4 annual "of the Year" awards, Speaker/Presentation Awards, and Honorary Awards, each recognizing individual contribution to the betterment of our industry.
Presented to those who've set new standards in their specific area of the moldmaking industry.
1 Award
Speaker / Presentation Awards
Recognize members willing to present research at one of MTD's technical conferences.
Select Group
Honorary Awards
Acknowledge contributions made behind the scenes: value brought to members in ways that don't fit the above.
In every case, MTD is recognizing individual contribution to the betterment of our industry.
Thinking About A Nomination?
Here are some highpoints to consider:
Presented
Annually, at trade shows
Including PT-XPO (Rosemont, IL), NPE, and others.
Open to
Practitioners & apprentices
In the mold making, design, and repair/maintenance fields. Posthumous nominations are welcome, to recognize previous generations.
Looking for
Contribution to the trade, or to society
The art and craft of mold design, making, repair, or apprenticeship outreach, or philanthropic and youth-outreach impact.
Not required
Citizenship, membership, or a degree
These are international awards: nominees needn't be U.S. citizens (invitation letters available on request), SPE/MTD members, or journey-level workers. Degreed engineers and scientists are eligible too.
Apprentice nominations should include:
Federal, state, or provincial registration of the accredited training program
A support letter from the company's apprenticeship coordinator or HR, with contact information
A transcript of the most recent "related theory" coursework
Degree candidates are welcome if actively employed in a trade-related internship
Why not start now? Nominations close January 15 each year.
MTD award ceremony at PT-EXPO 2025. In the photo Award Recipients (Center) are flanked by Award Sponsors and the Division Chair.
Recognizes an outstanding apprentice currently in a registered moldmaking apprenticeship program, nominated by their employer or training coordinator.
Past Winners
2026Sarah Morgan, R & D Leverage Inc. (a contributor in every way: featured in Women Making the Mold, Summer 2026)
2025Nicholas "Nick" Paxon, Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Inc.
2024Adam Conley, Omega Tool, Inc.
The newest of our 4-International Awards was first presented in 2024.
Conference Speaker Awards
Presented as visible recognition of presentation and participation at MTD-affiliated conferences and seminars: RETEC, TOPCON, and ANTEC. Selected by division leadership rather than through public nomination.
Nominate
Pick an award below: the form adjusts to ask for what that nomination needs. Mold Maker, Mold Designer, and Mold Repair/Maintenance Technician nominations all use the same "Mold Practitioner of the Year" fields; Apprentice of the Year has its own. (Conference Speaker and Honorary Awards are selected by division leadership, not publicly nominated, so they're not in this form.)
