After a brief hiatus, the ESPC Inspire Awards are back for 2025 and are ready to celebrate the people and contributions that make our community thrive. Whether it’s a podcast you listen to, a mentor who’s changed your trajectory, or someone making a tangible difference in diversity and inclusion – these awards give community heroes their moment!

What Are the ESPC Inspire Awards?

The ESPC Inspire Awards honour the people, content and moments that make our Microsoft, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Azure and AI community stronger, more inclusive and more inspiring.

• Everyone can take part by nominating, including putting yourself forward. The nomination form can be found here.
• Nominations close on 10 October 2025, so now is the perfect time to submit your entry.
• The organisers will reveal finalists on 17th October, and they will announce winners at ESPC25 in Dublin on 2nd December.
• While a judging panel decides many awards, attendees choose Best Tutorial and Best Session through on-site voting in the event app during the conference.

Award Categories: Who Can You Nominate?

Here’s a run-down of the categories and ideas for how to think about nominations. (Hint: don’t overthink it! Go with passion and impact.)

• Best Community Contributor: Nominate someone who quietly supports, champions others and strengthens connections in the community. This is often someone you see answering questions, helping newcomers, boosting others’ work, or just being generous with their time.
• Best Podcast: Which tech podcast do you look forward to? Which one consistently delivers useful insight, fresh voices or engaging discussions?
• Best YouTube Channel: Out of all the video creators you follow, which one helps you learn, inspires you or makes difficult concepts accessible?
• Diversity Leader: This is for people actively driving inclusion: creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, giving voice to underrepresented folks and making the community more welcoming.
• Best Mentor: Think of someone who has guided and encouraged others on their learning journey. Their mentees have grown because of their advice, support, and inspiration.
• Tech Leader: A person who leads not just with authority, but with vision, empathy and ability to bring out the best in their teams and peers.
• Tech Trailblazer: This is for the innovators. Those pushing boundaries, experimenting with new ideas, sharing their discoveries and inspiring others to think bigger.

• Best Tutorial: The tutorial that gets the highest attendee rating during Tutorial Day wins.
• Best Session: The top three rated sessions (by attendees via the event app) each receive an award.
• Best Sponsor Booth: A sponsor booth that stands out for creativity, engagement, innovation or simply unforgettable experience.
• Best Social Media Post: Using the hashtag #ESPC25, a post that captures the spirit, insight, or emotion of the conference will be selected by the judging panel.

Why You Should Nominate (or Self-Nominate)

• Recognition matters. Many contributors do amazing work without seeking awards. As a result, nominations amplify their voices and show appreciation.
• It inspires others. Recognising individuals gives others role models to follow, especially newcomers.
• It builds community. Nominating people is a way to share stories and connect more deeply within the community.
• You might win! Yes, you can nominate yourself. If you have contributed, shared, taught, mentored – go for it!
• It’s fast & meaningful. A few minutes to fill out a nomination form can have a big impact on someone’s year.

How to Nominate

1. Visit the ESPC Inspire Awards webpage for all the details: ESPC Inspire Awards | ESPC Conference, 2025
2. Or head straight to the nomination form by clicking here.
3. On the first page of the nomination form, fill out your name and email address so we know who is submitting nominations.
4. Then click “Next” to begin the nomination process.
5. For each category, you will be asked if you are submitting a nomination for this category. If you select “No” you will go to the next category.
6. If you click “Yes” you will then be asked to share the name of your nominee plus the reasons why you are nominating this person.
7. Nominations close on the 10th October 2025.
8. Spread the word and encourage others to nominate too.

Let’s make sure the people who make this community richer get the recognition they deserve. Whether you nominate someone else or step forward yourself, do not wait any longer! The nomination window closes 10th October 2025. Let’s celebrate those who inspire us!