An effective multi-award budget starts with a prioritised shortlist, not a wish list. Identify the programmes that move the needle for your agency - those that attract the clients you want, carry weight in the categories you compete in, and have a realistic judging panel for your work.
Once you have a priority shortlist, model the full cost using the Awardy budget planner: add each programme, set your submission count per award, and compare early and final entry fees across the whole slate. The total can surprise even experienced awards managers.
Budget discipline also means saying no. If a programme appears on your shortlist but costs more per submission than its potential return (in new business, retention, or talent attraction), it is worth reconsidering. The planner helps make that trade-off visible before you commit.