- The 2025 BEST Awards application opens on August 15, 2024 and closes on October 25, 2024. (Updated deadline)
- The twelve-month reporting timeframe should be, for example, from July 2023 - July 2024 (additional metrics and reporting information prior to this timeframe may be included).
- The entry fee is $300 USD (subject to change). It is payable as the last step in submitting your application online by credit card.
- Anonymous entries: the BEST application is a blind application. This means in your entry form there should be NO mention of the company name or any identifying programs, people, or achievements. Applications that fail to meet these criteria may be disqualified.
- Organization name and other information will be collected separately as the first page of your entry form and not visible to judges.
- Most answers have word limits. These are hard-coded into the form and cannot be exceeded.
- Ensure no company-identifying information appears in any supporting documents you may upload. This includes the file name of the supporting document.
- Words included in uploaded documents do not count toward the total word count for the answer.
- Do not include an appendix, addendum, or any supplemental documents with your application beyond the optional uploads noted in the application. Uploads should not exceed one page per upload.
- Video links or links to outside documents or websites are not allowed.
(You may note certain facts/figures in your application as NFP - "not for publication" if data is confidential. However, please understand that part of the Awards program's aim is to share best practices with others. Please see below regarding release forms.)
Disqualified applications are not eligible for a refund of the application fee.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE:
ATD will spotlight the BEST Award winners in the special best practices issues of TD magazine, press releases, webinars, and other communication pieces. Before doing so, we must receive a signed copy of a release, granting ATD permission to use the information you supplied or will supply in your responses to the 2025 ATD BEST Awards application.
If your organization is selected to be a 2025 BEST Award winner (application window takes place in 2024), a representative from your organization will be required to sign a release form granting the Association for Talent Development (ATD) certain rights, similar to the below:
The BEST Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success as a result of employee talent development. ATD is committed to shared learning and recognition of best practices. Therefore, ATD is requesting the right to spotlight your organization as a 2025 BEST Award winner at the awards ceremony and corresponding recap videos, in the special best practices issues of TD magazine, press releases, and other communication pieces.
Failure to complete this release by [DATE] will prevent your organization from being publicly recognized as a BEST Award winner.
By signing below, I certify I have the authority to grant, on behalf of my organization, the Association for Talent Development (ATD), formerly ASTD and its subsidiaries, affiliates and designees (collectively referred to as “ATD”) a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license (“License”) and release to exercise all rights with respect to information provided in the application, organization name, and logo for the purposes provided below in its 2025 BEST Awards recognition process.
- Application. A License to use the information submitted to ATD by my organization from the application in articles, press releases, public reports, and other communications or materials prepared, published, reproduced, or distributed by ATD, subject to my organization’s prior review and approval for factual accuracy.
- Use of Name. A License to use the name of my organization for the sole purpose of ATD’s promotion of the BEST Awards Program in articles, press releases, public reports, and other communications or materials. Visible on awards ceremony slides and corresponding recap videos to be used during/after the ATD 2025 International Conference & EXPO. Listed on the website as an award winner.
- Use of Logos. A License to use the logo of my organization for the sole purpose of ATD’s promotion of the BEST Awards Program in articles, press releases, public reports, and other communications or materials. Visible on awards ceremony slides and corresponding recap videos to be used during/after the ATD 2025 International Conference & EXPO
In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the ATD BEST Awards process, I forever release, discharge, indemnify, defend and hold harmless ATD from and against any and all liabilities, losses, costs, damages, claims, liens, judgments, penalties, fines, attorneys’ fees, insurance policy deductibles, court costs, and all other expenses arising out of the awards process and any activities related thereto or otherwise contemplated in this release.
I represent and warrant that the information submitted to ATD in the application does not violate the rights of anyone else, is accurate, and that I have the authority to bind my organization to this license and release.
