Recognition opens doors. When a third party validates your work, potential clients trust you faster. Talented employees want to join your team. And your current staff feels proud of what they've built together.
Atlanta offers one of the richest landscapes of business award opportunities in the country. Between publications, chambers of commerce, industry groups, and national programs, there are more than 150 distinct recognition programs available to Metro Atlanta companies. That's both exciting and overwhelming.
This guide is for B2B companies, growing businesses, and established nonprofits ready to build their reputation through strategic recognition. You'll learn which awards matter most, when to apply, what they cost, and how to create applications that actually win. We'll cut through the noise so you can focus on the opportunities that fit your business.
Why Business Awards Matter for Your Company
The Real Business Value of Recognition
Think about the last time you chose between two vendors who seemed equally qualified. What tipped the scale? Often, it's proof that someone outside the company believes in their work. Awards provide exactly that kind of proof.
Third-party validation builds instant trust with potential clients and partners. When the Atlanta Business Chronicle or Georgia Trend recognizes your company, that endorsement carries weight that your own marketing never could. It's the difference between saying "we're great" and having respected organizations say "they're great."
Awards also serve as differentiators in competitive markets. When you're one of several qualified options, recognition sets you apart. It signals that you've been vetted, evaluated, and found worthy by people who didn't have a financial stake in your success.
Benefits Beyond the Trophy
Recognition pays dividends in ways you might not expect. The credibility boost helps close deals faster because prospects already trust you before the first conversation. Your sales team can reference awards in proposals and pitches as evidence of your capabilities.
For companies focused on hiring, Best Places to Work designations transform recruitment efforts. Job seekers actively search for recognized employers. Your career page becomes more compelling when it features workplace awards.
Most award programs come with media coverage and publication features. Winners get profiled in business journals, appear in special print editions, and receive social media mentions from organizations with large followings. This exposure reaches audiences you might not reach otherwise.
Award ceremonies themselves create networking opportunities. You'll share a room with other high-achievers, many of whom could become partners, clients, or referral sources. And don't underestimate the morale boost for your team. Recognition celebrates their hard work and builds pride in what you've accomplished together.
For more information about promoting award wins as part of your overall marketing:
How to Choose the Right Awards for Your Business
Match Awards to Your Strengths
Not every award makes sense for every company. The best approach is matching recognition programs to what your business does well.
- Rapidly Growing Companies: Focus on growth-focused awards like the Pacesetter Awards or Inc. 5000. These programs verify financial data and rank companies by revenue growth. They're objective measures that resonate with investors and enterprise clients.
- Organizations Heavily Invested in Culture: Workplace awards likely offer the biggest return. Best Places to Work programs survey your employees directly. High scores prove you genuinely invest in your people, which attracts talent and reduces turnover.
- Innovation-Focused Companies: Consider technology awards like TAG's Top 40 Innovative Companies or the various startup competitions. These establish authority in Atlanta's growing tech scene and connect you with investors.
- Community-Minded Businesses: Prioritize Corporate Citizenship awards or BBB Torch Awards for Ethics. These demonstrate that your success benefits others beyond your own company. They're particularly valuable for organizations whose clients care about social responsibility.
- Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses: Seek dedicated recognition programs through Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) and Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC) that connect you with corporations committed to supplier diversity. These awards can open doors to major contracts.
Consider Your Resources
Applying for awards requires time and sometimes money. Before committing, understand what you're signing up for.
- Time Investment: This varies significantly between programs. Some awards require extensive employee surveys that take weeks to complete. Others need financial verification with audited statements. A few ask for detailed narrative applications that take hours to write well. Be honest about whether you have the bandwidth.
- Costs: Expenses range from completely free to several hundred dollars for national programs. Many local awards, including most Atlanta Business Chronicle programs, cost nothing to enter. National competitions like Inc. 5000 charge application fees between $395 and $595. Budget accordingly if you plan to pursue multiple awards.
- Event Attendance: Plan for event attendance too. Many ceremonies expect honorees to attend, and tables at awards galas can run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. While attendance usually isn't mandatory to win, it's often expected and provides valuable networking opportunities.
