The most frequently asked questions about the Arabian Best of Best Awards program — program overview, jury independence, category design, eligibility, fees, timing, and what winning includes.
✓ Free to nominate · No nomination fee · No registration fee
The Arabian Best of Best Awards is the Middle East's premier business recognition platform, founded in 2021 and operated by Golden Tree Awards in Dubai. The program recognizes excellence across 200+ categories in 20 industries and 9 countries — the GCC core (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman) plus Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon.
The annual Gala takes place in Dubai. For 2026, the Gala is on 14 November at the Westin Marina Hotel, running from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Every category is judged by an independent industry sub-jury composed of senior practitioners with 15+ years of frontline experience. Scoring is blind — jurors do not see the nominator name or sponsorship status while evaluating submissions.
Sub-jury composition is published before the cycle opens. Jurors rotate annually. Sponsorship has zero influence on outcomes. We have refused sponsor-linked nominations more than once and will continue to do so.
Categories are designed to reflect the realities of each industry rather than imposed from a global template. The set is calibrated annually — new categories added as sectors emerge, retired categories removed when they no longer reflect a meaningful operating reality.
The 2026 program covers 200+ categories spanning 20 industries. Cross-industry recognitions (Business of the Year, CEO of the Year, etc.) complement industry-specific awards.
Eligibility is broad. Any business with active presence in or substantive operations serving the Arabian region is eligible. Listed companies, family groups, private holdings, startups, subsidiaries, individuals, and international groups with regional operations are all welcome.
Self-nominations, peer nominations, customer nominations, and third-party nominations are accepted on equal footing. Nominees who win are notified before public announcement and may decline confidentially.
Nomination is free — there is no nomination fee and no registration fee. The Free plan covers one award programme in one category at City level, with a mandatory Winner Package order if you are selected as a winner; optional paid plans start with Silver at USD 140, followed by Gold, Diamond and Platinum; see the Nomination Plans page for what each includes. The plan never influences the jury result.
Submission takes 10 to 15 minutes via the centralized Golden Tree Awards nomination platform at /award-nomination.
Submissions are accepted year-round through the 2026 cycle close date. After submission: confirmation email within 48 hours, verification within 5 business days, sub-jury evaluation in 4 to 6 weeks, shortlist notification approximately 6 weeks before the Gala.
The 2026 Gala is on 14 November 2026 at the Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai, UAE. Winners are revealed live at the Gala.
Per our publication policy, we publicly display only Company Name, Country, and Award Category for winners and nominees. We never publish email addresses, phone numbers, contact person names, addresses, payment details, or other private information.
Privacy and trust are foundational to the program's credibility, particularly for senior leaders and family-business operators who would otherwise hesitate to participate.
The Middle East's premier business recognition platform, founded in 2021 and operated by Golden Tree Awards in Dubai. 200+ categories, 20 industries, 9 countries, annual Gala in Dubai.
No. Nomination is free — there is no nomination fee and no registration fee. The Free plan covers one award programme in one category at City level, with a mandatory Winner Package order if you are selected as a winner; optional paid plans start with Silver at USD 140. The plan never influences the result: every entry is judged on merit by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree. See the Nomination Plans page.
Through a five-stage evaluation process by the Jury team or the Management of Golden Tree — nomination, internal verification, blind sub-jury scoring on the five-pillar framework, shortlist confirmation, and live Gala reveal.
Any individual or organization. Self-nominations, peer nominations, customer nominations, and third-party nominations are all accepted on equal footing.
Yes. Sub-jury composition is published before each cycle opens. Jurors rotate annually.
14 November 2026 at the Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai, UAE, from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Trophy, plaque, gold medal, certificate, post-event PR coverage, social-media features, lifetime alumni access, and inclusion in our annual Arabian Best of Best Index.
No. Sponsorship has zero influence on jury outcomes. We have refused sponsor-linked nominations more than once.
Only Company Name, Country, and Award Category. Never emails, phones, contact persons, addresses, or payment details.
Yes. The Gala is open to sponsors, partners, nominators, and a limited number of paid attendees. Contact awards@goldentreeawards.com for table booking.