, marketing, PR, social media, e-mail signatures and profiles.
- Brand-safe, verified files — the rights that let you announce the win legitimately.
Official recognition items
- Digital winner certificate and badge on every tier; crystal trophy, A3 plaque and medal on higher tiers.
- Each item is personalised with your name, category and award year.
Gala ceremony & stage
- Complimentary gala passes by tier; your moment on stage with the trophy.
- Priority seating, a speech video and photo-wall / stage-LED branding on the top tiers.
Promotion & visibility
- Digital magazine feature, highlight on the award website and social-media posts.
- A permanent profile and success-story options that keep working after the ceremony.
Digital authority
- Links from the award websites to your website and social profiles strengthen your authority with search engines and AI search assistants.
Mandatory for every confirmed winner
Ordering a Winner Package is mandatory to activate the award title. Winners have 10 days from the official announcement to order; one package covers one award programme, however many categories were won in it. Ordering never influences who wins — selection is decided on merit before any package is offered.
Reserved exclusively for official winners
Selected on merit alone
- Every winner is chosen solely through the official selection process.
Confirmed winners only
- A package can be ordered only after the official winner announcement.
Not open to all participants
- Packages are offered to winners only — never to every nominee.
No pre-orders
- Ordering or reserving a package at the time of nomination is not permitted.
Winner Package — important notes
- Ordering a Winner Package is mandatory once you are confirmed as a winner — it activates the award title, logo rights, trophy and certificate.
- Order within 10 days of the official announcement; otherwise Golden Tree may cancel the title and assign it to the next standing nominee, and complimentary participation in future programmes is lost.
- A win may not be published, announced or claimed — on a website, social media, marketing, PR or profiles — before a Winner Package is ordered. If no package is ordered, every reference to the award, title and logo must be removed within 15 days.
- One award title corresponds to one Winner Package; several categories won within one programme need only one package.
- The package is 100% non-refundable once paid: production of personalised items and the grant of branding rights begin immediately.
- Physical items are shipped at additional cost or collected at the gala ceremony. Gala passes are complimentary and first-come-first-served, with no refund if unused.
- Award title, logo and branding rights apply only once the Winner Package is ordered and approved for its tier. Winner Package terms & conditions apply.
Prices and inclusions by tier ↓ · Winner Package page and terms →
Fee / Cost Involved · 10
Winner Package Inclusions
Five tiers, one decision: how much visibility you want from your win. Every package combines the official branding rights with digital and physical recognition; each step up adds gala passes, larger features and greater visibility. The comparison below is the complete picture — prices and inclusions, tier by tier, all in USD.
Price & inclusions by tier
Read across a row to see which packages carry an inclusion, and down a column to see everything a package includes. Physical items are shipped at additional cost or collected at the gala; gala passes are complimentary and first-come-first-served.
| Inclusion | Digital | Classic | Deluxe | Super Deluxe | Royal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | 820 | 1,640 | 2,200 | 2,740 | 3,860 |
| Rights to use the award title, logo and name | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Digital winner certificate, badge & e-mail signature | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Winners’ directory listing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Digital magazine feature | ½ page | 1 page | 2 pages | 3 pages | 4 pages |
| Gala passes (complimentary) | — | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Winner plaque (A3) | — | Black acrylic | — | Gold colour | Gold colour |
| Winner trophy & medal | — | — | Crystal trophy + medal | Trophy + medal | Trophy + medal |
| Highlight on the award website | — | Home page | Featured + website link | Branding on home page | Branding on home page |
| Social-media posts | — | — | Facebook & Instagram | Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn | All channels |
| Winner’s speech video | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding on photo wall & stage LED | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Links to your website and social profiles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The recognition items
Crystal trophy
- 12-inch crystal trophy engraved with the winner’s name, category and award year; a distinctive design for leadership honourees.
Winner plaque
- A3 plaque in black acrylic or gold colour by tier, for office, reception or property display.
Winner medal
- A commemorative medal personalised for the honouree.
