AWARDS & RECOGNITION

At PSIA-AASI Western, we’re continually inspired by your dedication, passion, and expertise. 

You are the heart of our vibrant community; we relish opportunities to celebrate your incredible contributions! 

We’re thrilled to share our new awards program, launching in Fall 2025, designed to recognize outstanding achievements across all facets of our organization. 

Building on the immense the legacy of the Nic Fiore Award, this expanded program allows us to truly shine a light on the diverse excellence within our membership.

Our Awards and Recognition committee aims to foster a culture of achievement, promote leadership, and inspire continuous professional growth, ensuring our winter sports community remains as vibrant, inclusive, and engaged as ever.

Get ready to celebrate, because this program is all about YOU!

Annual Timeline

November 30, 2025

Program Launch

  • Launch the program—email announcement and website post detailing award categories, nomination criteria, and deadlines.

Dec 2025 - Feb 2026

Monthly Reminders

Monthly reminders and promotion events explaining awards and nominating process.

March 14, 2026

Nomination Window Closes

Please note, if no one is nominated for a specific award, no awards will be given for that category for that year.

March 28, 2026

Committee Finalizes Winners

The committee will come to final decisions on winners and will plan to announce at Spring Convention.

Spring Convention 2026

Awards Ceremony

Formal awards ceremony for all winners at the annual Spring Convention Dinner, held the Saturday evening of the event. 

Eligibility

Western Region members and employees who are in good standing and current in accordance with the Continuing Education Policy of the Western Region.

Priority will be given to members whose primary or sole regional affiliation is the Western Region and to members who currently live and work in the Western Region. 

Award Categories / Names

Nic Fiore Unsung Hero Legacy Award

Purpose: Recognize a long-serving member who has made a sustained, behind-the-scenes impact on the region.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Minimum 20 years of active involvement in the Western Region
  • Demonstrated history of volunteer service, committee involvement, or mentorship.
  • Emphasis is on contributions that are long-term and qualitative in nature as opposed to short-term achievements or single events
  • Embodies PSIA-AASI core values (integrity, respect, passion, continuous improvement).
  • Rarely seeks the spotlight but is widely respected by peers and leaders.

Rising Leader Award

Purpose: Celebrate a newer member (3–5 years) showing exceptional promise and engagement.

Nominating Criteria:

  • 3 to 5 years of active membership in the Western Region.
  • Actively involved in events, initiatives, or committees.
  • Demonstrates leadership, professionalism, and strong peer collaboration.
  • Shows initiative in advancing PSIA-AASI goals and promoting regional cohesion.

Instructional Excellence Award

Purpose: Honor an experienced instructor for consistently exceptional on-snow teaching and guest experience.

Nominating Criteria:

  • 10 to 20 years of experience as a snowsports instructor.
  • Strong guest retention and repeat clientele.
  • Recognized for exemplary instruction, technical skill, positive learning environments, and effective communication.
  • Respected by peers, supervisors, and member schools.
  • May be awarded across different certification levels and/or primary discipline certification.

Member School of the Year Award

Purpose: Honor an experienced instructor for consistently exceptional on-snow teaching and guest experience.

Nominating Criteria:

  • 10 to 20 years of experience as a snowsports instructor.
  • Strong guest retention and repeat clientele.
  • Recognized for exemplary instruction, technical skill, positive learning environments, and effective communication.
  • Respected by peers, supervisors, and member schools.
  • May be awarded across different certification levels and/or primary discipline certification.

PSIA-AASI School Supervisor Leadership Award

Purpose: To formally recognize and honor a supervisor at a PSIA-AASI member school who demonstrates exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and commitment to developing instructors, improving staff culture, and furthering the mission of PSIA-AASI.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Leadership & Mentorship – Demonstrates strong leadership skills and provides mentorship that supports the professional growth of instructors.
  • Operational Impact – Improves or maintains high operational standards, efficiency, and staff organization within the school.
  • Support of PSIA-AASI Values – Actively promotes the association's core values, including lifelong learning, inclusivity, and professionalism.
  • Culture Building – Fosters a positive work environment that supports instructor engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
  • Innovation or Problem-Solving – Has implemented or led efforts that solve systemic challenges or improve staff and guest experience.

Operational Excellence Award

Purpose: Acknowledge a staff member who significantly contributes behind the scenes to the region’s success.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Current employee of the region in an event or administrative role (regional ed staff, event support, admin support).
  • Demonstrates excellence in communication, coordination, and execution.
  • Actively mentors or supports instructors, staff, or committees.
  • Involved in regional or national task forces or special projects.

