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Azbee Awards Entrant FAQs


If you are an judge with questions, please see our Judge FAQs instead. If you have a question about entering the Azbee Awards, please check these FAQs to see if your question is listed. You can use the Find command (Windows: Ctrl+F / Mac: Command⌘+F) to search for keywords in your question. If your question is not answered below, please reach out to the Awards Committee through our contact form.

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Eligibility

Q. Who is eligible to enter?
Please view our eligibility requirements.

Q. Who is eligible for ASBPE membership?
A. ASBPE is a professional society for editors, writers, designers, freelancers and other professionals who work on business, trade and association publications, newsletters, websites and social media platforms, along with students and journalism educators with interest in B2B media. Individuals can apply for membership. In order to receive the $25 per entry member discount or the $20 per entry freelancer discount on Azbee Awards submissions, each entrant must be an ASBPE member and use their ASBPE.org username and password to log in to the awards system. 

Q. I am a freelance writer/editor. How do I receive the freelancer discount?
A. ASBPE now offers an additional $20 per entry freelancer discount to our freelance members. You must have an active Freelance Editorial or Freelance Design/Multimedia membership and be current on dues payments in order to be eligible. Eligible members will see the freelancer discount automatically applied when they go to their cart.


Payment

Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card and American Express. All entries must be paid for online at the time of submission.

Q. I have created an online account, but I have not found an online payment form. Where is it?
A. You will see links to go to the cart or submit another entry after adding each entry to your cart. You can pay for all of your entries at once.

Q. When will my credit card be charged? Will I receive a receipt?
A. When you submit the checkout form, your credit card will be charged immediately. An invoice formatted as a PDF file will be available to download and print. You will also receive an email with a link to download your invoice. Please make sure we are added to your organization's safe sender email list.


Award Notifications

Q. How will I know if I won?
A. Finalists will be notified individually via email to the entrant once the judging is completed. Regional finalists will be announced on or around March 10, and national finalists will be announced after the last regional awards presentation.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners will be announced at the ASBPE regional and national awards presentations. Regional awards events are held in April each year. The national event is held in conjunction with the ASBPE National Conference. Please visit the Events page to find dates for awards events once they become available.

Finalist and winner lists will also be posted on ASBPE.org.

Q. Do you have digital award badges that can be used in our publication mastheads and other promotional materials?
A. Yes. After awards are announced, we email winning entrants a link to access our digital award badges. We recommend that entrants forward this email to their design and/or marketing departments.


Judging

Q. I won a regional award. Does that mean I am moving on to the national competition?
A. All entries for a given category are automatically entered into the regional and national competitions for that category. The top scoring entries in each region will receive the regional awards. The top scoring entries overall will receive the National Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

Q. What categories are eligible only for national awards?
A. The Magazine of the Year, Digital Magazine of the Year, Website of the Year, Project of the Year, Social Media Account of the Year and Email Newsletter of the Year categories honor only national winners. The Best Body of Work category honors three individuals on the national level only - one staff journalist, one freelance journalist, and one designer. All other categories receive both national- and regional-level awards. At the discretion of the judges and the awards committee, sometimes a few other categories might only have national winners.

Q. How are the entries judged?
A. Each category is reviewed by at least two judges depending on the number of entries in a given category and the prestige of the category. For example, for Magazine of the Year, we've had as many as 20 judges. Our judges are business publication editors, writers, designers, consultants and academics who are on the front lines doing hands-on business publication editorial and design work — truly your peers.

All judges have approximately one month to evaluate the entries. Each category is judged on two to seven major criteria; each of these has important "sub-criteria." Their scores are averaged to yield a final score for each entry. The judges' decisions are final.

Interested in judging? Read more about the judging process.

Q. How does the Azbee Awards committee ensure unbiased judging, when the trade editorial community is so close-knit?
A. Although it's always possible that any contest might have unintended bias or may have judges who know entrants, our conflict-of-interest rules reduce the likelihood of bias influencing the contest. Azbee judges have a great track record of disclosing their own conflicts of interest and recusing themselves. We do not allow judges to work on a category they, their publications, or their parent companies have entered.

Q. Do the judges change each year?
A. Generally, about half the judges change each year. We try to balance continuity with fresh perspectives, but in all cases the judges are thoroughly qualified. We are always looking for new, experienced B2B professionals. If you are interested in judging, please submit the judge sign-up form.