If applying isn't right for you this year, consider sponsoring an awards program instead. Sponsorship gives you visibility while supporting your business community. It positions your company as a leader without requiring the same level of application effort.
Think About Your Goals
Different awards serve different purposes. Be clear about what you're trying to accomplish.
Building local credibility requires different awards than establishing national recognition. If your clients are primarily in Atlanta, local and regional awards carry more weight. If you're selling to companies nationwide, national programs matter more.
Attracting talent calls for workplace-focused awards. Attracting clients might mean industry-specific recognition or growth awards that signal stability. Celebrating individual leadership is different from celebrating company-wide achievement.
Start by identifying your primary goal. Then work backward to find the awards that best support that goal.
Top Atlanta Business Chronicle Awards
The Atlanta Business Chronicle runs the most prestigious local business recognition programs. These awards reach decision-makers across Metro Atlanta and come with significant media exposure.
Best Places to Work
This employee survey-based program ranks top Atlanta workplaces by size category. It's one of the most powerful recruitment tools available to local companies.
Any company with employees in Metro Atlanta can participate. Categories are divided by company size, so you're competing against similar organizations. The ranking is determined entirely by employee survey scores, which means you can't talk your way to a win. Your culture either supports high engagement or it doesn't.
The process is straightforward:
- You register through the survey partner (Quantum Workplace), upload employee emails, and your staff completes an anonymous survey.
- The survey measures team dynamics, trust in leadership, and personal engagement.
- Registration opens in spring, surveys run mid-year, and winners are celebrated at an awards ceremony in late summer (typically August).
Participation is free, but you will have to create a no-cost membership with the Atlanta Business Chronicle in order to be eligible. This accessibility makes this one of the most valuable programs available. If your culture is strong, there's no financial barrier to recognition.
Here are the important dates to keep in mind:
Pacesetter Awards (Fastest-Growing Companies)
The Pacesetter Awards recognize Atlanta's fastest-growing private companies using verified financial data. This is pure numbers, not narrative persuasion.
To qualify, your company must:
- Be privately held
- Be headquartered in the 20-county Metro Atlanta area
- Have at least 50% two-year revenue growth with revenues between $1 million and $300 million
The ranking uses a weighted growth index that evaluates both revenue and employee headcount growth.
The data verification process is rigorous. You'll submit financial documentation for review, and the Chronicle confirms your numbers before including you in the rankings. This verification is what makes the award credible. Anyone can claim they're growing fast. Pacesetters prove it.
Nominations typically close in April, with awards announced in September. Entry costs are low or nonexistent. For companies that have appeared multiple times, there's a Pacesetter Hall of Fame designation that signals sustained growth over many years.
40 Under 40
The 40 Under 40 program honors 40 rising business leaders under age 40 each year. It's career-defining recognition for young professionals.
Eligibility requires:
- Being under age 40
- Demonstrating both professional leadership and community involvement
The selection committee evaluates nominees on both dimensions. Over-indexing on career velocity while under-representing civic engagement is a common mistake. The committee wants to see that you're shaping the city through board service, nonprofit leadership, or policy work.
The Chronicle receives roughly 380 nominations annually, reviewed by a panel of past winners. Nominations typically open in October and close in mid-January. There's an approximately $149 nomination fee per entry. Winners are announced and celebrated at a May ceremony.
Women of Influence
Formerly called Women Who Mean Business, the Women of Influence program honors 20 to 21 top women business leaders across all industries each year.
Eligibility focuses on women who have achieved significant career milestones and blazed trails in their fields. The program receives about 300 nominations annually, reviewed by an advisory committee of past honorees.
Nominations are free to submit. The nomination window closes in May, and the ceremony takes place in October. Winners receive strong press coverage and join an influential network of past honorees.
Other Notable ABC Awards
- Atlanta's Healthiest Employers: Recognizes companies with robust wellness programs. The deadline typically aligns with Best Places to Work in April.
- Leaders in Corporate Citizenship: Honors companies and executives for outstanding community impact. Nominations open in fall with a ceremony in winter.
- CFO of the Year: Recognizes financial leadership across company sizes and industries.
