The RPI Best Practice Standards® Awards honor organizations who implement the RPI Best Practice Standards®. They are based on knowledge gained from academic literature, professional conferences, and shared experiences in developing successful recognition programs. Standards are designed to be useful for the creation and evaluation of recognition programs. The deadline to apply is April 26, 2024.

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  • Recognition—All recipients will be recognized at the IMA Summit, in our newsletter, in a press releases and our on website. Recipients will also receive a digital badge for use on their website and email signature.
  • Exposure—Increase brand awareness and put your company in the spotlight. Promote the award on your website and in your marketing materials, all of which help build trust with your target audience.  
  • Credibility—A win signifies the quality of your services and gives you an advantage in a competitive marketplace.
  • Receive Feedback—Get insights and actionable feedback from industry experts on how you can improve your programs.
  1. RPI Pinnacle Award: Submit all seven RPI Best Practice Standards® and be eligible to receive the RPI Pinnacle Award. 
  2. RPI Best Practice Standard Award: Submit one or more standards and be eligible to receive an RPI Best Practice Standard® Award for the respective standard(s).
  3. RPI Achievement Award: Submit all seven RPI Best Practice Standards® in a three-year period to receive the RPI Achievement Award of all Best Practice Standards.
RPI Best Practice Standards® Awards:
  • RPI Member – $50/standard
  • Nonmember – $75/standard
RPI Pinnacle Award (All 7 Standards):
  • RPI Member – $300
  • Nonmember – $450
  • Standard 1: Recognition Strategy  A written recognition strategy that articulates the philosophy and objectives for all recognition practices, including day-to-day, informal, and formal recognition programs.
  • Standard 2: Management Responsibility  Senior leaders and management actively endorse and are held accountable for planning, supporting, reviewing and actively participating in the recognition programs.
  • Standard 3: Recognition Program Measurement  The organization evaluates the effectiveness of its formal and informal programs using measures that are statistically reliable and valid and substantive in nature.
  • Standard 4: Communication Plan – The organization establishes and maintains a strategic communication plan that communicates all aspects of the recognition strategy, including program objectives, recognition processes, events, celebrations, tools, and a contact person for program information.
  • Standard 5: Recognition Training  Training is essential in creating a culture of appreciation; all employees, especially managers and executives, need to understand the importance of meaningful recognition and how to give it.
  • Standard 6: Recognition Events & Celebrations  The organization demonstrates how celebrations and award ceremonies are effectively used to recognize its employees.
  • Standard 7: Program Change & Flexibility  The organization encourages flexibility in its recognition program. As changes arise, the organization demonstrates its ability to adjust to changing goals and objectives and the diverse recognition needs of its employees through feedback and employee survey programs.

RPI Best Practice Standards® Overview

2023

  • Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) - Standard 1
  • Virtua Health - Standard 4

2022

  • Achievement Awards Group - Pinnacle Award
  • TD Bank Group - Pinnacle Award
  • Cone Health - Standard 1, Standard 4, Standard 6, Standard 7
  • Vancouver Coastal Health - Standard 2

2021

  • Dar-Al-Riyadh - Overall Best Practice Winner
  • Effingham Health System - Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Standard 5, Standard 6, Standard 7
  • Dollar General - Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Standard 6, Standard 7
  • Vancouver Coastal Health - Standard 1, Standard 4, Standard 5, Standard 6, Standard 7
  • University Hospitals - Standard 5, Standard 7
  • USAA - Standard 1, Standard 7
  • Prudential - Standard 5
  • University of Notre Dame - Standard 1

2020

  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - Overall Best Practice Winner
  • Cone Health - Standard 6, Standard 7
  • Dar Al Riyadh Holding - Standard 1, Standard 5, Standard 7
  • Microsoft® - Standard 1
  • CR Worldwide - Standard 1, Standard 4, Standard 6, Standard 7
  • Vancouver Coastal Health - Standard 6

2019

Best Practice Award: Best in Class - Effingham Health System

  • Standard 6: Recognition Events and Celebrations

2018

Best Practice Award: BAE Systems
Best Practice Award: University of Calgary

2017

Best Overall Recognition Program: RBC

Best in Class:

  • Standard 1- Recognition Strategy: BAE Systems
  • Standard 4 - Communication Plan: BAE Systems
  • Standard 7 - Program Change and Flexibility: BAE Systems

