AMCHAM CSR Excellence (ACE) Awards
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a key pillar of ethical business. At AMCHAM, we are proud of what our member companies do to give back to Thailand and Thai society, making the business and social environment better for all of us.
To honor these efforts, AMCHAM awards ACE Recognition to companies that demonstrate an advanced understanding of the linkages between business operations and society, and conduct business in a way that creates long-term economic and social value. Our goal is to identify excellence, not just through individual projects or monetary contributions, but through good internal strategy and systems to support CSR and integrate it throughout the company's business practices. In 2019, 66 AMCHAM members received ACE Recognition status. In addition, each year we grant a few Special Awards for exceptional individual projects that represent the best of CSR programming.
Throughout the year, our CSR Committee shares these best practices with the entire membership, providing support and resources for member companies who are developing or improving their CSR strategies.
Each November, in Thanksgiving week, AMCHAM hosts the ACE Awards Gala Dinner to celebrate our award winners. The 2019 ACE Awards Gala Dinner was held at Shangri-La Bangkok on November 18, 2019.
2019 ACE AWARDS TIMELINE
July 15: Applications open
August 15: Applications due
September: Applications scored, semi-finalists selected for special awards
October: Special award applications due
November: Special award finalists present to judging panels
November 18: ACE Awards Gala Dinner
ACE AWARDS FAQ
Please scroll to the bottom of the page or download here.
ACE Recognition
AMCHAM awards ACE Recognition each year to companies whose overall business practices meet a benchmark of CSR excellence. In addition, we recognize different tiers for companies who receive this award in consecutive years:
ACE Silver level: 3 consecutive years
ACE Gold level: 5 consecutive years
ACE Platinum level: 10 consecutive years
In 2019, we are proud to announce the first firms being recognized at the Platinum level.
ACE Special Awards
Our ACE Special Awards honor individual projects that represent excellence in CSR programming. The 2019 special award categories are:
♦ Excellence in a CSR Project
♦ Excellence in Project Supporting Thai Development
♦ The Ambassador’s Award for Excellence in Thai-U.S. Partnership
People's Choice Award
In 2019, we are introducing a new People’s Choice Award, to be decided by general vote by AMCHAM members. This year, companies eligible for Platinum status have been invited to participate, and we will be sharing more information about their projects via the AMCHAM website and social media. Voting will open on October 16.
#peopleschoice #amchamthailand #csr
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of ACE Recognition?
Show MoreWhat are the benefits of ACE Recognition?
- Honored at AMCHAM at special Dinner in November
- Permanent recognition at AMCHAM office for Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels
- Social media promotion
- Acknowledgement on AMCHAM website
- Recognition in AMCHAM press release
- Invitation to present at AMCHAM CSR monthly meeting
- Featured in TAB magazine article
Who can apply for ACE Recognition?
Show MoreWho can apply for ACE Recognition?
ACE recognition is open to all AMCHAM members in good standing who:
- Demonstrate a commitment to good CSR practices;
- Have CSR strategy operating at least one year (starting 31 May 2018); and
- Are willing to share information with other AMCHAM members
What are the evaluation criteria for ACE recognition?
Show MoreWhat are the evaluation criteria for ACE recognition?
The evaluation is an automated scoring, with review, based on responses to the questionnaire. The CSR Committee retains the right to ask for additional details.
ACE recognition is, in large part, centered on these main criteria:
1) Sustainability
- Stakeholder engagement in all phases of activity – especially planning
- Employee involvement
2) Communication
- Sharing best practices
- Sustainability reporting
- Public communications
3) Integration with company mission
- Creation of long-term economic gain for targeted beneficiaries
- Creation of wider societal benefits
- Creativity of approach
4) Measurability of results
- Data collection and impact assessment
- CSR – related KPI
- CSR – related ROI
5) Organizational Policy
- People with disabilities
- LGBQTI
6) Partnerships
- Strength and range of strategic partnerships
- Depth of partnerships
What does 'recognition' mean?
Show MoreWhat does 'recognition' mean?
ACE recognizes AMCHAM member efforts to conduct business in a sustainable manner based upon important CSR criteria. Contrary to popular belief, this is not related to CSR charitable donations. Key to ACE recognition is good internal strategy and systems to support CSR, not individual projects. Individual CSR projects are recognized through the awards.
