The employee comms team of the year
You are a standout for the quality of your strategy, efficacy of its architecture, and the overall impact it is able to achieve in support of your organization's goals.
About the Best-in-Class communication awards
Every year, we spotlight the organizations and executives redefining what great communications look like. From transparent staff updates to meaningful community engagement, these leaders aren't just reaching their audiences — they're building lasting trust and driving record engagement. Together, we:
- Celebrate the changemakers setting a new standard.
- Champion the strategies worth sharing far and wide.
- Strengthen a community of bold leaders and communicators.
What's in it for the winners
✨ Recognition. Credibility. Influence. And maybe a little bragging rights…
You can stand out as a thought leader in communications. We'll champion your story in our annual list, showcase your org's expertise in a live event, capture your best practices in an engaging case study, share your wins across social — and equip you with tools to do the same.
See our 2026 winners →The categories for 2027
The most effective all-staff communication
Your organization has the most reliable, recurring org-wide update that has become your employees' north star and source of essential reading.
The unifying force behind stronger company culture
Culture and engagement lead to high morale and even higher performance. Your communications have helped your organization reach new heights.
The leader in member or community engagement
Calling all leaders, teams, and organizations making an impact. We want to hear how you're serving the people who trust you for clarity, action, and insight.
Award FAQs
Deadline to apply: October 16, 2026
Winners announced: February 2027
Who is eligible to apply?+
Any organization that meets these requirements is eligible to apply:
- You are a current Axios HQ customer.
- You will still be an active customer through Q1 2027.
Is there a fee to apply?+
No! All applications for our Best-in-Class communication awards are completely free.
You can submit your organization for as many categories as you think are appropriate. We will just ask you to share meaningful and unique details about each category you choose to apply for so we can best understand why you are a standout in it.
When are applications due?+
Please submit all applications by 11:59pm ET on October 16, 2026.
We will announce the winners February 2027.
If my org has won before, can we apply again?+
Yes! All current Axios HQ customers are eligible to nominate their organization for any of our 2027 Best-in-Class communication awards.
If you have previously won the category you are applying for, consider how your strategies have expanded and evolved since you winning it last. If you are applying to a new category, we're excited to learn more about your communications that bring it to life!
What happens after I submit my application?+
After our nomination period closes, a panel of in-house experts and current and former communication leaders will review all applications.
We will remove any incomplete applications and consider those that remain.
- For some, we may have all the information we need.
- For others, we may reach out to you with follow-up questions while we deliberate.
We will notify award winners via email in the weeks leading up to our public list launch in February 2027.
How does award judging work?+
Winners are selected based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative measures, including things like:
- Relevance to the category
- Clarity of goals and tactics
- Measurable impact on your audience
- How long the strategies have been in place and how realistic it is for the organization to sustain them
Ultimately, winners are selected at the discretion of our judges.
How do you notify the award winners?+
We will notify award winners via email in the weeks leading up to our public list launch in February 2027.
We will share your 2027 website badge, social media images, and supporting information to announce and celebrate your win!
What do I get as a 2027 award winner?+
As a 2027 Best-in-Class communications award winner, you will be:
- Highlighted as an award winner on our website.
- Considered for speaking opportunities in one of Axios HQ's virtual events.
- Elevated as a leading organization for communication in a deep-dive case study.
- Promoted across our social media accounts.
We will also provide you with a badge for your website, social media assets to celebrate your success, and suggestions on how to share the news.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my submission?+
If you have any questions about your 2027 award submission, you can reach our team at hello@axioshq.com.
Join your best-in-class peers
Get inspired by the organizations and teams that won awards in 2026.
See the winners