What to Expect at a Business Awards Night

So, you’re off to an awards night. If it’s your first, you probably have all sorts of questions: who will be there, what to wear, how the evening runs and what happens if your name is called. Here’s what to expect, from the drinks reception to the after-party.

Who goes to a business awards night?

A business awards night brings together people with very different reasons for being in the room:

• finalists, usually with a table of colleagues, waiting to hear if they’ve won
• business leaders and executives representing their companies
• sponsors, who often present the award for the category they support
• judges, who are often in the room on the night
• industry guests, investors and media, there to celebrate and network

The organiser and a host, often a comedian or broadcaster, keep the evening on schedule.

What to wear to an awards evening

The invitation or event website will usually state a dress code. Evening awards dinners are often black tie or formal; daytime ceremonies are usually business dress. Wear shoes you can stand in for hours, and if you’re a finalist, shoes you can walk up the stage steps in. For every dress code and what it means, see my guide to what to wear to an awards ceremony.

How a corporate awards ceremony runs

Every awards night is different in some way, but most follow the same shape. Timings vary, so check your ticket, but a typical UK awards evening looks something like this:

1. Early evening: arrival and drinks reception
2. About an hour later: guests are seated and dinner is served
3. After the main course or dessert: the awards presentations
4. Late evening: entertainment, the bar and dancing, often until midnight or later

Drinks reception

The evening usually begins with a drinks reception, often around a bar or in a foyer. It’s the most relaxed time to network, before everyone is seated. Sponsors and finalists may also be invited to have photos taken in front of the event backdrop.

Dinner

Guests are then seated for a three- or four-course meal. Tables usually seat around ten, and finalists often sit with their own team or alongside other guests from their sector. There may be a welcome from the host and a keynote speaker during dinner.

The awards presentations

Then comes the highlight of the evening. The host introduces each category, the finalists are read out, often with a short video or slide, and the winner is announced. Some ceremonies also present highly commended and overall awards at the end.

Entertainment and after-party

After the last award, the celebrations continue. This could simply be a bar and a DJ, or it could include live music, acts or a casino. It’s a great way to relax, celebrate and keep the conversations going in a more informal setting.

If you’re a finalist

Being shortlisted means your entry has already impressed the judges. On the night, a few things help:

• Know roughly when your category comes up. The running order is often in the programme or on the table.
• Agree beforehand who goes up if you win. Many ceremonies limit how many people can collect an award.
• Expect a walk to the stage, a handshake with the presenter and a photo, all in about a minute. At most business awards, winners don’t give a speech. If yours does, prepare a short acceptance speech anyway.
• Have someone on your table ready to take photos and video from your seat.

Will it cost you anything? Usually, yes: most organisers charge finalists for tickets or tables, as well as an entry fee. As I say in my book, WIN!, you should never be asked to pay to win. But do expect to pay to play. The ticket buys the evening and your place in the room, never the result.

And if your name isn’t called? You’re still a finalist, and that’s worth celebrating and sharing. If the organiser offers judges’ feedback, ask for it. It’s the best preparation for next time.

Networking at an awards night

Awards nights are one of the easiest places to meet new people in your industry, because everyone is there to celebrate. You’ll get chances during the drinks reception, at your table and once the presentations are over. A few tips:

• Plan ahead. Look at the shortlist, the sponsors and the guest list if there is one, and pick a few people you’d like to meet.
• Be genuine. Ask about the other person’s category, career and interests before you talk business.
• Use the common ground. The awards themselves, and the work that got everyone there, are the easiest conversation starter in the room.
• Follow up within a few days, mentioning something specific you talked about.

After the awards night

The evening is only the start of the value. Share your photos, thank your team publicly and use the official finalist or winner logo the organiser sends you on your website, email signature and proposals. That’s how a shortlist turns into credibility with customers, recruits and investors. There’s more on that in are business awards worth it?

Awards night questions

Want to be at the next awards night as a finalist?

At August Awards, we help businesses choose the right awards, write entries that persuade judges and prepare for shortlist presentations. Start with an awards strategy, see our award entry writing service, or tell us which awards you’re thinking of entering.