Champion

The Inspiring Efficiency Champion Award is presented to the organization or individual who successfully took actions to ensure all communities are able to take advantage of the benefits of energy efficiency; or who has worked with a community organization or addressed an issue specific to a community, particularly a historically excluded community, in a unique and purposeful way to enact change.

Organizations or individuals can be nominated in two areas, as a champion of energy equity and as a champion of community engagement. All levels of champions, including local team leaders, are welcomed for consideration.

Education

The Inspiring Efficiency Education Award will be presented to the organization that increased knowledge of and action on energy efficiency among policymakers, stakeholders or target audience through an initiative or strategy.

The Education Award highlights an effort to raise awareness and promote learning of energy efficiency, building science principles or related topics, as well as opportunities to train and expand the energy efficiency workforce. This can be through workforce development programs, community outreach programs or advocacy efforts targeted at policymakers or stakeholders regarding policy and program plans.

Please note that any marketing campaigns to increase participation in energy efficiency programs should apply in the Marketing category.

Impact

The Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award will be presented to the organization that has made a significant and measurable impact through a project, program or strategy to reduce energy consumption or resulted in a quantifiable positive impact on health, emissions reductions, energy burden or other societal impact, based on the target market.

It is important to include quantifiable results to highlight direct effects on targeted energy consumers and to be able to accurately review the application. Share related metrics and specify if program results have been evaluated.

Innovation

The Inspiring Efficiency Innovation Award will be presented to the nominee that has developed and implemented a successful new and innovative program, campaign or strategy or has implemented a program in a new and innovative way.

Programs nominated in this category may exist elsewhere, but the concept of bringing an existing program to the Midwest will not be considered innovative on its own. Please share aspects of program implementation that create a unique or new offering to customers.

Leadership

The Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award is presented to the organization or individual who has served as a strong leader in support of energy efficiency in their city, state, region, company or community. 

Organizations or individuals can be nominated in two areas, as an industry leader or as a rising star.

Marketing

The Inspiring Efficiency Marketing Award will be presented to the nominee that has engaged in or supported a successful marketing campaign to increase participation in energy efficiency programs, expand adoption or market penetration of energy efficient products and/or alter public behaviors or practices in the Midwest.

The Marketing Award highlights unique and thoughtful marketing campaigns that connect customers with energy efficiency programs and related products or create an opportunity for customers or other targeted audiences to change their behaviors related to energy consumption.

Please note that any educational efforts focused on increasing knowledge of or action on energy efficiency should apply in the Education category.