Certificate & badge
- Official digital certificate and winner badge for your website, e-mail signature and social profiles — on every tier.
Each package includes one physical item of each type listed; additional trophies, plaques or medals can be ordered at extra cost. The magazine is digital.
Fee / Cost Involved · 11
Important Notes
The points participants most often ask about before nominating. The full Terms & Conditions, Winner Package terms and Refund Policy apply to every nomination and order; the Winner Package notes sit with the Winner Package Cost section above.
Nomination
- Nomination is free: no nomination fee, no registration fee. Paid plans are for additional participation and visibility only.
- Selection is 100% merit-based; no payment, sponsorship, recommendation or vote influences the outcome.
- One award programme per company per award year on the Free plan; winners who order a Winner Package remain eligible to nominate in the following years.
- A nominee previously declared a winner who did not order a Winner Package is not eligible for the Free plan (paid plans from USD 170 per award participation apply).
- Information submitted must be accurate and verifiable; a nomination may be closed at any stage with a recorded reason.
- Nomination fees are non-refundable; an unsuccessful paid nomination carries a one-time credit towards the following award year.
Selection & participation
- Winners are selected by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree against the published criteria; there is no public, audience or paid voting.
- A nomination may be closed at any stage with a recorded reason; finalists are confirmed before any winner is announced.
- Winners are notified privately by e-mail on the announcement date of their nomination window, ahead of the public reveal at the gala.
- The limited-time free nomination offer can be withdrawn at any time; nominations already submitted under it remain free.
- The Winner Package notes — mandatory order, the 10-day window, publication rights and refunds — are listed under Winner Package Cost.
- Gala attendance is not a condition of winning; participation details are shared with confirmed winners.
Terms & Conditions → · Winner Package terms → · Privacy Notice →
FAQs · 12
About Nomination
Who can nominate?
Any organisation or individual may submit a nomination — self-nominations and nominations of another company or leader are both accepted. The nomination form asks for the nominee, the award programme and the nominator’s contact details.
Can I nominate myself or my own company?
Yes. Self-nominations are evaluated exactly like third-party nominations, against the same criteria and evidence.
Are individual leaders eligible as well as companies?
Yes. The World CEO, World GM, Golden Entrepreneur and Golden Women Awards recognise individuals; every other programme recognises organisations, properties, products and services.
Can a newly launched business or a newly appointed leader be nominated?
Yes, provided the nomination can show achievements and evidence relevant to the chosen category. New businesses compete in their own category and competition level.
What information and documentation is required?
A completed nominee profile, the achievements being put forward and supporting evidence such as results, documents, media, client evidence or certifications. Leadership nominations also include the nominee’s role and professional profile.
How long does the process take?
Nominations received in a calendar month are reviewed during the following month, and the winners of that month are notified privately on the 10th of the month after. Winners of the award year are celebrated at the gala in Dubai.
Do I have to attend the gala?
Gala attendance is not a condition of winning. Winners are notified privately before the public reveal, and the gala passes included in a Winner Package are complimentary and optional to use.
Can I nominate in more than one programme or category?
The Free plan covers one award programme and one category per company per award year. Paid plans add programmes and categories — up to three programmes with three categories each on Platinum.
Can a product, project or property be nominated rather than the whole company?
Yes. Business categories cover companies, properties, products and services. Nominate the entity the category describes — a hotel, a restaurant, a product line, a development project — and provide the evidence for that entity.
Who can nominate a CEO, general manager, entrepreneur or woman leader?
The leader, their organisation, a colleague, a board member, a client or a partner. The nomination names the individual, their role and the organisation they lead; the evidence is the nominee’s professional profile and achievements.
What is the difference between the World CEO Awards and the World GM Awards?
The World CEO Awards recognise chief executives, founders and managing directors who lead an organisation as a whole. The World GM Awards recognise general managers who run a property, unit, plant or operation. A leader is nominated in the programme that matches their role.
FAQs · 13
Selection Process
Is the evaluation merit-based?
