2025 NACIO Awards of Excellence—Nominations Period Now Open!
May 2, 2025
NACIO's Awards of Excellence #TellingCountyStories
With our annual awards program, we honor the innovative, creative, and outstanding work of county government communicators and state county associations' communications departments throughout the nation. The categories have been revamped to better reflect the work of modern county communicators and PIOs. Show off your county's work by submitting a nomination today!
Submit Your Nomination Here: 2025 NACIO Awards of Excellence Awards Nomination Site
What You Need to Know About This Year’s Awards Program
Nomination Period: Friday, May 2 – Saturday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Entry Fees: $50 per entry for NACIO members; $70 per entry for non-NACIO members. Work must be produced by county staff.
*Payment can be made online through NACo. You do not have to be a member of NACo or NACIO to enter this contest. You will, however, need to use the link above to make your entry payment(s).
When will winners be recognized?
Winners will be recognized at the annual NACIO meeting in conjunction with the NACO conference in July in Philadelphia. Further information is forthcoming.
What can you enter? Work produced by counties and state county associations within the last year (January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024).
Updated Categories Better Reflect Your Amazing Work!
We’ve updated the award categories to better reflect the work of modern county communicators and PIOs. This year’s categories include:
Printed Publications
- Short one-page/tri-fold
- Multi-page education booklet
- Annual report
- Newsletter
Electronic Communications
- Website
- Email newsletter
Writing
- Short article (less than 250 words)
- Featured article/editorial (500-700 words)
Social Media
- Social media campaign (use of multiple social media platforms)
Graphic Design
- Logo
- Special Graphics (t-shirts, posters, banners, ads)
- Banners/buttons
Audiovisual
- Short video (under 60 sec)
- Medium-length video (1-5 min)
- Long video (more than 5 min)
- Video series
- Podcast series
- Podcast episode
- Photo /photo series
Campaigns (All-encompassing using multiple communication tools such as social media, print, electronic, graphics, websites, etc.)
- Public Safety
- Utilities
- PR Campaigns
- Community engagement
- Crisis (Response)
- Quality of Life (e.g., parks, libraries, environment, etc.)
- Budget
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For tips on the entry process please view the following video: https://vimeo.com/1056352405/0deef9e55d Please send your questions about the awards program to: nacio1966@gmail.com. We look forward to recognizing all the wonderful work you do as Government Communicators. |
2024 Awards of Excellence Winners
The 2024 Awards of Excellence winners were announced during the NACo Annual Conference in Hillsborough County (Tampa, FL). The Best of Show winner (overall winner), Broward County Florida's Aviation Department's Holiday Travel Advisories Public Outreach Communications Campaign, was presented by NACIO First Vice President Schuyler Harding during the annual NACIO Board Meeting. View the full list of this year's winners.
The 2024 program was very competitive, boasting 202 submissions. NACIO would like to thank all who took time to submit their program(s) for consideration. Your service to and work on behalf of America ’s counties is invaluable.