- Best in Atlanta Real Estate Awards: Honor top commercial developments and deals with a January deadline.
- Health Care Champion Awards: Celebrate leaders and innovators in healthcare.
Chamber of Commerce Awards
Chamber awards require local engagement but offer strong community credibility and networking opportunities. They're particularly valuable for building relationships with other local business leaders.
Cobb Chamber Small Business of the Year Awards
The Cobb Chamber runs one of the most comprehensive small business award programs in the region. Categories include:
- Top 25 Small Businesses
- Small Business of the Year
- Woman-Owned
- Minority-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- Businesses to Watch
- Community Service Excellence
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Cobb Chamber member
- Be in business at least three years
- Meet SBA size standards
The application process includes a unique feature: the top five finalists receive mandatory site visits from judges. This in-person evaluation adds credibility to the final selection.
Applications open in late fall or winter with the awards luncheon in May. Applying is free beyond the required chamber membership. The site visits give judges a real sense of your operations, culture, and impact.
Gwinnett Chamber Business Excellence Awards
The Gwinnett program offers categories including:
- Pinnacle Award (the top-tier recognition)
- Small Business Award
- Woman-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- Launch Award (for new businesses under two years)
- Community Contributor
One significant difference from Cobb: this program is open to both members and non-members. You don't need to join the chamber to apply. Nominations close in August, applications are due in September, and the ceremony takes place in December.
Applying is free. The timeline gives you several months to prepare a strong application.
Local Chamber Awards Offer Community-Level Visibility
Local chamber awards like the Gwinnett Chamber Business Excellence Awards provide valuable community recognition and networking opportunities. Although nominations for 2026 are not yet open, businesses can preview the different award categories in advance.
There are many sponsorship opportunities as well, whether you want to invest $500 or $5,000. This makes the Business Excellence Awards a flexible option for increasing visibility and local influence.
Other Chamber Programs Worth Knowing
The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce serves Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. Their award programs include:
- Small Business of the Year
- BOLD Awards (for women's recognition)
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year
Cherokee County Chamber offers numerous annual awards, including:
- First Citizen of Cherokee County (their most prestigious honor)
- Small Business of the Year
- Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals
All recipients are chosen by out-of-town judges to ensure objectivity.
For more on the networking value of chamber involvement:
Technology and Innovation Awards
Atlanta's emergence as a tech hub has created a robust awards ecosystem for innovative companies. The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) operates the most prominent programs.
TAG Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies
This is the premier showcase for Georgia tech companies. Winners present at the Georgia Technology Summit, which draws more than 1,000 attendees including investors and potential partners.
Any Georgia-based company focused on technology creation, development, or use can apply. The selection criteria evaluate your:
- Degree of innovation
- Technical capabilities
- Market need addressed
- Financial impact
- Benefits to Georgia's tech economy
Applications typically close in November or December for the summit held in March or April. Applying is free. Winners receive an exhibition booth at the summit. The top 10 finalists present on the main stage, which provides significant exposure to investors and enterprise clients.
Applying for TAG’s Top 40 as a Georgia Tech Innovator
The application deadline for TAG's 2026 Top 40 awards program is Monday, February 23, 2026. To enter, complete and submit the application form. You will provide contact details and information about your company’s innovation, revenue, and impact.
For tech-driven organizations, this award is a powerful way to gain statewide recognition while validating innovation claims with third-party credibility.
TAG Technology Awards
The TAG Technology Awards honor individual leaders and specific projects across several categories.
- Corporate Tech Leader of the Year recognizes CIOs and CISOs.
- Emerging Leader celebrates rising stars.
- Public Servant Tech Leader honors technology leaders in government, education, and nonprofits.
- Tech for Good recognizes projects with positive social impact.
- The Innovation Driven Company award is divided into four revenue tiers from startup (under $1 million) to enterprise ($50 million and above). This tiering ensures fair competition regardless of company size.
Nominations close in January. The awards gala takes place at the Fox Theatre in November. Winning establishes your authority in Atlanta's growing tech scene.
Venture Atlanta Recognition
Venture Atlanta is the region's premier tech conference, organized jointly by the Atlanta CEO Council, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and TAG.
