AWARD CATEGORIES

The PlanON Awards are the highest honour OPPI can bestow and for that reason there may be no awards presented in a given category.
 
CELEBRATING PROJECTS

Members are invited to submit planning projects completed in 2023.  The jury will review, and deliberate which projects are worthy of either an Award of Merit or an Award of Excellence. There is no limit on the number of awards given in this category. The last important piece of the jury’s deliberations is to determine if there is a “Project of the Year”. This coveted award may or may not be given out. It is the only award in this program that is not released in advance. The Project of the Year is selected from among the Award of Excellence winners and is revealed at the awards ceremony

PlanON 2024 Vision Award
 
The PlanON Vision Award celebrates Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) and their teams who have demonstrated excellence in advancing the public interest by addressing key challenges facing the planning profession in Ontario, such as climate change, innovations in planning, affordable housing, transit, technology, and/or inclusivity.
 
Categories of excellence might include but are not limited to:

• Master plans
• Indigenous insights
• Community improvement plans
• Urban design concepts
• Recognizing innovative approaches to project management
• Policy development
• Public engagement
• Data management throughout the planning process

 
Through the evaluation of the submissions in this category, the goal for this category is to award as many awards as the judges determine should be awarded.  Additionally, we have added a “Project of the Year Award” that will be selected based on the scores of the recipients of the Awards of Excellence scoring. The winning submissions will be classified as an “Award of Excellence” or an “Award of Merit” based on the scoring below:

• Awards of Excellence (Scores of 90 – 100): This category recognizes submissions that celebrate unparalleled success inspiring a community of planners across the province.
• Awards of Merit (Scores of 80 – 89): This category recognizes submissions that show considerable dedication to the Planning profession and show an unwavering commitment to excellence.

 
CELEBRATING PEOPLE

PlanON Public Education Award
 
This award celebrates professional planners who have made meaningful contributions to advance public education within or outside the planning profession in Ontario. Submissions could include technical booklets, publications, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, audio-visual presentations, workshops, online information, open houses, and more. Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.
 
PlanON Innovative Research Award
 
This award celebrates innovative academic researchers within the planning profession who, through scholarly activities, including academic papers, research, or publications, have the ability to positively impact the future of the planning profession in Ontario. Submissions should contain evidence-based research that provides a fresh perspective or defines emerging areas of planning, while also offering insight into new focus areas for planners. Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.

PlanON Emerging Leadership Award
 
This award celebrates the future leaders of tomorrow within the planning profession by recognizing professionals in the first seven years of their careers, who exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others. Submissions should include any noteworthy contributions made to the planning profession during their time working as planners in Ontario. One (1) award may be given in this category.
 
PlanON RPP Leadership Award
 
This award celebrates the trailblazers within the planning profession by recognizing Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) who exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others. Submissions should include any noteworthy contributions made to the planning profession during their time working as planners in Ontario. One (1) award may be given in this category.
 
 
PlanON Volunteer Service Award
 
The OPPI Volunteer Service Award recognizes the extraordinary service and significant contribution of OPPI volunteers. The awards recognize volunteers who have raised awareness for the planning profession, mentored students, or nurtured relationships, been involved with a special project or program, and more. Recipients of this award are chosen by a separate group of judges, made up of OPPI District Leadership Team members and other volunteers. Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.
 

GENERAL ELIGILIBTY

IMPORTANT FOR 2024: Going forward in 2024 and beyond, submissions to the PlanON Awards will only be accepted within the last two years.

General eligibility criteria:

• Applicants can self-nominate and/or be nominated by their employer, colleagues, or others.
• Applicants and/or nominees must be a member of OPPI in good standing.
• Applicants must have led or played a significant role in the project submission.
• Applicants must certify that their client is aware of and supports the submission.
• Applicants must own or have approval to share intellectual property for promotion purposes.
• Applicants may submit a project only once in one category.
• Applicants may submit an additional project in another category.
• Projects submitted must be relating to work that was built, implemented, adopted, approved, published, etc., within the province of Ontario.