Q: Why did my entry receive a Silver or Bronze award, but no Gold award was given in that category? 
A: Every winning entry receives an award based on scores assigned by our judges after a holistic review. ASBPE judges carefully evaluate all entries in a given category using strict, highly competitive criteria for each category. As part of this process, some categories may not see Gold, Silver and Bronze winners every year.
 

Submission & Category Questions

Q: What if my entry was submitted into the wrong category? 
A: Please reach out to the Awards Committee through our contact form. We will review, make the final determination and move the entry to a new category if warranted. 

Q. For Best Body of Work, can I include work products from multiple publications in one entry? What if I'm a staff journalist who also does freelance work on the side? Can I include pieces from my staff job and freelance work in the same submission for Best Body of Work?
A. Designers, staff journalists and freelance journalists may include work products from multiple publications in the same entry. We allow this because freelancers usually work with multiple publications, and many publishing companies now have staff journalists who work across several publications for the parent company.

However, staff journalists and designers who also freelance must separate their staff and freelance work to be fair to other entrants in their category. You may submit two entries, one to "By a Staff Journalist" and one to "By a Freelance Journalist." Likewise designers submitting both staff and freelance work should submit separate entries.

Q. Are we allowed to submit entries that utilize AI-generated images or AI-generated copy?
A. For Design categories: ASBPE allows submissions using AI-generated imagery, but the portions that were created using AI must be declared in the entry essay, and the submission cannot be created entirely through the use of generative AI tools. We require human skill to be applied beyond the use of genAI tools. The Best Original Photo, Best Original Illustration and Best Original Photo Illustration categories do not allow the use of generative AI by the nature of the category, and any submissions to these categories using generative AI will be disqualified.

For Editorial categories: ASBPE understands that generative AI tools are used to help develop story ideas, generate interview questions, generate summaries, and for other uses that save time for writers and editors. However, ASBPE believes that AI should be used only as a time-saving tool, and should never replace journalistic scrutiny and oversight by human writers and editors. By submitting editorial content to the Azbee Awards, the entrant certifies that all information has been verified, is largely written by a human, and has been subject to human editing.

Q. We are entering a category in the Design division, and our design uses a stock image. Is that allowed in the Azbee Awards contest?
A. ASBPE recognizes that stock imagery is commonplace within the publishing industry. As such, we do allow submissions to most Design categories to use stock imagery. However, the entrant must declare that the work used a stock image in the entry essay to make the judges aware. Entrants must also ensure, per our eligibility requirements, that they have purchased the stock image and are not violating intellectual property rights in its use. The Best Original Photo and Best Original Illustration categories do not allow the use of stock images by nature of the category, and any submissions to these categories using stock images will be disqualified. The Best Original Photo Illustration category allows stock images only as a base image to which alterations and manipulations have been applied; any submission to this category using stock images without further alteration will be disqualified.

Q. We have a print feature we would like to enter, written for the magazine, but later running on our website. Can we enter that?
A. Yes, you may enter the print article in the appropriate category in the Print division, provided it was published in print first. But you may not enter it in a category in the Online division. It may be entered in the Design division or All Content division, however.

Q. We have an end-of-year issue that has a cover date of 2024/2025. Can this issue be entered in the 2025 Azbee Awards program?
A. Our rules require that the issue date (cover date) be within the entry year, not the mail date, printing date or publishing date. In the specific case where the issue date spans two different years, you may enter it only if it was mailed in 2024. If it was mailed in 2025, please enter it in the following contest year (to open November 2025). It is not appropriate to enter the same materials twice, in two different years.

Q. The issue date rule seems clear; however, we have a quarterly magazine that bears an issue date of Winter 2025, but was published (mailed) in late December 2024. I want to make sure that the content for this issue would only be eligible in next year’s competition. Please clarify.
A. If the issue date on the cover says January 2025 or Winter 2025, you cannot enter it into the 2025 Azbees, since the eligible issue dates must be between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. Please enter it next year.

Q. Our publication was redesigned for 2024, and the first issue of the redesign has a January 2024 date. The issue immediately preceding the redesign is a 2023 issue; does that make us ineligible to enter this category?
A. This is the one exception to our eligible dates. For the Publication Redesign category only: If the first issue of your redesigned publication is the January 2024 issue, a publication date from late 2023 is acceptable for the issue immediately preceding the redesign. We will not however accept 2023 or 2025 publication dates for the first issue of the redesign.

