✦ Nominations Open for 2026 📍 Iris Bay Tower, Business Bay, Dubai 📅 14 November 2026
Help Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about participating, judging, fees and the Dubai gala.

Who Can Participate

Who can participate in the Arabian Best of Best Awards?
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Any company, brand or institution operating in — or meaningfully serving — the Arabian region, from startups to multinationals, across our industry and country categories.

Do I have to be based in the GCC?
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No. International organisations with operations, partnerships or significant business interests in the region are welcome to enter relevant categories.

Can I nominate my own company?
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Yes. Self-nominations are welcome and judged on identical criteria to third-party nominations.

Can someone nominate a business on its behalf?
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Yes. Clients, partners or colleagues can submit a nomination for an organisation they admire.

Is there a minimum company size or age?
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No general minimum. Some categories have specific qualifying criteria, but entries are welcome from solo founders to large corporations.

Can a company enter more than one category?
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Yes. Many honourees are recognised in several categories. Each entry is evaluated independently.

Can a company enter more than one country or industry program?
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Yes, depending on the package — Diamond and above support participation across multiple programs.

What information do I need to nominate?
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Basic company details, the category you are entering, and a short description of the achievement you want recognised.

Is my information kept private?
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Yes. We never publish contact details. Only the company name, country and category appear in public listings.

Can individuals be nominated, or only companies?
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The Arabian Best of Best Awards recognises businesses, brands and institutions rather than individuals.

Is there a deadline to enter?
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Yes. Nominations for 2026 close on 15 September 2026, with an early window closing 30 July 2026.

How do I start a nomination?
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Visit the Award Nomination page and complete the official form — it only takes a few minutes.

Schedule

When do nominations open?
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Nominations for the 2026 edition open in May 2026.

When is the early window?
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The early nomination window closes on 30 July 2026 — early entries receive the longest evaluation runway.

When do nominations close?
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Final nominations close on 15 September 2026.

When does the jury review entries?
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Independent jury review takes place in the third and fourth weeks of September 2026.

When is the shortlist decided?
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Finalists are confirmed internally during October 2026.

When are winners announced?
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Winners are revealed live at the gala on 14 November 2026.

Where and when is the gala?
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The gala is held on 14 November 2026 at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Are places limited?
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Yes. Nominations are limited and handled first-come, first-served, so early entry is encouraged.

How long does the whole process take?
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From nomination to gala spans several weeks, depending on when you enter relative to the deadlines above.

Will I be notified at each stage?
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Yes. Nominees receive updates on receipt, evaluation and, where applicable, finalist and winner status.

Judging

How are winners selected?
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By an independent jury of senior practitioners who score each entry against a documented rubric. There is no public voting.

Is selection decided by the public?
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No. The Arabian Best of Best Awards uses independent, merit-based jury evaluation only — there is no public voting.

What criteria are used?
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Impact & results, innovation, leadership & vision, quality & consistency, market reputation, and ethics & sustainability.

How are the criteria weighted?
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Impact & Results 25%, Innovation 20%, Leadership & Vision 15%, Quality & Consistency 15%, Market Reputation 15%, Ethics & Sustainability 10% — totalling 100%.

Can I influence the outcome by paying more?
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No. Fees and packages affect participation only. They have zero influence on judging.

Who sits on the jury?
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Senior regional practitioners and sector specialists — never sponsors. Jurors are independent of commercial decisions.

Is scoring confidential?
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Yes. Entries are scored independently, and individual scores are kept confidential.

What happens after scoring?
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Top-scoring entries are shortlisted, verified, and confirmed as winners purely on merit.

Can I get feedback if I don't win?
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Shortlisted entries can request a short summary of the jury's view to strengthen future submissions.

Does paying the nomination fee guarantee a win?
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No. The fee covers entry and evaluation only — winning is decided solely by the jury.

Can a company win in multiple categories?
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Yes, if its entries score highly in each — each category is judged on its own merits.

How do you prevent bias?
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Through documented criteria, independent jurors, and verification of winning entries before announcement.

Fee & Costs

What does it cost to nominate?
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Nomination packages range from Silver to Titanium. Full figures are listed on the Fee & Cost page.

What is the difference between the Nomination Fee and the Winner Package Fee?
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The Nomination Fee lets you take part and be judged. The Winner Package Fee is optional and only relevant once you have won.

Does paying guarantee winning?
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No. Paying any fee never guarantees a win — selection is merit-based.

What is included in the nomination packages?
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Program and category participation, portal access, evaluation, and — on higher tiers — more awards, categories, visibility and support.

Are nomination fees refundable?
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No. Nomination fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be carried forward.

Is the Winner Package mandatory?
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No. It is optional, but it is the only way to receive trophies, branding rights and gala benefits.

How much are the Winner Packages?
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They range from the Digital package up to the Royal package. Exact prices are on the Fee & Cost page.

If I win several categories, do I need several packages?
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No. One package covers a program, even if you win in multiple categories at the Arabian Best of Best Awards.

How long do I have to order a Winner Package?
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You have 10 days from the winner announcement to order.

Are there shipping costs?
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Physical items ship at additional cost, or can be collected at the gala.

Can I use the award logo?
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Yes, once results are published and — for the winner logo — once your package is approved, following our branding guidelines.

Where can I see all the prices?
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On the Fee & Cost page, which lists every nomination and winner package with full inclusions.

Gala Ceremony

When and where is the gala?
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On 14 November 2026 at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai.

What time does it run?
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From 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, beginning with doors open and a meet & greet.

What is the dress code?
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Black-tie. It is a formal celebration of the region's best.

What happens during the evening?
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Red carpet, opening entertainment, the awards presentation, winners' speeches, a gala dinner and evening entertainment.

Do winners receive their trophy on stage?
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Yes. Winners are presented on stage, with professional photography on the night.

How do I attend?
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Gala passes are included with winner packages; the number of passes scales with the package tier.

Can I bring guests?
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Yes, within the number of gala passes included in your package.

Is attendance mandatory to win?
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No, but in-person attendance is the most rewarding way to experience the recognition and network.

Will the gala be photographed or filmed?
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Yes. Photography and video are captured for winners and promotional use.

Who attends the gala?
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Senior business leaders, founders, executives and media from across the region and beyond.

Still Have Questions?

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