Behind every great standard is a volunteer who gave their time, expertise and energy to get it right. Global Electronics Association recognizes these exceptional volunteers with the Excellence in Standards award program.

Know someone whose work has made our industry's standards stronger? Take a few minutes to nominate them now, and help us celebrate the people who build standards better.

Nominate Now

Important Dates

Nominations open: November 2, 2026
Nominations close: December 11, 2026
Awards ceremony: Sunday, April 4, 2027, during APEX EXPO
Eligibility Period: November 1, 2025-October 31, 2026

How to Nominate

Choose a category from the awards listed below.
Tell us who and why. Enter the nominee’s name, the award category, and an explanation of why they deserve the award. No letters of recommendation or supporting documents are needed.
Submit by December 11, 2026.

Selection Process

A seven-member Awards Selection Committee, balanced across North America, Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia/India, will independently score eligible nominations against the published criteria.

Award Categories

Distinguished Service Award

Honors sustained, influential contribution to standards over a substantial period, shown through leadership, technical expertise, mentorship or service across multiple standards activities, committees, programs or industry initiatives.

May be received only once. One award is presented annually.

Standards Impact Award

Honors a volunteer whose contribution during the award period (November 2025-present) materially advanced the development, adoption or influence of standards, with measurable impact beyond a single routine committee role.

Examples: advancing multiple projects, improving stakeholder alignment, accelerating a major milestone, or strengthening the value of standards to industry.

May be received more than once. Up to two awards are presented annually.

Innovation Award

Honors leadership, technical insight or creativity that initiated or materially advanced a new standard, a significant revision to an existing standard, or a novel standards-development method. The nominee’s contribution must show a defined technical, market or industry benefit.

May be received more than once. Up to two awards are presented annually.

Global Collaboration Award

Honors exceptional leadership in bringing contributors from multiple countries or regions together to advance a standards activity.

Examples: resolving cross-border stakeholder needs, expanding international participation, building consensus among diverse interests, or enabling a standard to meet global needs.

May be received only once. One award is presented annually.

Emerging Technology Standards Award

Honors a significant contribution to an emerging-technology standard or guideline initiative, such as technical leadership, subject-matter expertise, consensus building or development of a new standards pathway. The standard does not need to be completed or published.

May be received more than once. Up to two awards are presented annually.

Pathfinder Award

Honors a new standards volunteer who has quickly become an active, constructive and valued participant in standards development. Students and emerging engineers are welcome. Nominee is ideally in their first 3 years of standards participation.

May only be received once. One award is presented annually.

Standards Project Achievement Award

Honors a project team that achieved an exceptional standards-development milestone during the award period (November 2025-present). Nominate a team (not an individual), such as a task group, regional liaison group, project A-Team or other project team.

Examples: launch to publication within the period, content ready for consensus review on time or early, overcoming a major technical breakthrough, or an outside-the-box approach that can serve as a model for other groups.

May be received more than once. One team is presented an award annually.

Kessler-Goldman Committee Leader of the Year Award

Honors a committee chair who completed a standard or specific program, or an outgoing chair with contributions over time. Named for Hall of Famers Patty Goldman and Bernie Kessler.

Any chair is eligible. May be received more than once. One award is presented annually.

Hillman-Lambert Committee Volunteer of the Year Award

Honors an active committee member with an exceptional contribution to a specific standard or program, shown through consistent participation, ballot submission and significant impact. Named for Hall of Famers David Hillman and Leo Lambert.

Board members are not eligible. May be received more than once. One award is presented annually.

Moffitt-Ventress Training Committee Member of the Year Award

Honors an active training committee member with an exceptional contribution to a specific standard or program.

Board members are not eligible. May be received more than once. One award is presented annually.

Raby-Scott Training Committee Leader of the Year Award

Honors a training committee chair who completed a standard or specific program, or an outgoing chair with contributions over time.

Any chair is eligible. May be received more than once. One award is presented annually.