We use independent judges to ensure that all nominees receive a fair chance of winning their category. Online judging will take place from November 17, 2026 to December 17, 2026.

  • Judging takes place online after entries close.
  • Entries are evaluated only against the published criteria and definitions for the category.
  • Stage One is completed by industry judges from outside the Lethbridge region. A judge must have at least three years of relevant experience in the category assigned.
  • Up to three highest-scoring eligible entries advance as finalists.
  • Stage Two is completed by a panel of three to five peer judges from another Alberta member association. The panel reviews and scores the finalists and decides the winner in the event of a tie.
  • The Stage Two panel records a short explanation of why the winner stood out. The explanation is published with the result.
  • Judges must disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves where impartiality could reasonably be questioned.
  • BILD staff administer eligibility and the judging process but do not score entries or select winners.
  • Judging is completed from submitted and remotely verified evidence. There are no site visits.

Competition Requirements and Single Entries

  • A competition requires at least two eligible submissions from more than one member company. Two submissions from the same member do not create a competition.
  • Compatible categories may be combined before judging. The combined entries will be evaluated using the published criteria for the category into which they are combined.
  • A single entry will still be scored and recognized during the industry-recognition portion of the awards ceremony. A refund of the entry fee will be granted when there is a single entry and it does not receive an award.
  • In rare circumstances, a single entry with a Stage One score of at least 85 percent may be referred to the Stage Two panel. The panel may confer an award only when it determines the work is demonstrably award-worthy, is unanimous, and records a public citation. Meeting the 85 percent benchmark does not guarantee an award.

Provincial Advancement

BILD Lethbridge Region will cover one standard BILD Alberta entry fee for the winner of each local category when a corresponding provincial category exists. If a category has only one eligible local entry and no local award is conferred, BILD will also cover one provincial entry fee for that entry when a corresponding BILD Alberta category exists. The entrant remains responsible for provincial eligibility, deadlines and submission requirements.