With the announcement of the award categories for the IMI Annual Dinner Awards 2027, we want to make sure everyone making a difference in our sector has the opportunity to be recognised.
What the judges are looking for
Nominating an individual or a business can be surprisingly daunting when presented with that blank space. Writing an industry award nomination isn’t something most of us do in our day-to-day jobs, so it can be hard to know just what to say to give your candidate the best chance of being considered. So, this year, we thought we’d give a brief ‘what does good look like’ guide.
The details matter
First thing’s first. Get some inspiration by having a look at some of our previous winners.
Of course, we’re not expecting a full-length biography, but the more details you provide, the better our judges are informed. To make things easier, you might want to consider breaking down your nomination into certain headings to ensure you don’t miss or undersell achievements.
Know the criteria
Each award is different, and so you’ll need to tailor your nomination to the specific criteria of your category. Take the time to read through what we are looking for in each award. You’ll notice that the nomination criteria are broken down under headings. Consider using these as a way of formatting your nomination. Give a clear account of how your nominee has thrived in these areas, providing as much detail as possible. This is a case where less is more doesn’t necessarily apply. The minimum word count is 600 characters, but that is by no means a limit.
For many of the awards, don’t just think about what your nominee does in the day-to-day but consider how they go above and beyond. For example, have they taken on extra projects that may sit outside their role? Do they support others who may be struggling? When it comes to nominating a business, don’t just focus on the great service they offer their customers, but how they contribute to the wider automotive sector too. For example, are they helping to train in new technologies? Are they doing amazing work in encouraging more to enter the industry?
Evidence
Showing is often better than telling. Whilst we can just take your word for it, your nomination will be all the stronger if you can submit evidence.
If you have documents (such as grades or attendance reports), pictures, articles or videos that demonstrate the hard work and dedication of your nominee and showcases the impact they are making, then be sure to submit them along with your nomination. Signups for specific classes or courses are a great way of showing how much impact a person or business has had in helping to keep industry skills up to date.
Get nominating
Now you have an idea of what a good nomination looks like, get submitting. The six categories for the IMI Annual Dinner and Awards 2027 are:
