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 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. 

Submission Process 

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 edit my submission after submitting? 
No. Once submitted, entries cannot be modified unless re-opened for a fee of $40 per occurrence.  

Is there a character/word limit for my answers to the nomination questions? 
Yes. Each answer box has a word limit, so responses must be concise. 

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. 

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? 

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

AI Usage 

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


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.

Logistics 

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

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