2026 Awards of Excellence Program

CALED invites members and non-members to participate in highlighting their achievements and sharing their success stories. This year, we seek applications and nominations in four award categories: Collaboration in Real Estate & Finance, Programs & Promotions, Innovation in Digital Media, and Local Economic Development Champion. Your participation could allow you to be showcased in your community and region.

You may submit one application per category. Please note that there is a separate application fee for each application submitted, per category. Applications must be submitted electronically by the deadline date and time. Winners will be notified via e-mail.

All award winners will be recognized at the CALED Annual Conference during the Celebrating Success Luncheon in Palm Springs on Thursday, April 16. Award of Merit winners will be recognized from their seats. There will be a professional photo opportunity for all winners following the Celebrating Success Luncheon. Please be sure to have your photo taken with your peers and your award. Photos may be used for press releases and other print materials.

Eligibility

Nomination Requirements and Guidelines for all Categories:

1. All nominations efforts/projects must have been adopted, implemented, or completed in 2025 for submission of nominations.
2. An applying organization may only apply to each award category once per award year.
3. A nominated effort/project may only be entered in one award category per award year.
4. With the exception of Local Economic Development Champion, an award cannot be be given to an individual.
5. The awards application fee is due at the time you submit your awards application.* Please note that you may not pay for an application and submit the application at a later date.
6. You may pay your award application fee securely by using our credit card link via Affinipay.
7. All application fees must be paid by February 18, 2026, 12 p.m. (PST) or the application will be rejected. Please see the Application Fees below for dates and fee changes.

Application fees

Review and selection

The awards selection committee will consist of leaders/experts in economic development. The review process will generally consist of the following:

• Each nomination will be reviewed by at least three individuals from the selection committee.
• The selection committee reserves the right to move an award nomination into a category other than the one under which it was submitted.
• The selection committee may elect to not present an award in any category, regardless of the number of submissions in that category.
• The members of the selection committee will remain anonymous.
• CALED will notify the nominator of the status of their award submission by March 12, 2026.

Deadline and submission

• Entries will be accepted through 12 p.m. (PST), Wednesday, February 18, 2025. Entries received past the deadline will not be accepted.
• Application must be submitted at time of payment. Application rates are contingent on receipt of application.
• All nominations shall be submitted via the online form for each category as shown above.

Optional attachments

• You may attach up to three website links which are relevant to your application.
• You may attach up to three photos (.jpg only, under 2MB) which are relevant to your application.

Tips and things to remember

• Be sure to review the eligibility and criteria requirements for the relevant award category prior to completing the form. Please read through the application thoroughly before you begin and take advantage of the tips for each application.
• Applicants should choose a project or program that has tangible metrics, such as return on investment, expansion of local tax base, diversification of the area’s economy, business and/or community involvement, number of jobs created, quality of life metrics, and other key deliverables. Judges will look for this in your application.
• View more information on quantifiable and qualitative metrics.

View past award winners

• 2020
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025

For questions regarding the Awards of Excellence Program, please contact Ian Gill, IanGill@caled.org.

*Local Economic Development Champion does not require a nomination fee.