2016

2016 Best Overall Recognition Program: MIT

Best in Class:

  • Standard 1- Recognition Strategy: Kforce
  • Standard 3- Recognition Program Measurement: Gundersen Health System
  • Standard 4- Communication Plan: Kforce

2015

Cleveland Clinic - RPI Best Practice Standards® Overall Award Winner

Southwest Airlines – Best in Class
  • Standard 1: Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 2: Management Responsibility
  • Standard 6: Recognition Events and Celebrations
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Best in Class
  • Standard 4: Communication Plan
  • Standard 5: Recognition Training
  • Standard 7: Program Change and Flexibility

2013

US Motivation - Overall Award Winner

IM Flash Technologies – Best in Class

  • Standard 3: Recognition Program Measurement
Maritz Motivational Solutions
– Best in Class
  • Standard 1: Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 7: Program Change and Flexibility

2012

California State Teachers Retirement System - RPI Best Practice Standards® Overall Award Winner

West Virginia University Healthcare – Best in Class

  • Standard 1 - Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 2 - Management Responsibility
  • Standard 4 – Communication Plan

University of Michigan Healthcare – Best in Class

  • Standard 5 – Recognition Training
  • Standard 7 – Program Change and Flexibility

AIMIA – Best in Class

  • Standard 6 - Recognition Events and Celebrations

2011

TELUS Communications, Inc. - RPI Best Practice Standards® Overall Award Winner

Sprint Nextel Corporation – Best in Class

  • Standard 1 - Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 2 - Management Responsibility

Con-Way – Best in Class

  • Standard 1 – Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 2 – Management Responsibility
  • Standard 6 – Recognition Events and Celebrations

University of Michigan Health System – Best in Class

  • Standard 1 – Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 2 – Management Responsibility
  • Standard 6 - Recognition Events and Celebrations
  • Standard 7 – Program Change and Flexibility

2010

Scotiabank – Best Overall Recognition Program

Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare – Best in Class

  • Standard 1 - Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 5 - Recognition Training

TELUS Communications – Best in Class

TD Canada Trust – Best in Class

  • Standard 3 - Recognition Program Measurement
  • Standard 4 – Communication Plan

2009

Delta Air Lines – Best Overall Recognition Program

Ohio State University Medical Center – Best in Class

  • Standard 1 – Recognition Strategy

Scotiabank – Best in Class

  • Standard 2 – Management and Responsibility
  • Standard 4 – Communication Plan
  • Standard 5 – Recognition Training
  • Standard 6 – Recognition Events and Celebrations

Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare – Best in Class

  • Standard 3 – Recognition Program Measurement

TELUS Communications – Best in Class

  • Standard 7 – Program Change and Flexibility

2008

Cargill, Inc. – Best Overall Recognition Program

Bank of America – Best in Class

  • Standard 5 - Recognition Training

Delta Airlines – Best in Class

  • Standard 6 - Recognition Events and Celebrations

Scotiabank – Best in Class:

  • Standard 1 - Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 4 - Communication Plan
  • Standard 7 - Program Change and Flexibility

TD Canada Trust – Best in Class

  • Standard 2 - Management Responsibility
  • Standard 3 - Recognition Program Measurement

2007

MGM Grand - Best Overall Recognition Program

Cargill, Inc. - Best in Class

  • Standard 1 - Recognition Strategy
  • Standard 2 - Management Responsibility
  • Standard 6 - Recognition Events & Celebrations

Scotiabank - Best in Class

  • Standard 3 - Recognition Program Measurement
  • Standard 7 - Program Change and Flexibility

Wells Fargo - Best in Class

  • Standard 4 - Communication Plan
  • Standard 5 - Recognition Training

2006

Westfield Group - Best Overall Recognition Program

Integris Health - Best in Class

  • Standard 3 - Recognition Program Measurement
  • Standard 4 - Communication Plan

2005

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center - Best Overall Recognition Program

University of Michigan HHC - Best in Class

  • Standard 4 - Recognition Program Communication Plan

2004

Best Practices Award Recipients
La Porte Regional Health System - Best Overall Recognition Program

Michigan Dept. of Transportation - Best in Class

  • Standard 4 - Recognition Program Communication Plan

2002

CalPers - Best Overall Recognition Program & Best in Class

Telus - Best in Class

  • Standard 4 - Recognition Communication Strategy
  • Standard 5 - Recognition Training
    Standard 7 - Process/Program Change and Flexibility

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