Q. If a person is no longer with a company but wrote an article worthy of submitting for an award, may that person still enter the article or section in the contest?
A. Yes, however it would be considerate for you to inform the editor of the publication that you are entering the material.

Q. What is the difference between a Regular Column, Thought Leadership and Editor’s Letter or Note?
A. There is a major difference between an thought leadership article, an editor's letter or note and a column. A thought leadership article can be written by any editor, writer or freelancer, and are usually persuasive — making a case with supporting facts and addressing opposing arguments — and sometimes include a call to action. Editor's Letters or Notes provide an engaging entry point to the publication, often with personal observations or anecdotes, and offer insight and context on a topic the publication is covering. The Regular Column category, however, allows a column on any subject matter, written by editorial staff members, freelance contributors or industry expert contributors to be rewarded.

Q. If I enter a column into Regular Column, might it get moved over to the Thought Leadership or Editor’s Letter or Note categories? Who makes that decision? If I enter one category and it gets switched to another, am I notified? Can I withdraw my entry and get a refund of the entry fees?
A. If you enter a column into Regular Column, it is highly unlikely the entry would be moved to the Thought Leadership or Editor's Letter or Note categories, unless the entry should have been submitted to the other category based on content.

ASBPE does reserve the right to move an entry from one category to another, if appropriate. Sometimes people enter the wrong categories, and the Awards Committee would make the final decision. While we cannot always inform the entrant in advance, because of time constraints, entrants are generally notified within a few business days of the committee's decision to move an entry. Entry fees are not refundable.

Q. Can a news section be entered in the Regular Department category?
A. No, we accept news section material in our Industry News Coverage categories (Print and Online divisions).

Q. It says in the rules that you may not submit the same material in more than one category. Is that just between Print and Online, or between the Overall Excellence categories too? If I submit an article to the “Feature Article” category under Print, does that mean I can’t submit the same article for “Feature Article” under Design?
A. If you have a feature article, you may enter the article in both the Print Feature Article category and the Design Feature Article category. However, you would not be able to enter that same article in the Online Feature category (even if it was published both in print and online - please submit it to the division corresponding with where it was published first).

There are a few exceptions:

  • If an article is part of a series or section, you can enter it into one category as part of a series or section (such as Feature Series, Single Topic Coverage by a Team or Special Section) as well as a single-article category (such as Case Study, Data Journalism or News Analysis). However, for articles that are not part of a series or section, you are only allowed to submit the article in one category from the All Content division, Print division or Online division.
  • If you enter an Overall Excellence category, you may submit any part of any of the submitted material into a Print, Online, All Content or Design category. Remember that the Overall Excellence categories limit entrants to one submission per publication in each category.
  • If you submit an article into a single-article category AND a series or section category, you must note in your essay that the single article is part of a series or section so the judges are aware.

Q. How do I copy an entry in order to submit it to another category?
A. Once saved as a draft or added to the cart, you'll be able to view your entries by selecting My Entries in the left-hand menu. Within the chart displaying your entries, you'll see an option to copy each entry. Keep in mind our rules about duplicate entries:

  • Many categories allow only one submission per publication brand.
  • While work can be submitted to either the Print or Online division and to the Design division, entries should not be duplicated between Print and Online (instead submit it according to where it was published first).
  • You may submit material to a single-article category, a multi-article category, and an Overall Excellence category as "part of the whole." However, you should avoid submitting the same material to two single-article categories or two multi-article categories.

Q. Are “advertorials” accepted in editorial and design categories? How do you define “advertorial”?
A. No, advertorials by definition present advertising as editorial and cannot be submitted into the Azbees contest. On the other hand, sponsored content — where the editorial and design staff retain complete control over the article, section or supplement — can be submitted into the Azbees so long as it is properly labeled.

Q. Would an article, story, etc. written by one of a publication’s advertisers, or someone employed by one of a publication’s advertisers, be eligible for any of your editorial or design awards?
A. Given the answer above, this might sound contradictory, but such an entry may be eligible. Editors often ask a representative from one of the publication’s advertisers to write an article. This is especially true in smaller technical publications because the advertiser has the technical expertise to write on the topic. In this case, however, the editor must have complete control over the article’s development, writing, editing and presentation. This kind of article may be submitted in the appropriate categories.

