Although the long-term influences of the nominee's work are taken into consideration, there should be a particular outstanding and trend-setting achievement that constitutes the principal claim to the award. Successful Tribute Award nominations also include substantive letters of endorsement from prominent individuals that provide clear evidence of the nominee’s lasting impact.

The EKO Tribute Awards Review Committee and EKO’s Board of Directors assesses nominations with consideration to:

• Transferability
• Quality impact
• Transformative value
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Reach

While it is preferable to present EKO Tribute Awards to living recipients, posthumous awards may be given at the discretion of EKO’s Board of Directors.