HRO Today Association Awards Rules and Frequently Asked Questions
Updated March 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the HRO Today Association Awards?
The HRO Today Association Awards celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation across the global HR community. Beginning in 2026, the Awards will be presented within the regional HRO Today Forums, creating a unified, high‑visibility recognition experience for members and partners.
Do I need to be a member of the HRO Today Association to be eligible for an award?
Yes. The HRO Today Association Awards are exclusively open to members of the Association. To be eligible as a finalist or to receive an award, you must be an active member at the time of the Awards presentation (along with attending the event).
This premier recognition program is designed to celebrate the achievements of our global community of HR and talent leaders – and is one of the many benefits of being part of the Association.
Not yet a member? Click here to explore membership options.
For questions about joining, please contact Renee Preston at Renee.Preston@SharedXpertise.com.
What’s changing in 2026?
Starting this year, the Awards are shifting from a standalone virtual conference to a Forum‑centered, regionally anchored model. Awards will be presented live during the North America and EMEA Forums, and continue virtually for APAC. This new structure aligns recognition with where members already gather and engage, along with enhancing the finalist experience.
Any questions about these changes? Email Connor.Feeney@SharedXpertise.com for assistance.
Why are the Awards being presented at the HRO Today Forums?
Starting this year, the Awards are shifting from a standalone virtual conference to a Forum‑centered, regionally anchored model. Awards will be presented live during the North America and EMEA Forums, and continue virtually for APAC. This new structure aligns recognition with where members already gather and engage, along with enhancing the finalist experience.
Integrating the Awards into the regional Forums allows us to:
- Celebrate finalists on an industry stage
- Strengthen the connection between content, community, and recognition
- Increase visibility for finalists, winners, and their organizations
- Create a more meaningful, in‑person experience
This shift reflects an organization‑wide strategy to unify engagement and elevate the recognition experience.
Which regions will present Awards in person?
North America: Presented live at the 2026 HRO Today Forum North America (May 6–8, Philadelphia, PA).
EMEA: Presented during the 2026 HRO Today Forum EMEA (November 4-5).
APAC: Continues as a virtual Awards program presented during the Q1 Board of Advisors Meeting of each year.
What are the current Association Award Categories?
The Awards have been streamlined to four core categories:
- Member of the Year – Recognizes an individual whose leadership and engagement elevate the Association and positively influence their workplace or the HR profession.
- Team of the Year – Celebrates an HR team delivering measurable impact through collaboration, innovation, and strategic HR initiatives.
- Business Partnership Excellence – External – Honors an outstanding partnership between a provider member and a client organization.
- Business Partnership Excellence – Internal – Recognizes impactful cross‑functional collaboration within a single organization.
Why were the categories streamlined?
The updated structure brings clarity and prestige to the program while still giving us flexibility to highlight unique areas of excellence within each category. This approach ensures we can reflect the diverse strengths, specialties, and achievements of our members without an overly complicated category list.
Do finalists need to attend the Forum to receive their award?
Yes. Finalists and winners in North America and EMEA must attend the Forum in their region to receive their award. This ensures recognition is delivered in person, on stage, and among peers. Many finalists are already Forum attendees as corporate members, speakers, sponsors, or C-TEN participants.
Any questions about Forum attendance? Email Connor.Feeney@SharedXpertise.com for assistance.
Are there any Forum registration discounts for Association members?
Yes. Corporate practitioner member organizations receive two complimentary passes to the HRO Today Forum North America or EMEA via unique discount code.
Any questions related to registration, discounted registration codes, or any other Forum-related questions? Email Connor.Feeney@SharedXpertise.com for assistance.
Will finalists receive promotional visibility?
Absolutely! Finalists will be featured across:
- The HRO Today Association LinkedIn page
- The main HRO Today LinkedIn page
- Event‑related promotion leading up to the Forums
What happens to nominations submitted under the old form?
All eligible 2026 nominations submitted under the prior categories have been reviewed and aligned to the new streamlined categories. Finalists will be notified individually with information on how their nomination has been positioned in the updated framework.
Where can I submit a nomination?
Do you have any additional questions related to the HRO Today Association Awards?
Email Connor.Feeney@SharedXpertise.com for assistance.
