Excellence Awards

This program is an opportunity to:

• Validate your organization's vision and mission
• Showcase the impact of your organization's work
• Celebrate and recognize staff members at all levels
• Increase credibility and trust with your stakeholders
• Build more influence in the economic development field

Discover other reasons organizations apply by viewing the testimonials found at the bottom of this page.

Please review all information listed below on the program's timeline, entry fees, and overall processes to learn how your organization can participate in this year's program.

IEDC is excited to see and honor your organization's great work!

If selected as an award winner, you will receive:

• Industry recognition at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference
• Brand and community exposure through IEDC's communication channels
• A media kit with digital assets that include a third-party endorsement from IEDC for your organization to use as it sees fit
• Feedback from judges to assist your organization and its efforts now and in the future

If my organization was unsuccessful last year, can it participate again in this year's program?
Yes, you can enter again, provided you pay the entry fee and submit your application through the portal. It is strongly recommended that you update any previous information and digital supporting documentation to align with the current Awards Category requirements to better your odds of winning an award this year.

Can my organization submit multiple projects to be considered for this program?
Yes, you are welcome to submit as many projects as you would like with this program. Please keep in mind each project will incur an entry fee and require a unique application to be submitted through the portal.

Can my organization submit a single project for multiple Awards Categories?
Yes, you may submit a single project for consideration with multiple Awards Categories. Please be aware that you will incur an entry fee for each Awards Category. Also, while it is the same project, you should revise the application information and digital supporting documentation to fit the requirements of each Awards Category.

Can my organization submit an application on behalf of one of its stakeholders?
Yes! However, you must notify the stakeholder prior to submitting the application through the portal.

How long does it take an organization to draft and submit an application?
An organization can expect to spend 1-3 hours total on an application. However, the time will vary based on the Awards Category and an organization's ability to repurpose prior content it already has available for a project.

Can my organization email and/or mail an application to IEDC?
No, any application IEDC receives by email and/or mail will not be included in the program. You must use the submission portal.

What can my organization include as digital supporting documentation for a project?
Digital supporting documentation may include additional project information, charts, graphs, photos, videos, audio, and/or other visuals. In some instances, IEDC has specifically stated what digital supporting documentation is required for the Awards Category.

What should my organization submit for digital supporting documentation if "applicable documentation" is all that is stated for the Awards Category?
You should submit documentation that allows the judges to obtain further insight into your project. Often the judges prefer visual representations, hyperlinks, and/or other resources that allow them to see the project in action.

Why does IEDC charge entry fees for this program?
Entry fees are charged by IEDC to scale the operations and systems of this program, which ensure its continued growth and high standards. If your organization is interested in applying this year, but unable to cover the entry fees in full, please email [email protected] to discuss what options are available to you.