The Startup Showcase Live Competition targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies. The prize is significant: $375,000 in investment. The program has launched 843 companies, with alumni raising $7.7 billion in funding and achieving $17 billion in successful exits.
The conference takes place each October at the Woodruff Arts Center and Atlanta Symphony Hall. More than 1,500 attendees participate, including representatives from over 450 investment funds.
Atlanta Startup Awards
The Atlanta Startup Awards program celebrates the startup ecosystem through nine categories:
- Best B2B Startup
- Best B2C Startup
- Best Startup for Good
- Best New Startup
- Best Underrepresented-Founded Startup
- Best On-Campus Startup (New)
- Investor of the Year
- Startup Mentor of the Year
- Community Builder of the Year
Nominations close in July with the event in early October. Participation is free. Past Lifetime Achievement recipients include David Cummings (founder of Atlanta Tech Village) and Ben Chestnut (founder of Mailchimp).
Awards for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
Atlanta has strong programs dedicated to recognizing diverse business owners. These awards connect you with corporations committed to supplier diversity and can open doors to major contracts.
GMSDC Spirit of Alliance Awards
The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) hosts what many call "the Oscars of supplier diversity." The Spirit of Alliance Awards are the premier recognition for minority business enterprises in Georgia.
Key awards include:
- Supplier of the Year (tiered by revenue class from under $1 million to over $40 million)
- President’s Award
- Eagle Award
- Advocate of the Year
- Trailblazer Award
- Impact Award
- Rising Star Award
- Legacy Award
- Blue Legend Award
To be eligible, you must be a GMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). For Supplier of the Year, you cannot self-nominate. A corporate member-partner must put your name forward.
Nominations close in mid-August with the gala in September. Winners can advance to compete for national NMSDC recognition, extending their visibility beyond Georgia.
Unlocking Award Opportunities Through Supplier Diversity Certification
Certification through GMSDC opens doors to supplier diversity award programs across the region. In celebration of the organization’s 50th year, the council took a special approach to the Spirit of Alliance Awards for 2025 with the Golden Anniversary edition. This milestone edition honored not only excellence, but also the leadership, partnerships, and innovation that have advanced opportunities for small businesses across Georgia.
Atlanta Business League Recognition
The Atlanta Business League, founded in 1933, is a historic organization championing Black business ownership. Their programs include Men of Influence, Women of Vision, and the CEO Awards Luncheon.
Specific awards include:
- Herman J. Russell CEO of the Year (the most prestigious individual honor)
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Thomas W. Dortch Jr. League Leadership Award
- Trailblazer Award
The CEO Awards Luncheon takes place in May. The Men of Influence ceremony happens in August. The Women of Vision program runs throughout the year. These programs honor accomplished Black professionals who have reached senior levels or achieved historic accomplishments.
Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Georgia Hispanic Chamber hosts an Annual Awards Gala that has run for more than 35 years. Their 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia is published each September during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Annual Gala draws over 700 attendees, making it one of the largest business award events in the region. The chamber has approximately 1,300 members, providing a strong network for Hispanic business owners.
Statewide and National Awards Worth Pursuing
Beyond Atlanta-focused programs, several statewide and national awards provide broader recognition.
Georgia Trend 40 Under 40
This statewide honor, now in its 29th year, reaches decision-makers across Georgia. Unlike the Atlanta Business Chronicle's program, Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 covers the entire state.
You must be under 40 as of October of the publication year. Nominations open in March and close in late April. The magazine's editors select winners from hundreds of nominations. The list is published in the October issue with a ceremony at the Atlanta History Center.
This award helps you build visibility beyond Metro Atlanta, reaching business leaders in Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and other Georgia cities.
Georgia Small Business ROCK STARS
This state program is a partnership between Georgia Trend, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Georgia Economic Developers Association. Small Business ROCK STARS recognizes outstanding small businesses in four categories:
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Service
- Retail
Eligibility requirements include:
- Being a Georgia corporation or LLC
- Being in business for at least three years
- Not being a franchise
- Having 2 to 100 employees
- Generating under $30 million in revenue
There's one additional requirement: you must have received assistance from a local or state economic development team (such as SBDC help or economic development support).
