1. Clear Evidence of Excellence: Specific, quantifiable proof that the nominated project or organisation stands above industry norms.
2. Innovation and Leadership: Genuine contributions to the advancement of the sector — through design, technology, sustainability or business model.
3. Client and Community Impact: Clear articulation of positive outcomes delivered for clients, occupiers or communities.
4. Sustainability Credentials: ESG performance is a core scoring criterion. Verifiable credentials are essential.
5. Financial Performance: For corporate and investment categories, financial discipline and return metrics matter.
6. Quality of Presentation: Compelling photography, clear writing and well-organised supporting materials make a strong first impression.
7. Category Relevance: Entries that closely match stated category criteria score higher than broadly worded submissions.
Vague descriptions without supporting evidence are the most common reason nominations are not shortlisted.
Avoid marketing language — jury members are industry experts who see through promotional writing.
Neglecting ESG content is increasingly costly, as sustainability is now a core criterion across all categories.
Poor quality photography significantly reduces the perceived quality of an otherwise strong submission.