Awards Your Team Should Apply For in 2024

Economic Development Awards
Amanda Ellis Economic Development, Talent Attraction January 4, 2024

This list of economic development awards and other accolades for chamber and talent attraction folks sets you on the path to getting the recognition you deserve all year long.

Note that some of these require membership with the associated organization – be sure to review the full criteria carefully. 

 

The Mary Means Leadership Award
Main Street America

This award recognizes notable leaders who work with a local Main Street program or Coordinating Program (as an employee or volunteer).

Nominations close Jan. 22. 

Awards for Communications Excellence
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 

These honor outstanding chamber marketing and communications work selected by peer judges.

Competition typically opens in January.  

American Planning Association’s Annual Economic Development Awards

These awards recognize projects or programs that exemplify economic development best practices or those that creatively address unique economic development needs. 

Submissions typically open in January. 

All-America City Award
National Civic League

This award celebrates the best of American civic innovation, with a different theme each year. The theme for 2024? “Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation.”

Applications due by Feb. 13, 2024.

Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers 

Consultant Connect recognizes 50 outstanding economic developers each year.

Nomination process usually begins early in the year.

Chamber of the Year
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 

This coveted award recognizes chambers of varying sizes for excellent operations, member service and community leadership. Application process is extensive so don’t delay if you hope to be considered this year.

Applications open through May 10.  

IEDC Excellence Awards
International Economic Development Council

Probably the most well-known economic development awards on our list, IEDC’s Excellence Awards recognize numerous EDOs each year, spread across six categories:

  • Promotional Awards
  • Internet & New Media Awards
  • Program Awards
  • Partnership Awards
  • EDO of the Year Awards
  • Federal Resources Awards

Applications are typically open through late spring/early summer; information not yet available. IEDC also awards a variety of Honorary and Leadership awards. 

Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Award
National Association of Development Organizations 

This award for NADO members honors advancements in community and economic development with a focus on recognizing excellence in regional work.

Applications typically open in summer. NADO also runs a photo contest — more info available in September. 

The Great American Main Street Award
Main Street America

This award is designed to recognize Main Street programs that spur community transformation and prioritize historic preservation and innovative programming.

Application process opens during summer 2024 (to be recognized in 2025). 

City Nation Place Awards
City Nation Place

These awards focus specifically on place branding and are open to groups from all over the world. 

Categories include:

  • Best Citizen Engagement
  • Best Communication Strategy 
    • Tourism
    • Economic Development
    • Place Brand
  • Best Use of Data
  • Best Use of Design
  • Best Placemaking Initiative
  • Place Brand of the Year 

Applications are typically due in the fall. 

ACCE 40 Under 40
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 

This program recognizes emerging leaders in the chamber industry.

Nominations typically open during the fall. 

Economic Development 40 Under 40
Development Counsellors International 

This program recognizes emerging economic development leaders.
Nominations will open late this year.

Deal of the Year Awards
Business Facilities

Enter your biggest job creation successes for this award. To qualify for the next recognition in early 2025, the relevant company must have announced its decision to relocate, expand or stay put no earlier than fall 2023.

Applications are typically due in November or December.

And don’t forget about your relevant associations!:

Your State Association 

Are you involved with your state economic development association? Often these groups will conduct their own economic development awards programs, a prime opportunity for your organization to grab the spotlight. For example:

Your Regional Association

What about your regional association? Many of these groups offer recognition among your neighboring states:

. . .

Looking for some inspiration from what your industry peers are up to? Check out these links:

 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.