Nominations are accepted from May through October with five winners announced during Georgia Small Business Week in the first week of May. Nominating is free.
Inc. 5000 and Inc. Regionals (Southeast)
The Inc. 5000 is the national standard for recognizing fast-growing private companies. Making this list establishes credibility with investors and enterprise clients nationwide.
To qualify, your company must:
- Be privately held, U.S.-based, and independent
- Have made at least $100,000 in revenue during the base year
- Have made at least $2 million or more in the current year
Ranking is based entirely on percentage revenue growth over three years.
Application fees run between $395 and $595 depending on when you submit. The early deadline falls in November and the regular deadline in December. The list is announced in August. Many Atlanta companies make this list annually, so the competition is real but achievable.
The Inc. Regionals (Southeast) list offers a higher probability of recognition for Atlanta firms than the national list while still providing national visibility.
How National Growth Awards Build Investor and Enterprise Trust
Earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list signals credible growth to investors and enterprise clients. Award-winning technology recruiting firm Tier4 Group marked its seventh consecutive appearance with a dedicated press release, citing the award as proof of its “sustained momentum, resilience, and the trust our clients and consultants place in us year after year.”
For fast-growing companies, national awards can amplify local success stories and open doors to larger-scale opportunities.
EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southeast)
This is one of the most prestigious founder awards globally. The Southeast region covers Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
To be eligible for EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southeast), you must:
- Be CEO or President of a for-profit company
- Have been in your role for at least two years
- Have been in business as a company for at least two years
Applications open in December with the deadline in late February. Finalist interviews happen in April and May. The regional celebration takes place in June. Regional winners then compete in the national competition in November.
The intensive process requires significant time investment, but the payoff is substantial. Winners gain access to an elite alumni network, and the award often precedes major exits or IPOs.
SBA National Small Business Week Awards
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers several National Small Business Week Awards through the Georgia District. Small Business Person of the Year can advance to national competition.
Other categories include:
- Exporter of the Year
- Veteran-Owned
- Minority-Owned
- Family-Owned
- Young Entrepreneur (under 30)
- Rural Small Business
One important eligibility requirement: you must have received SBA assistance at some point. This could be a loan, SCORE counseling, SBDC help, or other SBA programs. If you've never worked with the SBA, you won't qualify.
Georgia District nominations are due in late December. Winners are honored during National Small Business Week in May. Participation is free, and government recognition carries significant weight with certain audiences.
BBB Torch Awards for Ethics
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recognizes companies committed to ethical practices through the Torch Awards. To be eligible, you must have been in business at least three years within the BBB service area, which covers 47 counties in Metro Atlanta.
The evaluation framework focuses on four areas:
- Character: Leadership ethics
- Culture: How ethics are integrated into operations
- Customers: Trust and relationships
- Community: Giving back
This award provides a powerful trust signal for both B2B and B2C companies. It demonstrates that your success comes from doing business the right way.
For more on building visibility through industry events:
Industry-Specific Awards Worth Knowing
Most industries have their own recognition programs. Here are highlights across major sectors:
Manufacturing
The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) hosts the People of Manufacturing Awards with categories including:
- Plant Manager of the Year
- Front-Line Leadership
- Team Safety
- Team Operational Excellence
Nominations close in August with awards at the Georgia Manufacturing Summit. There's no cost to enter.
Healthcare
The Atlanta Business Chronicle's Healthcare Champion Awards include:
- Physician of the Year
- Health Care Innovator
- Nursing Excellence
- Rising Star
The Georgia Hospital Association offers:
- W. Daniel Barker Leadership Award
- Distinguished Service
- Community Leadership
- Hospital Hero
- Patient Safety and Quality Awards
Atlanta Magazine's Top Doctors is an annual list of more than 1,300 top doctors based on a survey of Atlanta area physicians conducted by Professional Research Services. This issue is peer-reviewed and physicians cannot pay to be listed.
Real Estate and Construction
NAIOP Georgia Awards of Excellence offers nine awards, including Office Development of the Year, Industrial Development of the Year, Mixed-Use Development of the Year, and Associate Firm of the Year, among others. The deadline is early November and membership in NAIOP is required.
