I've been talking to a number of individuals/companies in our industry (both LJN members as well as non-members) about the creation of an industry-wide open set of industry awards.
It's still early days but the feedback has been positive - it's time to throw this out into open discussion and gauge what you think.
What will make these awards special is that they will be open to anyone and everyone in our industry.
The awards, however, are intended to recognise only the highest standards of landscape construction, design and maintenance as well as other industry awards.
For example there should definitely be an all-time achievement award as well as an unsung hero award.
Whilst this could become the highest profile set of awards it will always look to recognise anyone who might not otherwise be rewarded for dedication and professionalism in their job.
The awards will need structure and a lot of organisations as well as investment and sponsorship. Whether an awards dinner will follow is up to how we get on.
I would however envisage most of our work being largely online with final garden visits happening at the end of the short-list process.
I would maintain a hall of fame as we go forward ensuring all category winners are visible in perpetuity as well as giving winners an opportunity to link back to an awards site.
I already have a £5,000 budget to kickstart proceedings.
Over to you....what are your thoughts?
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Replies
I think it is a excellent idea as a Marshalls registered installer I enter the Marshalls competition every year and have been a regional winner in the past. A way to show off your work and gain recognition for it is good and good for business.
Great idea, I have been thinking a lot about awards and awards ceremonies recently as it may form the basis of an article I have to write. My feeling is that it would be fantastic to have an award that recognises not just the highest standards but those have triumphed against adversity, been the best that they can be, perhaps something that makes these awards different from the rest.
Sounds good to me - just don't forget the suppliers who help make these places look fantastic too!
My criticism of the BALI awards was that despite being a plant supplier to 7 or 8 of the award winners we didn't get a mention, apart form as a sponsor and that cost us £1000+.
I do, however, realise that it musn't get too watered down, but as a former landscaper and now plant supplier I do find it frustrating.
Totally agree Lindsey - perhaps we need to talk to develop ideas on this?
Lindsey Churchill said:
I agree Phil
Landscape Juice is uniquely placed to make sure the whole supply chain is recognised (although I would say it would need input from everyone who was involved too).
Phil Rusted said:
Happy to
Phil Voice said:
Excellent idea Phil. I like the proposal that the awards will recognise the achievements of anyone involved in our wide-ranging industry regardless of membership of professional bodies etc.
I think businesses would like their services assessed and a grading given each year much like the National "In Bloom" Awards.
I think I would consider paying a subscription or fee to enter an award that irrespective of whether we won an award we at least got a recognised grading for a particular service. So for example a commercial grounds maintenance company provided a list of 5 sites to be assessed which the Awarding Body viewed 3 times a year and awarded, Bronze/Silver or Gold standards etc. Likewise for a paving, fencing company etc.
Based on a scoring system you could then link up a National Awards system wherby you were shortlisted and re-assesed.
We have won North West in Bloom awards, and given their recognition are a great selling point to customers, the key being the award being recognised by Joe Public.
There would be an entry fee Steve, all be it a relatively small one.
Steve Gray said:
Thanks Phil for coming up with LJN Awards. I think its a fantastic idea. I'm a member of the APL and was considering entering their awards soon. However if you set up awards free of any conditions of membership or size then this could really be onto something.
I was also thinking about the judging of this and thought that there might be two logical ways to do this. One would be to post each entry on-line and take LJN votes as to who should be short-listed. And another thought is to pick out a diverse range of horticultural professionals to judge the entries. As mentioned by Charles William, I think that if the awards were regional it would encourage entries and then have overall winners in different budget categories.
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