What are the levels of ACE recognition?
Show MoreWhat are the levels of ACE recognition?
Recognition for CSR excellence is granted as follows:
- ACE Recognition: a firm that passes the numerical scoring evaluation, based upon their application survey
- ACE Silver level: a firm passes the evaluation for 3 consecutive years;
- ACE Gold level: a firm passes the evaluation for 5 consecutive years;
- ACE Platinum level: a firm passes the evaluation for 10 consecutive years.
- Continuing AMCHAM's CSR leadership among foreign chambers in Thailand.
How do I apply?
Show MoreHow do I apply?
Simply complete the on-line application survey by the 15 August application deadline at the link at the top of this page.
Why did the Board launch this program?
Show MoreWhy did the Board launch this program?
The AMCHAM Board and the CSR Committee seek to highlight the efforts of member companies by:
- Raising awareness of CSR among AMCHAM members,
- Providing recognition to member firms with exemplary CSR programs,
- Gathering information on CSR best practices to share with all AMCHAM member companies, and
- Continuing AMCHAM's CSR leadership among foreign chambers in Thailand.
Are SMEs held to the same standard as larger firms?
Show MoreAre SMEs held to the same standard as larger firms?
SMEs are held to a lower numeric scoring threshold for ACE recognition that is more in line with their budgets and capabilities. However, for the Special Awards, all semi-finalists and finalists are judged under the same criteria.
What are the “Special Awards”?
Show MoreWhat are the “Special Awards”?
Beginning in 2016, ACE afforded companies who scored exceptionally well on the numerical scoring evaluation the opportunity to apply for a special award to honor internal or external project that represented excellence in CSR programming. As such, the special awards are a competition, and allow companies with excellent CSR programs to be recognized and possibly awarded for their efforts. Companies selected for the short-list will be given an opportunity to accept or decline consideration for the awards. Winners of special awards from 2016, 2017 and 2018 are not eligible to receive special awards in 2019 (three year cool off period for award winners).
In keeping with the spirit of AMCHAM in Thailand, these awards typically support key priorities important to AMCHAM members companies, and both the US and Thai government.
The 2019 Award Theme is on development and partnerships.
What is the judging process for the Special Awards?
Show MoreWhat is the judging process for the Special Awards?
- Screening and selection for recognition
- Top (for each special award) 10 go to semi-finals (invitation only)
- CSR Committee screening and categorization (may include follow-up meetings)
- Selection of 3 Finalists
- Judging panel evaluation and selection (finalists must present to the judges)
- Winners announced at the gala dinner
All special award winners will be announced the night of the gala. Winners are NOT informed in advance if they have won a special award.
Who are the past Special Award winners?
Show MoreWho are the past Special Award winners?
2016 Special Award Winners
Best in Class: General: Chevron; SME: Top
Ambassador’s Award: Laguna Resorts
Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Award: Chevron
2017 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project: IBM
Excellence in Partnership (Ambassador’s Award): Western Digital
Excellence in Promoting Thailand 4.0: Dow Chemical
2018 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project Award: Minor
Excellence in CSR Project Award (under 1 million baht): Cargill
Excellence in Promoting Smart People: Microsoft
Excellence in Education Partnership (the Ambassador’s Award): Cisco
What is the judging process for the People's Choice Award?
Show MoreWhat is the judging process for the People's Choice Award?
This year's candidates for Platinum Status have been invited to submit their star projects for the People's Choice Award. These projects will be featured on the AMCHAM website and through AMCHAM social media from September - November 2019. The prize will be awarded by member vote. Voting will open from October 16, and the winner will be announced at the AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards Gala Dinner on November 18.
When are the awards presented (ACE Awards Gala Dinner)?
Show MoreWhen are the awards presented (ACE Awards Gala Dinner)?
We will announce the members receiving ACE Recognition and the short-list of special award finalists at the Thanksgiving Gala Dinner. The event may include a keynote talk on CSR, short presentations by the CSR committee on CSR, and recognition ceremony for all qualifying firms. The special award winners will be announced the night of the gala. Winners are NOT informed in advance if they have won a special award.