World Trade Promotion Organizations Conference and Awards (WTPO2024)

Why Enter? 

While winning an award is an important benefit, many former winners state that the process of entering is where the real value lies by encouraging deep analysis of process and the objective evaluation of outcomes against strategic goals. 
 
Tangible benefits of participating in the WTPO Awards include the opportunity to: 

Demonstrate impact 

Whether your organization wins an award or is nominated for the shortlist, this news can be used for public relations purposes to demonstrate your effectiveness to policymakers and increase your influence with stakeholders, helping to gain the resources and support you need. 
 

Be recognized 

The peer-reviewed process promotes recognition of your success among the TPO network community and beyond. 
 

Increase visibility 

Shortlisted nominees will have the opportunity to participate in social media/video training to showcase their initiatives. The videos produced by the nominees using smartphones will be displayed during the WTPO conference and distributed through global social network channels. 

• Stage 2 applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a social media/video training to produce a short video of their initiative. The videos of the shortlisted nominees will be displayed during the conference and distributed on ITC’s website and global social network channels; 

• Winners will be entitled to use the WTPO Award winners’ logos on their corporate communications; 

• Winners will be featured on ITC’s website; 

• ITC will develop and publish an e-publication of the winners’ booklet with the respective winners.

Entrants will apply under one of this year’s three award categories: 

Best use of partnerships

This award recognizes the successful use of integrated partnerships and networks to advance export development and impact. Examples may include sector or regional networks, private-public partnerships and “clustering to compete” initiatives, among others. 
 

Best use of information technology

This award recognizes a digital innovation introduced by a TPO that improves productivity, efficiency, marketing or performance. Examples are digital marketing campaigns, use of online databases and statistics, online B2B marketplace initiatives, digital tools such as online toolkits, use of big data, e-learning platforms such as tutorials, videos or e-commerce support. 
 

Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable

This award focuses on initiatives that respond to at least one, preferably more, of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Examples would be women’s cooperatives, promotion and distribution of indigenous crafts, skills training, sustainable sourcing and distribution models, etc. Please see the entry guide for further information about this award.
 

Further information: The WTPO Awards entry guide provides detailed information about the entry process and evaluation criteria. 
 

Check the WTPO Awards 2024 Entry Guide.

The awards follow a two-stage process: 

The Stage 1 Entry form allows entrants to submit an export development initiative for evaluation. At this stage you may submit up to five different initiatives. Please complete a Stage 1 Entry form for each initiative entered into the awards.

Stage 1 entries will be assessed to ensure the initiative fits the core criteria. Qualifying entrants will then be invited to submit a more comprehensive stage 2 entry. If more than one entry from a TPO goes forward, the TPO will need to decide which initiative to submit for stage 2.

The WTPO awards entry guide provides detailed information about the entry process and evaluation criteria: WTPO Awards 2024 Entry Guide.

How to Enter

Check-List for Stage 1 Entries

Complete your organization's profile on ITC’s Benchmarking platform for BSOs. Then, ensure the following information is completed in the Stage 1 Entry Form:

Part A: TPO contact information  

Part B: Authorization to enter 

Part C: Award category: The category for which the initiative is being submitted is selected 

Part D: The entry: Please ensure the description of the export development initiative follows the criteria described in the Entry Guide: 

1. Focus of the initiative: What problem does the initiative aim to solve? 
2. Defining features: How does the initiative respond to the identified client needs? What are the distinguishing features of the initiative (specific partnerships, unique tools employed, training, counselling)? Note: the need for the initiative must have been identified or re-confirmed within the last two years.
3. Achieving objectives: How do you know you are succeeding? Describe what change you expect from the initiative (e.g., creating awareness, attitude change, change in managerial behaviour, improving competitiveness, sustainable exports).
4. Target audience: What are the distinguishing characteristics of the clientele (profile, size)?
5. Service design and delivery: How did you design and deliver the service? How did this approach ensure you would achieve your objectives described in question 3? 

Stage 1 entries may not exceed 850 words. Your TPO’s profile along with all four parts of the entry form must be completed to successfully submit. After submitting your entry, a copy in Word and PDF formats will also be sent to the email addresses listed in the Stage 1 Entry Form.

Who can enter?

The World Trade Promotion Organization (WTPO) Awards are open to all trade support institutions officially recognized as the national organizations for trade promotion. Some of these organizations also engage in investment and or tourism activities.

What is the entry process?

The application process is via ITC's benchmarking platform for business support organizations. Please register your organization on this platform or log in if your organization is already registered. For instructions on registering your organization on the benchmarking platform, click here. Please complete your TPO’s profile. To access the Stage 1 Entry Form, click on the WTPO Awards logo in the right-hand corner of your organization's dashboard. Kindly note, your TPO's profile must be completed in order to submit your Stage 1 Entry. 

The WTPO awards entry guide provides detailed information about the entry process and evaluation criteria: WTPO Awards 2024 Entry Guide.

What constitutes an ‘export development initiative'? 

When selecting your export development initiative, consider the following: 

• Does the initiative aim to build the effective export competitiveness of SMEs; and/or 
• Does the initiative contribute to broader changes that lead or contribute to sustained export competitiveness such as raised awareness, attitude change and/or changes in SME managerial practices.

Which category should I enter? 

Consider what is most salient about your initiative. Is there a practice or process related to the awards criteria for stage 2 for which you feel your TPO has excelled at when offering export development initiatives? Have you developed innovative partnerships to deliver an export development initiative? Was using information technology a key innovation that improved efficiency in the design, delivery, monitoring or measurement of the initiative? Does your initiative align with one of the SDGs listed for an award in this category?  

Can a TPO enter more than one category for each entry? 

An entry may fit in more than one category. It is best to select the category that best aligns with the purpose of the initiative. Should an entry submitted for more than one category be accepted for stage 2, the entrant will need to choose in which category it will submit its final application.

Can a TPO submit more than one entry? 

A TPO may submit up to five different entries for Stage 1.

When is the entry deadline?

The deadline for Stage 1 Entries was extended to 4 March 2024. Entries are now closed.

When will I know if I can submit a stage 2 entry? 

ITC will notify the entrants of their qualifying status on 8 April 2024.

Can a TPO re-submit an entry from previous awards if it matches one of the new categories? 

A TPO may re-submit a previous entry if the initiative is still current. For consideration by the jury, the entry must comply with the instructions in the entry guide.

Do entries need to be in English? 

To facilitate the judging process all entries must be in English. 

Whom can I ask for help? 

We are here to answer your questions about the awards process and to provide assistance in completing your stage 1 and stage 2 entries. Please email your questions to wtpo-awards [at] intracen.org (wtpo-awards[at]intracen[dot]org).