Searching for the right platform to manage employee recognition awards can be challenging. This is especially true when launching virtual events that require submission management with multimedia capabilities, judging features, and voting functionality.
The goal is to streamline these complex processes while engaging remote colleagues and partners across different locations, ultimately bringing people together to celebrate achievement
In this article, we look into some specialist tools and what to look out for.
The Challenges
When organizing an awards —whether an internal talent show or an employee recognition event —the administrative burden can quickly become overwhelming.
Without a specialized platform, you’re left manually downloading submissions, creating complex folder structures, sending countless follow-up emails, and maintaining scoring spreadsheets. These time-consuming tasks distract from your event’s core objectives.
You need an efficient solution that can also prevent technical difficulties from disrupting your events, particularly when engaging with global audiences across different time zones.
Here are 7 platforms to consider:
Submittable
A comprehensive platform designed specifically for grant submission management, but offering extensive features for virtual events too. Its multimedia capabilities allow organizers to accept videos, images, documents, and audio files in one centralized location. The platform includes customizable review forms, team collaboration tools, and automated workflows that streamline the judging process. Particularly noteworthy is its ability to accept 10 types of video files and a gallery view, making it easier for judges to review visual submissions.
Check out Submittable
OpenWater
OpenWater provides an end-to-end solution for awards and various other projects. The platform seems to differentiate itself from others in terms of robust integration, chat enquiries being swiftly responded to and adapt to suit the clients process. Open Water creates a custom landing page to match your website and provides advanced analytics whereby exports to Excel, csv, PDF, word or JSON is possible.
Check out OpenWater
Award Force
Specifically designed for awards management, Award Force excels in handling large-scale virtual events. For staff recognition events, they pride on real-time tracking (reporting), the ability for nominators to edit nominations right up until the deadline and even after, download applications, accept any file attachments (unlimited size), and offer tablet-enabled judging.
Check out Award Force
Zealous
This is us! We ditched outdated designs to provide a modern and intuitive platform for accepting entries, judging and voting. Our sleek judging feature requires no training and applicants can upload unlimited number of files (and size) so everything can be viewed and reviewed in one centralised place with automated activities including reminders and emails. Clients appreciate our flexible monthly plan and our optional live customer support for peace of mind. You can also test before purchasing too.
Check out Zealous
Evalato
Combines submission management with evaluation tools. For Employee recognition, they highlight drag-and-drop forms, automating communication with stakeholders, multiple round evaluations, public vote, embed form into website and more.
Check out Evalato
SurveyMonkey Apply
This platform goes beyond basic surveys to offer comprehensive submission management. They have a very wide range of premade templates including those for Employee Engagement too. Upload files and capture references from third parties, automated features, prescreen applications, in addition to dashboard and reports. They also allow some integration too.
Check out SurveyMonkey Apply
Judgify
Judgify offers a specialized platform for managing virtual competitions and awards programs. For corporate type projects, Judgify makes a point of customised landing pages, unlimited submissions, supports uploading large files, public vote and managed services on request.
Check out Judgify
The Real Value of Submission Platforms
A dedicated submission platform offers more than just technical efficiency – it transforms virtual awards from administrative burdens into powerful tools for building company culture.
By streamlining everything from multimedia submissions to judging and voting in one centralized place, you can focus less on logistics and more on what truly matters: creating meaningful experiences that celebrate your people and connect teams across global locations.
The right platform doesn’t just manage your recognition program – it elevates it, turning recognition moments into opportunities for engagement, motivation, and community building.
