Each year WAS members are solicited for nominations of candidates for each of its two potential awards. The nominees do not have to be members of WAS or reside in the region covered by WAS. Nominations are submitted before June to the Executive Committee for review and decisions.
An annual award, known as the "OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO BEEKEEPING AWARD," shall be presented at the annual banquet to a person, normally from the West, who has made outstanding contributions to beekeeping. These contributions may be in such areas as research, teaching, public relations, publishing, service to WAS or other beekeeper organizations, or any other creative activity that contributes to the art and science of beekeeping and the enjoyment of beekeeping as a hobby. Nominations for this award are made according to the provisions set forth in Article X, Section 5.
A second award, known as the "THURBER AWARD FOR INVENTIVENESS," may be presented at the annual banquet to a person, normally from the local area, who has demonstrated abnormal creativity in inventing beekeeping devices or practices. Nominations for this award are made according to the provisions set forth in Article X, Section 5.