About the Awards

Since 1995, the Society for Information Management Chicago Chapter together with The Executives’ Club of Chicago and the AITP Chicago Chapter have recognized exceptional technology leaders in Chicagoland with the premier CIO of the Year Awards.

A group of volunteer peer judges review each year's candidates, looking for CIOs that demonstrate leadership in driving business value and technology innovation, forging strong business partnerships, and creating best-in-class workplaces for IT professionals

Winners are selected for the following awards and announced at SIM Chicago's Fall Gala:

The CIO+ Award celebrates a CIO who has successfully expanded their current role into other business areas like operations, marketing, sales, finance, etc. thus, broadening their impact on driving success for the overall business.

The CIO Innovator Award recognizes a CIO who has been innovative in their use of technology to produce business results far above the other nominees.

The CIO Impact Award, which recognizes those CIOs who have made significant and measurable social or economic impact within their communities.

And, finally, the CIO of the Year honors the best of the best in the Chicago area - demonstrating strong results in the following categories:

• Leadership Role in the Business
• Value Creation
• Value Protection
• Team Development
• Building Relationships
• Innovation
• Community Involvement

Nomination and Application Process: 2024 Awards

To nominate a CIO - yourself or someone else - Please complete the online form by May 13.

Nominees will automatically receive an email asking them to accept the nomination. Acceptance are due by May 27.

If accepted, candidates will receive the awards application via email. Candidates will be invited to an in-person reception, which will be held on June 20, to meet this year's judges and learn more about the awards.

Completed applications are due July 24.

Finalists are selected and will be announced at an in-person event on September 4, and will be followed by the "Meet the Finalists" series of moderated conversations held virtually throughout October. Award winners are selected based on the results of these conversations and interviews with senior executives and announced on November 20 at the in-person SIM Chicago Fall Gala.

Each year, 20+ top CIO's are nominated by their CIO peers, company CEOs and other senior executives. Those nominated will receive an email asking to formally accept the nomination and provide a headshot and bio. These candidates will then receive a formal application that provides the ability to talk about their key initiatives, contributions, and impact that fall under several key category areas such as

Key Dates:

5/13     Nominations Due

5/27     Nomination Acceptances Due

6/20     Candidates & Judges Reception

7/24     Applications Due

9/4       Finalists Announcement Reception

10/2     Meet the Finalists - Session 1

            Time: 5-6:30 p.m.   Location: Zoom

10/9     Meet the Finalists - Session 2

            Time: 5-6:30 p.m.   Location: Zoom

10/16   Meet the Finalists - Session 3

            Time: 5-6:30 p.m.   Location: Zoom

10/23   Meet the Finalists - Session 4

            Time: 5-6:30 p.m.   Location: Zoom

11/20   SIM Chicago Fall Gala & CIO of the Year Awards Ceremony

Eligibility
Nominees must hold the top IT position in the company (e.g., CIO, CTO, SVP or VP of Technology) and recognized as a leader in the industry. Only those nominees who have been in their role more than two years will be considered for the CIO of the Year Award. All others are considered for the CIO+, CIO Innovator, and CIO Impact Award.

Nominees do not need to be a member of SIM Chicago, AITP Chicago, nor The Executive's Club of Chicago, but must attend the SIM Chicago Fall Gala scheduled for November 2024.

Any other questions should be sent to ciooftheyear@sim-chicago.org