ULI Atlanta Awards for Excellence recognizes outstanding people through its Industry Impact Award and Community Impact Award. The deadline is late April, and the program is open to both members and non-members.
AGC Build Georgia Awards represent the highest honor for construction projects in the state. The deadline is late January. Fees from $900 to $2,700 depending on partnership structure.
Legal
Best Lawyers in America is a peer-review process with nominations closing in December. Best Lawyers reviews lawyers across 10 different metro areas and 10 different practice areas, from Commercial Litigation to Family Law.
The Daily Report’s Southeastern Legal Awards include Attorney of the Year, Law Firm of the Year, and Most Promising Newcomer. Winners are typically announced in March, with an annual dinner in Atlanta in the spring.
Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite is peer-nominated with nominations accepted from April through July. Lawyers from 15 different practice areas are included, including bankruptcy rights, criminal, family, intellectual property, and more.
Marketing and Creative
The American Marketing Association (AMA) AMY Awards in Atlanta celebrate marketing excellence with a February deadline and March event. Entry fees range from $125 to $200 depending on membership status.
The American Advertising Awards (AAA) attracts over 40,000 entries every year in the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) competitions. This competition rewards the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. Submissions are accepted from October through January, with the gala at the Fox Theatre in February. Local winners advance to district and national competition.
Tips for Writing Winning Award Applications
Strong applications share common characteristics. Here's how to create one:
Lead with Your Strongest Numbers
Judges read hundreds of applications. Grab their attention in your first sentence with something concrete and impressive.
Use specific metrics like:
- Revenue growth percentages
- Customers served
- Jobs created
- Employee retention rates
"We grew 87% in two years" is more compelling than "we experienced significant growth." Back every claim with real data.
Applications with vague language rarely advance. If you can't quantify an achievement, reconsider whether it belongs in your application.
Tell a Story, Not Just a List
Frame your company's journey with a clear narrative arc. Identify a specific challenge you faced, explain the action you took, and show the result. Judges remember stories more than statistics.
Humanize your application by explaining why your work matters.
- What problem are you solving?
- Who benefits?
- What drives your team to show up every day?
The differentiator is often not what you accomplished but why and how you accomplished it.
Review Past Winners to Strengthen Your Application
Studying past winners helps clarify what judges value most in award submissions. For example, looking at recent AMY Awards winners reveals the companies, strategies, and campaigns that demonstrated true marketing excellence in 2025. You can research these companies and campaigns to learn how to better position your own stories, metrics, and outcomes to improve your chances of standing out in a competitive field.
Match Your Application to the Criteria
Read the judging criteria carefully before you start writing. Research past winners to understand what evaluators value. Most programs publish winner profiles that reveal what made those applications successful.
Tailor each submission to the specific award. Generic applications that could fit any program rarely win. If the criteria emphasize community impact, lead with community impact. If they emphasize innovation, lead with innovation.
Don't Forget Community Impact
For leadership awards especially, community involvement is often the differentiator. Everyone has business success. The question is whether your success benefits others beyond your company.
Go beyond listing board memberships. Explain specific initiatives you led and their outcomes.
- How many people did you help?
- What changed because of your involvement?
Concrete examples of impact matter more than impressive titles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are four common mistakes nominees make:
- Ignoring Guidelines: This is surprisingly common. If the application asks for 500 words, don't submit 2,000. If they ask for specific documents, provide them. Following instructions signals attention to detail.
- Making Claims Without Evidence: Baseless claims undermine your credibility. Every achievement should have supporting data or a specific example.
- Rushing Last Minute: Unfortunately, rushing at the last minute shows. Start early, get feedback from colleagues, and revise. The applications that win are rarely first drafts.
- Applying for Awards That Don't Match Your Actual Strengths: This wastes time. Be honest about where your company excels and focus your efforts there.
Your 2026 Awards Calendar at a Glance
Planning ahead is essential. Here are the major deadlines organized by quarter.
Q1 (January through March)
January brings several important deadlines. ABC 40 Under 40 nominations typically close mid-month. SBA Georgia District awards are due in late December for recognition in May. The Inc. Regionals deadline falls in December. Best Lawyers nominations close in December as well.
