“Why should I enter the APEA Awards? The same names win every time!”

For today’s APEA Awards blog, we are myth-busting!

But not just any old myth, it’s the one we like hearing the LEAST of all!

This myth, summarised in the title of this blog, has been voiced to us in many ways over the years. Its sentiment – “the same companies always win” – has the unenviable distinction of being both factually wrong and (in our humble opinion) dangerously short-sighted.

This matters! Because the worst possible consequence of a myth like this is that it stops an amazing achievement getting the recognition it deserves in front of the industry’s finest at the APEA Awards 2025 sponsored by Green Spark.

Let’s start with the facts…

The last 5 editions of the APEA Awards have collectively bestowed a total of 40 Awards to deserving winners. For the purposes of this conversation, if we remove the recipients of the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ (an individual honour, sometimes presented to people no longer directly affiliated to specific companies), we’re left with 35 available Awards over that same 5 year period.

The reality is that a total of 30 different companies received those 35 Awards, including examples of shared wins, i.e. where two companies jointly submitted an entry.

So 30 separate companies can officially call themselves ‘APEA Award Winners’ over the last 5 years, from just 35 available trophies!

Still think the same names always win?

So, now we know the myth to be untrue, let’s consider the commercial damage caused to those who choose to believe it…

The APEA Awards exist to recognise and reward the very best fuel and forecourt achievements in the 12 months that precede each ceremony. They require companies and individuals to self-nominate and ‘go for gold’. Our independent experienced judges, who generously volunteer their time (and spend hours carefully reaching their verdicts) can only judge what’s in front of them.

In the last 5 years, 30 companies that made the positive call to go for it have been rewarded with the industry’s single-best annual marketing/PR win… free of charge!

Just so we’re covering all bases… have some companies won multiple Awards? Yes! Not many, but yes!

Why? Because, like all our finalists and winners, they understand that every year their business achieves something Awards-worthy. They know that the health of their industry Awards is dependent upon their participation and the participation of their peers (including their competitors). They understand that the time it takes to enter is ‘paid back’ one hundred-fold, via the promotion they derive from just a shortlisting.

If you are tired of seeing your competitors being winners and not your business, the way to change this is NOT to choose to believe an untrue myth and decide against entering, but instead to ‘throw your hat in the ring’ as well! To instigate change, there has to be change. Our Awards must represent the best of the industry, but it can only do that if the best in the industry participate.

New for 2025: ‘Suggest A Star’! This is a brand new initiative to help us ensure the year’s best achievements and achievers get their deserved time in the spotlight. Over and above entering yourselves, ‘Suggest a Star’ allows you to highlight an Award-worthy company or person in seconds. Complete a super-fast form at www.apealive.co.uk/2025/awards/nominate, which goes straight to Event Director Tom Treverton, who will then approach your recommendation and invite them to enter.

So, go for it in 2025!

The online entry platform for the APEA Awards 2025 sponsored by Green Spark is now open at www.apealive.co.uk/2025/awards/enter-the-awards. The deadline for entries is Friday 19 September. It is free to ether. You can enter as many categories as you like. You can start an entry, then save-as-you-go (no need to start / complete all at once). Finalists will be announced on Friday 10 October, following the judging period. The APEA Awards 2025 sponsored by Green Spark forms part of APEA Live 2025 on Thursday 13 November at Arena MK.

Helpful ‘Hints and Tips’ for great entries are available at www.apealive.co.uk/2025/awards/entry-tips. You can also check out inspiring past winner case studies at www.apealive.co.uk/winners-stories.

Don’t believe the myth! Believe in your team’s achievements and make sure they are rewarded!