Awards programme support
Awards programmes rarely get the resourcing they deserve.
They usually land on a team that’s already running the main event. Something gives — and it’s often the awards programme itself.
Inside Out Awards · programme support since 2018
From programme design and judging to the night itself.
A decade in awards
Built from doing the work, not standing at the edge of it.
I’ve built, grown, planned and organised a number of awards programmes over the last decade, and I’d be keen to share that experience and expertise with you. Not sure an awards programme is right for you yet? Start with The Case for Adding an Awards Programme to Your Next Event. Then come back and see how I can help.
What people say
Credible behind the scenes. Memorable on the night.
“I just wanted to say that your Awards Trust Mark Application is the most robust process I’ve reviewed. I’m constantly speaking out about poorly run awards programmes and this is a great example of how things should be done.”
Karen Sutton · Awards Trust Mark Assessor
“A special thank you to Sarah Halfpenny for curating such a seamless process and putting on an event that truly showcased the craft, the people and the impact of the in-house creative teams.”
Gareth Chilton · Founder, Manmachine · Inside Out Awards judge
“The awards night was filled with so much heart and a real sense of community. Thank you for creating such an accessible and inspiring experience.”
Creative Lead · Canva
“Sarah put together an excellent awards programme showcasing amazing talent. All of the information she provided before, during and after the awards was clear and thorough, and these awards fully deserve to be officially recognised for their efforts.”
2023 Awards judge
Programme support
One piece, or the whole programme.
I pick up as much or as little of the programme as you need. Below is an outline of the support I can provide.
Strategy & standards
Give the programme a credible shape.
The shape of the programme, and the credibility behind it.
Full Programme Management
The backbone work: awards programme structure, process and timeline; category creation and judging criteria; award document management; brand and sponsor queries; shortlist and winners admin. Unseen until it’s missing.
Awards Trust Mark
I gather the content, complete the application, and manage judges and brand feedback. One less thing sitting on your desk.
Judging & entrants
Look after both sides of the entry form.
The people side: the right judges, and entrants treated properly.
Judging
Research, invitations, discovery calls, onboarding, NDAs, bios and headshots, judges’ PR packs and category allocation. Judges’ Day covers the agenda, briefing and on-the-day management, followed by Trust Mark comments and a clear briefing ahead of the party.
Brand Support Calls
One-to-one discovery calls with your entrants. Practical guidance, not a sales pitch. Support them properly and they enter again next year.
Partners & communications
Keep the programme warm all year.
Keeping sponsors and your audience engaged, all year round.
Sponsor Management
Sponsorship packs created, and the right opportunities and partnerships identified and costed. Once the contract is signed, agreement tasks are overseen and relationships kept warm — from shortlist and winners updates to managing their participation in the event. Sponsors renew when someone’s paying attention.
Communications
The comms plan and the messages behind it, then the writing itself: newsletters, LinkedIn, your awards support pack, a blog series, and PR for sponsors and partners. One programme’s plan ran to 8 newsletters, 20 LinkedIn posts and 5 blogs across the cycle; I’ll scope the right mix for you.
Celebration & content
Make the pay-off last longer than one night.
The pay-off — the night itself, and the stories that outlast it.
Awards Party
Full event production, not just a nice venue: logistics, on-the-day management and, if needed, co-presenting alongside you.
Awards Showcase Content
Selection, invitations, discovery calls, script writing and recording. Showcasing best practice, in the winners’ own words.
From judging room to awards night
The detail matters at every point in the programme.
Selected programmes
Experience that spans the whole cycle.
From building the programme and supporting entrants to managing judging and producing the celebration.
One piece, or the whole programme — let’s talk.
However much of this you need, I can take on the right part of the programme and make it feel properly resourced.