Awards of Excellence 2023 Program

IFMA’s Awards of Excellence recognize the outstanding achievements of individual members, chapters, councils, communities and partners. Each year, awards are presented at World Workplace, honoring those who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of the FM profession and the association. Please contact awards@ifma.org if you have questions. This program is open for submissions!

Become a Judge:

If you are interested in participating in the judging process, please click here to complete your request. Include any preferences of which category to judge. If you do not have a preference, you will be randomly assigned to a category.

Judging Panel:

Judges include a body of IFMA champions, component leaders, IFMA Fellows and IFMA staff. Judging panels are composed of qualified volunteers who have demonstrated expertise and practice in the award areas they are to judge. Click here to access judging portal.

Award Categories & Submission Deadlines:

Nomination submissions are due no later than Friday, June 30, 2023 for all awards, except the first nomination phase for the Innovation Award. The full Innovation Award description and timeline can be found at the bottom of this page.

To submit for a category, please click this link to access the nomination form.

 

• Associate Member Award

  Two awards may be presented in this category — one to an international Associate member company or its representative and a second to a chapter- or council-affiliated company or its representative. Each award will be presented in recognition of voluntary contributions to IFMA at the local, regional, national or international level. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Chapter Award for Excellence in Professional Development

  The chapter(s) receiving this award consistently present outstanding programs designed to meet the needs of professional members; provide career support services to membership; supplement monthly programs with seminars or classes taught through local colleges or universities; and champion IFMA’s FMP^®, SFP^® and CFM^® credentials. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Chapter Government Affairs Award

  The Chapter Award in Government Affairs is presented to the chapter(s) that routinely commit their time and resources to further increase recognition of the FM profession on local, regional or national levels of government. Team awards will be judged in the Large Chapter sub-category if there are one or more chapters on the team that fall in the Large Chapter sub-category. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Chapter of the Year Award

  This award recognizes an IFMA chapter in good standing and is split into two categories: chapters with more than 200 members and chapters with 200 or fewer members. These awards will be presented to the two chapters that excel in membership marketing, professional development and communications. Additionally, these chapters meet or exceed membership expectations, are fiscally responsible, communicate to their membership a clear strategic plan and implement its action items. They also maintain quality growth, are innovative in raising funds and have a high percentage of members attending and participating in meetings. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Student Chapter of the Year Award

  The Student Chapter of the Year Award is presented to the IFMA student chapter that best demonstrates an overall commitment to building a future in the facility management profession. This commitment can be demonstrated through the chapter’s educational activities, programs and internships. Innovative ideas such as community outreach programs or assisting local companies to better plan, design and change their facilities will be considered. The judging panel will consist of an IFMA staff member and four IFMA champions. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Chapter Web Communication Award

  The Chapter Award of Excellence in Web Communication is presented to the chapter(s) that provide comprehensive web-based communication to their members that informs them of chapter activities, related events and opportunities. The ability to meet the needs of the viewer, appearance, quality, resources and continual improvement will be reviewed. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Council or Community Award for Excellence in Communications

  The Council or Community Award of Excellence in Communications is presented to the IFMA council or community that communicates regularly to its members regarding council activities. Communications quality, resources and continued improvement will be reviewed. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Council or Community Award for Excellence in Programs and Professional Development

  The Council or Community Award of Excellence for Programs and Professional Development is presented to the IFMA council or community demonstrating exceptional support of professional development in its facility management community. The council receiving this award consistently presents outstanding programs designed to meet the needs of professional members. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Council or Community of the Year Award

  The Council or Community of the Year Award is presented to the IFMA council or community that has excelled in communication, membership marketing and educational programming. This award will be presented to the council that has best provided networking opportunities and contributed to the education and information exchange of its members. The council will be reviewed on fiscal responsibility and the ability to communicate industry-specific information to the membership. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Distinguished Author Award: Article or Research Paper

  The Distinguished Author Awards may be presented in three distinct categories: a specific facility management article or research paper; a book on current topic(s) relevant to facility management; and/or instructional materials for facility management students and practitioners. Articles or papers must have been published in 2021, 2022 or 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Distinguished Author Award: Book or Instructional Material

  The Distinguished Author Awards may be presented in three distinct categories: a specific facility management article or research paper; a book on current topic(s) relevant to facility management; instructional materials for facility management students and practitioners; and/or web and social media relevant to facility management. All material must have been published in 2021, 2022 or 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Distinguished Author Award: Web Based / Social Media