National Impact Award

Purpose: Honor a member who represents the Western Region at the national level and drives alignment.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Serves in a national PSIA-AASI role (board member, national team, committee, task force, etc.).
  • Brings national insights and innovations back to the Western Region.
  • Actively helps align regional and national goals through leadership or implementation.
  • Maintains strong connection and service to Western Region membership.

Community Spirit Award

Purpose: Recognize a member who fosters a positive, inclusive, and connected community.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Provides peer support, mentorship, or informal leadership to fellow members.
  • Known for fostering inclusion, morale, and team culture.
  • Supports others during times of stress, transition, or challenge.
  • May lead informal outreach efforts or represent the “heart” of their school/region.

Innovator Award

Purpose: Reward a member or team who introduced a novel approach, tool, or concept that improved the member experience or instructional delivery.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Implemented an innovation within the last two seasons (digital, educational, operational, etc.).
  • Innovation must be measurable in its impact (efficiency, quality, engagement, etc.).
  • Shares innovation with the broader membership or school teams.
  • Inspires other members to adopt or adapt new approaches.

Team Impact Award

Purpose: Acknowledge a team that delivered meaningful outcomes through collaboration.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Team must consist of 2+ members working in a defined capacity (event, task force, regional initiative, etc.).
  • Demonstrated impact on a key project or objective in the current or previous season.
  • Shows evidence of effective communication, shared leadership, and results.
  • Nomination must outline team members, roles, and outcomes.

Educator of the Year

Purpose: Recognize a clinician, trainer, or coach who exemplifies excellence in developing others.

Nominating Criteria:

  • Actively delivers clinics, trainings, or educational content within the last two seasons.
  • Demonstrates superior communication, feedback, and technical understanding.
  • Receives strong peer, student, and leadership feedback.
  • Invests in the growth and development of instructors at all levels

Nomination Form

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• Ensure all sections are completed.
• Attach the reference letter and any additional supporting documents.
• Submit the completed form and attachments by March 14.

Nominee Information

Name(Required)
Address(Required)

Award Details

Provide a concise summary of why the nominee deserves this award. Limit to 250 words.

Supporting Information

Detail the nominee's significant accomplishments relevant to the award. Include measurable outcomes where possible. Limit to 500 words.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 10.
    List/attach any additional documents provided, such as resumes, portfolios, or publications.

    Reference Letter Attachment

    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 1.
      Attach a reference letter from a colleague, supervisor, or individual familiar with the nominee's work. The letter should highlight the nominee's qualifications and suitability for the award.

      Nominator Information

      Name(Required)
      Address(Required)

      Declaration

      I hereby confirm that the information provided in this nomination form is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
      MM slash DD slash YYYY

      Nomination Decision Process

      If nominations are not received for a particular award, then that award will not be given.

      All nominations that are to be considered will be submitted by March 14 (when the Nomination Window closes). 

      Nominators who experience technical issues can contact the Admin Team within 48 hours of the deadline with error details. 

      At that time the Admin Team will log and allow up to a 24-hour extension.

      The Western Region Team will review all Nomination forms for completeness and  acceptable criteria, including confirming the nominated individual’s (or individuals’) membership status and standing in PSIA-AASI West as well as their status with respect to the Continuing Education Policy of the Western Region. 

      Any nominations that do not fit these criteria will be returned to the Nominator within 2 business days of the decision.

      Returned nominations can be resubmitted up to 48 hours after notification.  

      All acceptable nominations will be sent to the Committee for review.

      The Committee will review all accepted nomination forms.  

      Consideration will be given to the information presented on nomination form provided as it pertains to the award the individual(s) is being nominated for, as well as any supporting documentation including reference letter(s), and any other information that is pertinent to the individual being nominated.

      The Committee will decide if the nominated individual(s) meets the criteria for the award. 

      Co-Awards for the same award category can be given.

      If multiple nominees are equally strong, committee may declare co‑winners—but requires 2/3 majority support and explicit justification. 

      Allowing several winners in the same category risks devaluing each award’s significance.

      If a nomination is deemed ineligible for its intended category, the Committee must document the criteria not met, and decide within 3 days whether to reassign nomination to another category, or reject entirely.

      The Committee will provide the Nominator written feedback within 2 days of decision, outlining reasons and any alternative category consideration.  

      If the nomination does not meet enough of any criteria, the nomination will be returned to the Nominator with the expressed reasons why the nominated individual did not meet the criteria.

      Nominators concerned about rejection can submit a formal appeal explaining why criteria were met within 3 business days after notification.  

      Appeals will be reviewed by a sub-group (2 committee members + 1 Admin Team member) within 5 business days.

      Final decisions are binding and communicated to nominators.