Mark of Excellence FAQ

General Overview 

What is the Mark of Excellence (MOE)? 
The Mark of Excellence Awards recognize top performers, properties, and companies in the rental housing industry, celebrating innovation and excellence across multiple categories.  

Who can be nominated? 
Professionals, properties, companies, and supplier partners within the rental housing industry are eligible depending on category. 

When is the awards event? 
The 2026 awards ceremony will be held on November 6.  

Nominations & Deadlines 

When do nominations open and close? 

  • Deadline to Purchase Nominations with No Late Fee: July 17 
  • Application Submission Deadline: July 24  

Can I save my work and come back later?
Yes. If you leave before submitting, simply log back into the same Submittable account using the same email address and password.

Can I submit after the deadline? 
Yes, but: 

  • Late submissions will require a fee
  • Extensions are limited and must be requested in advance  

What happens if I miss the final deadline?

All nominations are automatically submitted on the deadline day, even if incomplete. No edits are allowed after submission. 

Can I request an extension?
Limited extensions may be available on a case-by-case basis. Approved extensions are subject to a $25 per nomination extension fee.

What if I miss the deadline entirely?
Contact SCRHA immediately. Acceptance after the deadline cannot be guaranteed.

    Submission Process 

    How do I create a Submittable account?
    When you open the application link:

    • Select Create Account.
    • Enter:
      • First Name
      • Last Name
      • Email Address
    • Create your password.
    • Access your application.


    Which email address should I use?

    We recommend:

    • Individual Awards: Use your professional work email.
      • Examples: Leasing Professional of the Year, Property Manager of the Year, Rising Star Award
    • Property Awards: Use the property's email address.
      • Examples: Property of the Year, Repositioned Property of the Year, Property Management Company of the Year

    If you have multiple nominations, use a different email address for each nomination whenever possible.

    How do I recover my password?
    Go to the Submittable login page. Click Reset Password and enter your email address.Follow the instructions sent to your inbox.

    How do I submit my nomination? 
    After you purchase your nomination ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to complete and submit your application through the Submittable platform. 

    Can I prepare my answers in advance? 
    Yes. You’re encouraged to download and prepare answers before entering them into the system. You’ll be given the questions in a confirmation email after nomination ticket purchase. 

    Can I save my application and finish it later?
    Yes. You can save your progress and return to complete your application before the deadline. We recommend drafting your responses in a separate document and copying them into the application when you're ready.

    Why won't my formatting paste correctly?
    Some formatting, including bullets and special symbols, may not transfer correctly. If needed, paste as plain text and apply formatting within the application.

    Is there a word limit?
    Yes. Each question includes its own maximum word count. Keep your responses concise and focused on measurable results.

    Can I edit my submission after submitting? 
    No. Once an application has been submitted, it cannot be edited. If changes are required, contact SCRHA to request that your application be reopened. A reopening fee may apply.

    What happens if I don't finish my application by the deadline?
    Any incomplete application will automatically be submitted at the deadline and judged based on the information provided.

    Judging & Selection 


    How are nominees evaluated? 
    Entries are scored based on defined judging criteria. Reviewing the criteria in advance is strongly recommended. Link to view scoring criteria will be given in confirmation email after nomination ticket purchase. 

    What happens after submission? 

    Applications are reviewed and scored and top-scoring nominees advance to interviews. Interviews are conducted virtually and final results are determined using written and interview scoring.

    • Finalist interviews: August 3 – 28  
    • Winners announced at the awards ceremony on November 6 

    I was selected as a finalist. What's next?
    Congratulations! Finalists will participate in an interview between August 3 and August 28. Review your nomination before the interview and be prepared to expand on the examples and accomplishments you included in your submission.

    AI Usage 

    Can I use AI to help write my submission? 
    Yes, but you must disclose that AI was used in your responses.  

    What if I used AI and forgot to disclose it?
    Contact SCRHA as soon as possible. AI-assisted content must be disclosed in accordance with the competition rules.


    Sponsorships & Participation 

    How can my company get more visibility at MOE? 
    Through sponsorship opportunities, which include branding, tickets, and promotional exposure. 

    Do sponsorships include event tickets? 
    Yes, most sponsorship tiers include complimentary tickets and marketing visibility.

    Technical Issues

    I'm having trouble accessing my application.
    Your application link is included in the confirmation email sent to the purchaser of the nomination. Check your spam or junk folder first. If you still cannot locate it, contact SCRHA.

    My payment won't process.
    Verify that your billing information matches your payment method and try again. If you're using a company credit card, check with your accounting department. If the issue continues, contact SCRHA.

    Logistics 

    Can I stay overnight for the event? 
    Yes, a discounted room block is available for attendees.  

    Contact Support


    When should I contact SCRHA?

    Please contact us if:

    • You cannot locate your confirmation email after checking your spam folder.
    • Your payment continues to fail after multiple attempts.
    • A technical error prevents you from accessing or submitting your application.
    • You have questions that are not addressed in this FAQ.

    Who do I contact for help? 
    SCRHA Events Team 
    📞 858-278-8070