February is the deadline for EY Entrepreneur of the Year applications and AMA AMY Awards entries. The AAF ADDY Awards gala takes place at the Fox Theatre.
March marks the Inc. 5000 preferred deadline (at a lower application fee). Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 nominations open. TAG announces its Top 40 Innovative Companies at the Georgia Technology Summit.
Q2 (April through June)
April deadlines include Best Places to Work registration, ULI Awards submissions, and Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 nominations close. Pacesetter Awards announcements typically happen in September.
May brings the Cobb Chamber Small Business Awards luncheon, SBA National Small Business Week celebrations, ABL CEO Awards Luncheon, and Georgia Small Business ROCK STARS announcements.
June hosts the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Southeast celebration.
Q3 (July through September)
Georgia Trend Legal Elite nominations open and run through the summer.
August brings the Best Places to Work ceremony and Inc. 5000 list announcement. GMSDC Spirit of Alliance nominations close. ABL Men of Influence ceremony takes place. GMA People of Manufacturing nominations close.
September hosts the GMSDC Spirit of Alliance gala. Gwinnett Chamber applications are due. ULI Atlanta Awards dinner celebrates winners.
Q4 (October through December)
October sees Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 published. Venture Atlanta conference takes place. Atlanta Startup Awards ceremony occurs. NAIOP deadline falls mid-month.
November brings the TAG Technology Awards gala at the Fox Theatre, ABC Women of Influence ceremony, and Inc. Regionals early deadline. EY national competition takes place.
December deadlines include SBA Georgia District awards, Gwinnett Chamber awards ceremony, AGC Build Georgia submissions, and Best Lawyers nominations.
How to Leverage Your Win
Winning an award is just the beginning. The real value comes from how you promote and build on the recognition.
Promote Immediately
Issue a press release announcing your recognition within days of the announcement. Share on social media and tag the awarding organization. They often reshare winner posts, extending your reach to their followers.
Update your website homepage and email signature with award logos. Most programs provide official badges or logos for winners to use. Display them prominently.
Amplifying Award Wins Through Social Media
Announcing award wins on social media extends your reach and builds credibility beyond your website. When the Atlanta Business Chronicle named Invisors one of the Best Places to Work in Atlanta for the fifth year in a row, the company proudly shared the honor on LinkedIn.
Strategic social promotion turns awards into shareable proof points, helping Atlanta organizations maximize the ROI of every recognition they earn.
Build It Into Your Marketing
Add award logos to proposals, pitch decks, and sales materials. When you're one of several qualified options in a competitive bid, recognition sets you apart.
Feature awards prominently in recruitment materials and job postings. Candidates research potential employers, and recognition influences their decisions. Create a brief explanation of what the award represents and why you won.
Use Wins to Build Momentum
Winning one award strengthens future applications. Mention past recognition when applying for new awards. This signals that you've been vetted before and found worthy.
Reference local awards when applying for bigger regional or national programs. Success at one level establishes credibility for the next. Consider entering broader competitions like the Stevie Awards or Fast Company's World’s Most Innovative Companies once you have a track record.
For more on incorporating award wins into your overall digital presence:
Moving Forward with Your Awards Strategy
Atlanta offers incredible recognition opportunities. From local chamber awards to national prestige programs, there's something for every company ready to invest the time.
Start with three to five awards that genuinely match your company's strengths. Don't spread yourself thin trying to apply for everything; focus on the programs where you have a real chance of winning.
Remember that the application process itself is valuable. Even if you don't win, you'll learn about your organization. You'll gather data, articulate your story, and identify areas for improvement. Many companies apply multiple years before winning, using feedback from each cycle to strengthen their next submission.
Create your awards calendar now and start gathering the information you'll need, like:
- Financial data for growth awards
- Employee contact lists for workplace surveys
- Community impact stories for leadership recognition
Being prepared when deadlines arrive makes all the difference.
Recognition builds credibility, attracts talent, and opens doors. The companies that consistently appear across multiple award programs didn't get there by accident. They made recognition a strategic priority. You can do the same.