AWARD-SPECIFIC eligility

AWARD	SPECIFIC ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA	SPECIFIC SUBMISSION QUESTIONS	SUPPORTING MATERIALS
PlanON Public Education Award	Individuals or teams with at least one Full or Candidate OPPI member in good standing	Who was your target audience? How did your work advance public education about planning? How did you measure success?	Up to two (2) supporting documents that clearly identify the work submitted One-page cover letter identifying which pages or information within the supporting documents jurors should review as part of the submission
PlanON Innovative Research Award	Student, Pre-Candidate, Candidate, and Full OPPI members in good standing Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral theses are accepted	What emerging areas of planning or new focus areas are revealed by your research? What is the implication of your research on the planning profession? How can your research positively impact the future of the planning profession in Ontario?	One (1) letter of support from the advising professor (if applicable) Up to two (2) supporting documents that clearly identify the work submitted One-page cover letter identifying which pages or information within the supporting documents jurors should review as part of the submission
PlanON 2024 Vision Award	Teams with at least one Full OPPI member in good standing. The OPPI member must have played a substantial role in the project(e.g., team leader, senior planner, etc.). Submissions must be for projects within the province of Ontario. Documentation/Project must be built, implemented, adopted, approved, published, etc. within three years preceding the submissions.	How did your work tackle and aim to solve the most important issues facing the planning profession in Ontario such as, climate change, affordable housing, technology, inclusivity, and more? How did your work exemplify principles of good planning in the public interest such as, considering diverse voices, allied professionals, environmental impacts, short-term needs and long-term vision, and more? How does this submission consider evaluation as part of the project’s success? Does this submission innovate a new concept or creatively refine existing technique or procedure? If so, how?	Up to two (2) supporting documents that clearly identify the work submitted One-page cover letter identifying which pages or information within the supporting documents jurors should review as part of the submission
PlanON Emerging Leadership Award	Pre-Candidate, Candidate, or Full OPPI members in good standing with less than seven (7) years of planning work experience	What does being an emerging leader mean to you? How do you or the nominee exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others? What recent noteworthy contributions have you or the nominee made to the planning profession during your time working as a planner in Ontario?	Two (2) letters of support from an employer or planning colleague Up to two (2) supporting documents
PlanON RPP Leadership Award	Full OPPI members, in good standing, with more than seven (7) years of planning work experience	What does being a leader mean to you? How do you or the nominee exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others? What recent noteworthy contributions have you or the nominee made to the planning profession during your time working as a planner in Ontario?	Two (2) letters of support from an employer or planning colleague Up to two (2) supporting documents
PlanON Volunteer Service Award	Any OPPI member in good standing Previous recipients cannot be awarded again	What recent noteworthy contributions have you or the nominee made in your time as an OPPI volunteer? What does being an OPPI volunteer mean to you? What qualities have you or the nominee demonstrated in your time as an OPPI volunteer?	Submissions must be accompanied by two letters of support from an OPPI member Up to two (2) supporting documents

HOW TO SUBMIT

It's FREE to enter your submission to the PlanON Awards!

1. Compile answers to all specific submission questions.
2. Gather all supporting materials.
3. Complete one online entry form and upload all supporting materials. 

juror profiles

The PlanON Awards are judged by a panel of jurors, consisting of OPPI members and allied professionals. The jury panel can be made of up individuals from within and outside the planning profession from diverse geographic areas, sectors, backgrounds, and demographics.  Meet the jurors!  
 

2023 planon award winners

Meet the winners of the 2023 PlanON Awards! 

And don’t forget to purchase tickets for the PlanON Awards Soirée, honouring the exceptional achievements of OPPI members who demonstrate professional excellence and a commitment to advancing the planning profession in Ontario. This is the awards party you won’t want to miss!

 

Questions?
Contact communications@ontarioplanners.ca.