The Travel Marketing Awards are judged independently of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Travel Group. A voluntary panel of experienced travel industry marketing professionals—including experts from travel brands, agencies, and consultancies—is carefully selected to ensure that only the most outstanding entries receive one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades.

To maintain a fresh perspective while preserving continuity, a portion of the judging panel is refreshed each year, welcoming new industry voices and insights. Judges may be invited to serve for a maximum of three consecutive years.

Judges are organised into specialist panels, each led by an appointed Chair. Entries are evaluated via a secure online platform, where written submissions and supporting materials are scored. The cumulative scores determine the winners in each category. In cases of tied results or queries, judges convene in an online meeting to finalise decisions before the shortlist is announced.

Judging Criteria

To be eligible, TTMA judges must:

• Have senior-level expertise in at least one of the following areas within the travel sector: marketing, advertising, digital marketing, creative, brand management, social media, or PR.
• Commit to the responsibilities and requirements outlined below.
  

Serving as a TTMA judge is a valuable and rewarding experience that offers several benefits:

Exclusive Networking Opportunities

• Enjoy a complimentary ticket to the Awards ceremony as a guest of the CIM Travel Group, seated at a dedicated table.
• Connect with top travel marketers, industry experts, and fellow judges—expanding your professional network and fostering new collaborations.

Discounted Entry Fees

• Your organisation will receive discounted entry fees for submissions to the Awards.

Industry Insights

• Gain an in-depth understanding of cutting-edge marketing strategies, emerging trends, and best practices in travel marketing.

Professional Recognition

• Enhance your professional profile by being publicly acknowledged as a judge.
• Judges will be recognised on the Awards night, with their names displayed on-screen and featured in the printed Awards programme.

Influence and Impact

• Play a crucial role in setting industry benchmarks by recognizing and rewarding exceptional work in travel marketing.

Personal and Professional Grow

• Expand your expertise and perspective by evaluating a diverse range of campaigns, making this an intellectually stimulating and fulfilling experience.

As a TTMA judge, you will be required to:

  Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before accessing any entries.
  Evaluate submissions in one or more categories using our secure online platform. Scores and written feedback will help inform final discussions. The platform will be open between 11-25 April, 2025.
  Attend an online judges’ meeting on Thursday, 1 May (time to be confirmed based on your panel). During this session, judges will discuss tied results, address queries, and confirm final category winners. Clear winners will be verified by the panel Chair.
  Provide a headshot to be featured on the Awards website.
  Share expert tips for Awards entrants—such as “How to Write a Winning Entry” or “Why I Support the Awards as a Judge”—to be used in marketing materials.
  Help promote the Awards by sharing details within your professional and social networks.
  Declare any conflicts of interest within the online platform. This includes direct conflicts (e.g., working on a submitted project) or indirect conflicts (e.g., personal connections to an entrant). Judges will not be assigned categories where conflicts exist.

Yes! You will be assigned to categories that do not include any entries from your organisation. 

Will I need to travel for the judging process?

No. All judging is conducted online, including the judges’ meeting.

What is the judging timeline? 

• The online judging period: 11-25 April, 2025.
• Judges’ meeting: Thursday, 1 May, 2025 (time TBC).

How much time should I set aside for judging 

We recommend allocating 8–10 hours over the 14-day judging period. You do not need to complete your evaluations in one sitting.

How do I access the online platform?

You will need a PC with an internet connection. The platform is not mobile-friendly. You’ll receive login credentials and a brief tutorial before the judging period begins.

When is the Awards evening?

The Awards ceremony will take place on 9 July 2025 at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square. Judges will receive a complimentary ticket to attend as a guest of the CIM Travel Group.