Yes. Every nomination is assessed on the achievements, performance, impact and evidence submitted, against the published criteria for its award, industry, category and competition level.
Who reviews the nominations?
The Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree, according to the award programme. In some programmes the jury are subject specialists; in others a dedicated internal evaluation team reviews the entries; sometimes both are involved in different stages.
Is there any public voting?
No. Public voting, audience voting, social-media popularity and paid voting form no part of the process.
Does paying increase my chances of winning?
No. Nomination fees pay for participation and promotional services only; the reviewers do not see which plan a nominee holds, and no payment, package or sponsorship can guarantee shortlisting, selection or winning.
Do you visit the business or sample the product?
Evaluation is based on the submitted nomination: the profile, achievements and supporting evidence. Verifiable documents, data and media carry the weight; reviewers do not rely on general reputation or on activity outside the submission.
What happens if my nomination is not selected?
The nomination is closed with a recorded reason. Paid promotional benefits remain in place, and a paid nomination fee can be used once as a credit towards a nomination in the following award year.
Can I become a juror?
Sector specialists with senior industry experience can apply through the jury sign-up page. Jury members operate independently of sales and partnerships.
FAQs · 14
Nomination Fee
Is there a nomination fee?
No. Nomination is free — there is no nomination fee and no registration fee. The Free plan covers one award programme in one category at City level, with a mandatory Winner Package order if you are selected as a winner. Paid plans start with Silver at USD 170.
What do the paid plans add?
More award programmes and categories, Country-level competition (Regional level on Diamond and Platinum), and promotional benefits such as a featured nominee listing, links to your website and social media, social-media posts and — on Platinum — an exclusive success-story article.
Does a nomination plan include a Winner Package?
No. Nomination fees cover the nomination process and the promotional benefits of the plan only. Winner Packages are separate and become available only to nominees selected as winners.
Can I upgrade my plan later?
Yes. You can move to a higher plan from your Award Portal while nominations are open; the added capacity activates as soon as payment is received and your existing entries stay in place.
Are nomination fees refundable?
All nomination and registration fees are non-refundable once paid, in line with the Refund Policy and the Terms and Conditions. An unsuccessful paid nomination carries a one-time, non-transferable credit towards the following award year.
Who cannot use the Free plan?
A nominee previously declared a winner who did not order a Winner Package. Such nominations are accepted under a paid plan, from USD 170 per award participation.
FAQs · 15
Winner Package Cost
Is ordering a Winner Package mandatory?
Yes. Winning is a jury- or management-confirmed achievement, but to officially claim it a Winner Package must be ordered. The package unlocks the right to use the award name, title and logo, delivers the trophy, plaque and certificate, and lets you announce the win to clients, partners and media.
How much does a Winner Package cost?
Five tiers are available: Digital USD 820, Classic USD 1,640, Deluxe USD 2,200, Super Deluxe USD 2,740 and Royal USD 3,860 (all prices in USD). Physical items are shipped at additional cost or collected at the gala.
What happens if I do not order within 10 days?
Winners have 10 days from the official announcement to order. After that, Golden Tree reserves the right to cancel the title and award it to the next standing nominee, and the winner permanently loses eligibility to take part in the programmes on a complimentary basis.
Can I publish my win without a Winner Package?
No. The win may not be published, announced, displayed or otherwise claimed — and the award name, title or logo may not be used — until a Winner Package has been ordered, because the package is what grants those rights.
If I win several categories, do I need several packages?
No. One Winner Package covers the whole programme, however many categories were won within it. One package is required per award programme.
Is the Winner Package refundable?
No. The package is 100% non-refundable once paid: each order immediately starts personalised production of the trophy, plaque and certificate and grants the branding rights.
Does ordering a package affect who wins?
Never. Winners are selected purely on merit by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree before any package is offered; only confirmed winners can order, and only after the announcement.
Can I order extra trophies, plaques or medals?
Yes. Beyond what the tier includes, additional items can be ordered at extra cost — for offices, branches or team members.