Winning an SMA really can make a difference

With just over two weeks to go until the 2023 Sales and Marketing Awards deadline, CRN caught up with a few of last year’s winners who share what lifting a trophy has meant to them

Compiling an entry to any awards event is a stressful and often unwelcome job.

But the benefits of all that hard work would be returned tenfold if you became one of our 2023 Sales and Marketing Award winners.

With 24 categories to choose from this year, including many new and revamped categories, there really is something for everyone. The deadline might be just over a fortnight away, but there is still plenty of time to help your business and colleagues shine on the night.

It is always easy for us to say how great winning an award would be, but a few of our 2022 winners have shared what winning has meant to them.

Bev Markland, is CPO at Agilitas, which scooped two awards in the vendor category last year: Best Company to Work For, and Best Marketing Campaign.

"As a company that prides itself on its sustainability initiatives and passion to innovate, Agilitas was delighted to see its pledge to Act with Impact, recognised at the 2022 SMAs. It is great recognition that our ongoing commitment to channel partners, and the future of the planet saw our sustainability campaign selected as a winner," she explained.

Markland added the second award was the cherry on top. "Beyond providing tools and technologies to keep the organisation fully connected, Agilitas has continued to introduce new initiatives to foster a ‘stronger together' culture that empowers staff, and will continue to improve working experiences for team members."

The winner of the Best Sales/Marketing Recruitment Specialist, The Channel Recruiter said winning has proved a real boost.

Zoe Chatley, the firm's managing director, said: "Entering and winning the SMAs was really exciting and it's been great for our business over the last six months, especially as a new and growing business."

"It is a great talking point with existing clients and it has brought new clients to us too," she added. "Receiving the recognition of an award has boosted our reputation in the channel and we are currently working on our entry for 2023."

Zoe Chatley, managing director of The Channel Recruiter, said: "Entering and winning the CRN SMA was really exciting and it's been great for our business over the last six months, especially as a new and growing business.

Giacom took home the Best Marketing Campaign trophy in the Distributor category which is always a hotly contested category.

Sophie Lockwood, campaign manager at Giacom, said the win had given the team a well-deserved reward for their hard work.

"Winning the award gave our talented marketing and sales teams the recognition and appreciation they deserve from within the channel. It was a great feeling to accept the award on behalf of the team on the night, and CRN always puts on a great party," she said.

There is plenty of time to get your entries in for this year's SMAs - with the deadline being Friday 31 March at 5pm - don't miss out on your chance to shine.

Some top entry tips can be found here, and all our categories and the entry form can be found here. The event itself takes place on Thursday 29 June, at Leonardo Royal Hotel, Tower Bridge, London.