Terms & Conditions
The rules and commitments that govern nomination, evaluation, and recognition across every cycle of the World GM Awards.
These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") set out the basis on which properties, organisations, and individuals may participate in the World GM Awards (the "Awards", "we", "us", "our") — the global recognition programme honouring General Managers and senior leaders across hotels, resorts, restaurants, spa & wellness, tourism, and aviation. By submitting a nomination, accepting recognition, or otherwise engaging with our programme, you agree to be bound by the Terms below. Please read them carefully and retain a copy for your records. If you are nominating on behalf of an organisation, you confirm that you are authorised to do so. Last updated 18 June 2026.
1. Eligibility
The Awards are open to General Managers and senior hospitality leaders across hotels, resorts, restaurants, spa & wellness, tourism, and aviation, regardless of property size or geography. Nominees must hold a genuine leadership role and be in good standing in their organisation. Where a category specifies particular criteria, such as a minimum tenure, sector focus, or scope of responsibility, those criteria take precedence and must be met as at the nomination deadline. A leader may be self-nominated or proposed by a colleague, employer, or peer with appropriate consent. We reserve the right to verify eligibility at any point and to decline or withdraw nominations that do not satisfy the stated requirements. Members of the organising body and serving jurors may not be considered in categories in which a conflict of interest exists.
2. Nominations
Nominations may be self-submitted or proposed by a third party and must be completed through our official channels. All information provided must be accurate, current, and capable of substantiation on request. Supporting materials, including written submissions, performance metrics, references, and media, must be the nominee's own or properly licensed for use in evaluation. Incomplete nominations, or nominations received after a published deadline, may not be considered. We may, at our discretion, request clarification, additional evidence, or an interview before a nomination is finalised. Submitting a nomination does not guarantee shortlisting or any award. You can begin a submission at any time through our nomination form, and you may review available categories on the award categories page.
3. Fees & Payment
Certain stages of participation may carry a fee, which will be disclosed before any payment obligation arises. Fees, where applicable, cover administration, evaluation, and the cost of running a rigorous, merit-based jury process; full details appear on our fees page. Payment must be made in the currency and by the method specified at the point of nomination. Unless expressly stated otherwise, fees are non-refundable once a nomination has entered evaluation, including where a nominee is not shortlisted or does not win. We are not responsible for bank charges, currency conversion costs, or transaction fees levied by third parties. Any taxes or duties applicable to a payment are the responsibility of the payer.
4. Jury Evaluation & Decisions
Nominations are assessed by an independent jury against published criteria relevant to each category. Our judging process is merit-based, impartial, evidence-led, and consistent across nominees. There is no public voting; outcomes are determined solely on the merit of each nomination. Scores and deliberations are confidential, and individual feedback is provided only where the programme explicitly offers it. The decisions of the jury and the organisers are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome of any category. We reserve the right to reallocate, merge, withhold, or not award a category where the standard of nominations does not, in the jury's judgement, warrant recognition. Past results can be viewed on our past winners page.
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5. Use of Winner Marks
Winners, finalists, and nominees granted permission may use the corresponding official marks, badges, titles, and digital badges solely to denote their genuine achievement and only for the cycle and category awarded. Marks must be reproduced without alteration to their proportions, colours, or wording, and must not be used in a manner that implies endorsement beyond the recognition actually received. Use of any mark must cease, or be appropriately qualified by year, if it could mislead as to current status. We may issue brand guidelines governing such use, and we reserve the right to revoke permission where a mark is misused or where the underlying nomination is found to have been misrepresented.
6. Intellectual Property
All trade marks, logos, names, and creative assets associated with the World GM Awards remain our property or that of our licensors, and no right or licence is granted except as expressly set out in these Terms. Nominees retain ownership of the intellectual property in their own submissions but grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted names, photographs, summaries, and approved imagery for the purposes of administering, judging, and publicising the Awards, including on our website, in gala materials, and in press communications. You confirm that your submission does not infringe the rights of any third party and that you have secured all necessary permissions for any material included.
7. Liability
The Awards are provided on a reasonable-efforts basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all warranties, conditions, and representations not expressly stated in these Terms. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss, nor for loss of profit, revenue, goodwill, or business opportunity arising from participation in, or the outcome of, the Awards. Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Where we are found liable despite the above, our total aggregate liability shall not exceed the fees actually paid by the nominee for the relevant cycle.
8. Privacy
We process personal data provided during nomination and participation in accordance with applicable data protection law and our privacy policy. Data is used to administer nominations, communicate with participants, conduct jury evaluation, and publicise results. We apply appropriate technical and organisational safeguards and retain information only as long as necessary for these purposes or as required by law. We do not sell personal data. If you have questions about how your information is handled, or wish to exercise your rights in relation to it, please contact us using the details below.
9. Changes
We may amend these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our programme, legal requirements, or operating practice. The current version will always be published on this page, with the effective date noted above. Material changes affecting active entrants will be communicated where reasonably practicable. Continued participation after a change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We also reserve the right to vary category structures, deadlines, criteria, and event arrangements, and will endeavour to give reasonable notice of any significant change.
10. Governing Law
These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or with participation in the Awards, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Emirate of Dubai and the applicable federal laws of the United Arab Emirates. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Dubai, UAE, in respect of any such dispute. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
11. Contact
Questions about these Terms, eligibility, or any aspect of participation are welcome. Please reach our team through the contact page, by email at awards@goldentreeawards.com, or by phone/WhatsApp at +971 58 586 2014. You can also consult our frequently asked questions for quick guidance or learn more about our mission on the about page. When you are ready to take part, begin your nomination at any time.