2026 CALED Awards of Excellence Category: Innovation in Digital Media

Applications are now closed for CALED’s 2026 Awards of Excellence

This new category honors outstanding achievements in leveraging technology to advance economic development goals in 2025 – whether it is a program, a real estate project, a promotion, or the profession itself. It recognizes individuals, organizations, or teams that demonstrate exceptional creativity in areas including content creation, utilizing new software tools, unique applications of AI, or social media innovation. This is different than the Program and Promotions category because applicants must specifically show the use of social media or a new technology to achieve successful delivery of and engagement with their message.

There are two ways we will engrave your plaque award if you are a winner (see below). Please note that the award will only be engraved with the name of a company or organization and not participating individuals. If chosen, there is only one physical award provided, with additional ones available for purchase. If you have any questions, please email iangill@caled.org before February 18, 2026.

2026
Economic Development Innovation in Digital Media
Award of Excellence
NAME OF PROGRAM/PROMOTION
NAME OF COMPANY(IES)/ORGANIZATION(S) TO BE ENGRAVED
April 16, 2026

2026
Economic Development Innovation in Digital Media
Award of Merit
NAME OF PROGRAM/PROMOTION
NAME OF COMPANY(IES)/ORGANIZATION(S) TO BE ENGRAVED
April 16, 2026