  The Distinguished Author Awards may be presented in three distinct categories: a specific facility management article or research paper; a book on current topic(s) relevant to facility management; instructional materials for facility management students and practitioners; and/or web and social media relevant to facility management. All material must have been published in 2021, 2022 or 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Distinguished Member Award

  This award is the second highest form of recognition given to an IFMA member (the most prestigious title bestowed by the Association is that of IFMA Fellow). The Distinguished Member Award is presented to a Professional or Associate member who has provided sustained, outstanding leadership to an IFMA chapter, council, or community, and the Association at the international level. This person is highly valued by his or her company, IFMA and the facility management profession. This individual keeps current on changes in the facility management profession and educates other IFMA members and peers. Recipients demonstrate the best in leadership and ethics. The judging panel will consist of four IFMA Fellows and the immediate past-chair of IFMA. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Educator Member Award

  The Educator Award recognizes excellence in developing curriculum and instructing students in subjects related to facility management at a college, university or institute. The recipient will have gained prominence in his or her field through activities such as writing and publishing papers, making presentations to professional organizations, mentoring, IFMA student chapter involvement and overall teaching quality. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• Emerging Professional Award

  The Emerging Professional Member Award is presented to a Professional or Associate member who has provided leadership to a chapter, council, community and/or the Association, and/or other professional organizations. This person is advancing his or her career through projects at work and/or during an internship. This individual keeps current on changes in the facility management profession and actively networks with other IFMA members and peers. The judging panel will consist of one IFMA staff and four IFMA champions. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• The George Graves Award for Facility Management Achievement

  This award recognizes an individual or team whose facility management program or idea has had a substantial positive effect on contributing to the success of their organization. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

• The Sheila Sheridan Award for Sustainable Facility Operations and Management

  This award recognizes an individual or team that demonstrates an outstanding example of strategic sustainable operations and management initiatives that have led to successful tactical and operational adjustments in the management of a facility, including stakeholder engagement, overall performance, energy efficiency, innovation, audits and reporting, and long-term solutions for facility management success. This category encourages, rewards and recognizes excellence, leadership and innovation for the operation of environmentally responsible and sustainably managed buildings. The recipient(s) will demonstrate how their sustainable facility management program or idea has had a substantial positive effect on contributing to the success of their organization. Submittal covers activities from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You must be an IFMA member to submit a nomination. As the nominator, all communications regarding this entry will be directed to you.

 

The Facility Management Innovation Award – NO LONGER Accepting Nominations!  

Introduced in 2016, the premise of this award is to recognize projects that are new, exciting, cost-efficient and replicable; that are beyond the leading edge of standard facility management practices. The award is designed to foster creative thinking and innovative practices that will lead facility managers into the future.** Note: The Innovation Award includes 2 phases; please note the below timeline for each phase. **

• • • Innovation Award (Phase 1) – MUST SUBMIT TO PHASE 1 TO BE CONSIDERED –  No Longer Accepting Nominations!
      
      Phase 1 – Executive summary of project.
    • Innovation Award Phase 1 Requirements:
      • • Award nominations should demonstrate creativity, quality, and innovation within the context of advancing and promoting Facility Management globally.
        • Submittals must cover projects completed within 12 months prior to March 2023
        • Nominee must be an IFMA member and on the project team
        • Innovation should be focused on facilities or facility practice
        • Collaboration between service providers and facility professionals is encouraged
        • Winner of this award will be expected to present an educational session regarding their submission at World Workplace.
        • Include any service providers involved in project.
        • If applicable, complete information below. (max. 250 words):
          • Company Name
          • Contact Name
          • Address
          • City/State/Zip
          • Phone
          • Email Address
          • Description of services/products
          • Approximate cost of services/products
          • Level of importance to project’s success (1 very important, 5 not very important).

• • Innovation Award (Phase 2)
    
    Phase 1 – In-depth proposal of project. Innovation Award Phase 2 Requirements:
    • • Successful advancement from Phase 1.

 

• Innovation Award Submission and Judging Process:
  
  • Submission process open online on Feb. 22, 2023.
  • Phase 1: Submissions for this award category only are due by Friday, April  28, 2023.
    • Judging committee (Fellow, an IFMA Past Chair, Component Leader, IFMA staff member and winner of similar award) to review submissions and select up to 5 finalists.
    • Finalists will be notified by May 22, 2023, with information regarding Phase 2 requirements.
  • Phase 2: Submissions for this category only will open on May 22, 2023,  and final submissions will need to be submitted by June 30, 2023.
    • The Innovation Award winner will be announced tentatively the week of October 22, 2023.