Just desserts

What’s the point of entering an award? For a long time, I didn’t think of them as important. Admittedly, I’ve never won one, and like other losers, I may just be kidding myself that I don’t care.

But, for the winners of the awards we run under the Construction Week banner, recognition by their peers matters a great deal.

This was first brought home to me a couple of years ago. A gentleman, with about 25 years’ experience under his belt and a swathe of positive references from well-known construction firms, had been entered for an individual award by his employer.

Inclusion of the right detail, swiftly outlining his achievements during a long career, supported by specific project references, caught the judges’ eyes. In an otherwise long debate about entries, he was the clear and unanimous winner of his category.

On the night of the ceremony, this stern looking chap made his way up on stage, collected his award and remained unsmiling behind his moustache. He walked off stage and, like all winners, was ushered out for a quick photo shoot and short interview so we could get a few reaction quotes for our post-awards coverage.

While most attendees were inside tucking into lamb chops and wondering what was for pudding, this experienced and serious project manager was outside, barely holding in his tears. We were all a bit taken aback.

He saw the award as recognition for years of hard work and dedication. With pride in his career and the contribution he had made to the success of his employer, the award enabled these facts to be recognised in front of an audience of his peers and industry power players. He was, quite literally, overwhelmed.

After this, I saw awards in a different light. The recognition they bring really matters to the winners, whether companies or individuals.

On the flip side, a company from the more temperamental end of the industry failed to win anything three years ago, and has not entered again since; indulging instead in a 1000 day sulk. This shows what a big deal winning, or not, can be. Though as they say, you have to be in it to win it.

This year Construction Week is running two parallel programmes: a GCC-wide award rewarding projects and contractors in Dubai on November 23; and one rewarding the broad design and construction industry in Saudi Arabia, with a ceremony in Riyadh in December.

We’re taking entries now – details can be found at constructionweekonline.com/cwawards – and both events will culminate in a gala awards dinner, plus extensive coverage online and in print, in our English and Arabic editions.

The events are an opportunity to network, socialise and in the case of the winners, be recognised, as well as enjoy a nice night out.

There are a dozen or more categories to choose from in each award. Get the content of your entry right and, with any luck, you’ll come away from the event with more than just desserts.