Q. Regarding the Original Research Article category, we do an annual study that has grown so large that we now publish it in two parts. Should both those parts be submitted as one, or would that be considered two separate articles for the purpose of these awards?
A. Per the category description, this category does not accept the research report or annual study itself. Please enter only one article that covers the annual study (or other research piece) in a meaningful way and expands upon the research itself. You can note in your essay that the study is published in two segments if this is not already mentioned in the article.

Q. We have three print feature stories packaged under a single theme in one issue (10 pages total). The Feature Article category refers to submitting one story, but the Feature Series category refers to being in multiple issues. How should we submit this?
A. A single-theme package of features from a single issue should be submitted in the Special Section or Single Topic Coverage categories. The Feature Series category is specifically for a series that appeared in multiple issues.

Q. We devoted an entire issue to a single theme. Since all the stories appeared in one issue and the entire issue was entirely devoted to one subject, it doesn’t qualify as a Feature Series, a Special Section or a Special Supplement according to those categories’ descriptions. Where can I enter these stories?
A. We recently updated the Special Supplement category to Special Issue or Supplement. Your special issue devoted to a single topic or theme is now eligible in that category. Otherwise, you may submit up to five articles from your issue to the Single Topic Coverage category in the Print division.

Q. My question relates to the Profile categories: If the story is a legitimate profile piece but profiles three individuals, all of whom share oversight of a single company, may it be entered in the Group or Company Profile category?
A. The Group and Company Profile categories were combined in 2024. The category now accepts articles profiling a single company, organization, or group of people with alightned purposes and goals. The only articles profiling groups that should not submitted to the new category are articles profiling indivuals as part of a group recognition program (such as "30 under 30" or "Top 20"-style articles). These should instead be submitted in the Group Recognition Program category.

Q: For the Publication Redesign category, does the redesigned issue/edition submitted have to be the very first issue/edition of the redesign?
A: Yes. It must be the first issue/edition of the redesign. ASBPE acknowledges that designs may be adjusted slightly in subsequent issues/editions. However, if everyone enters the first redesigned issue/edition judges will have a fairer comparison. The exception would be if the first redesigned issue was a special issue or directory (see next question).

Q. Regarding the Publication Redesign category, the rules say to enter the first issue/edition of the redesign and the issue/edition immediately prior to the redesign. It also states that the first regular issue (not a special issue) prior to the redesign should be submitted. If the first issue of the redesign was a special issue in which certain departments and other content don’t match what is in the issue immediately prior to the redesign, should I enter the last issue before the redesign and the second issue of the redesign (the first issue after the special issue)? Or should I just enter the first issue of the redesign, even though it was a special issue?
A. The purpose of this category is to be able to judge regular, not special, issues. In this case, you should enter the first regular issue showing the redesign and the last regular issue of the old design. Be sure to say what you are doing in your essay so the judges are aware.

Q. Would a themed issue that is tied to various department sections in the publication qualify in the Special Section category? For example, we have feature stories running throughout the book in various department sections on a single theme. The issue also features a cover story on the topic. These stories are clearly tied together with a logo. However, they are not packaged together as one whole special section.
A. If this is a special issue devoted to a single topic or theme, it is now eligible in the Special Issue or Supplement category. If your themed issue reflects additional topics or themes, we'd recommend submitting up to five articles from your issue to the Single Topic Coverage by a Team category in the Print division, as your multi-theme or multi-topic issue may not be compared fairly to issues with a single topic or theme.


Entry Preparation, Forms, Shipping

Q. What files should I prepare for my submission?
A. Please view our submission requirements to help you prepare your entries. Be sure to review the category description for any category-specific requirements. Please note, if you are entering the Magazine of the Year category, you'll be required to mail two sets of hard copies of your publication to ASBPE.

Q. What types of PDFs are required for online entry?
A. We require screen-optimized PDF files. High-resolution files may not render properly when viewed by judges online. Your publication's design team can assist with exporting these files. Note: ASBPE now makes it optional to include fractional or full-page ads within or on adjacent, facing pages of the article you are submitting if those ads are added by another department or printer. We do recommend formatting sections and full-magazine submission PDFs as spreads and turning off all printer marks.

Q. Are digital files mandatory for any electronically submitted Azbee Award entry, or can we send in hard copies?
A. All entries submitted require digital entry files to be uploaded or URLs to be provided. However the Magazine of the Year category also requires you to print a copy of your invoice to submit along with two sets of physical copies of your chosen issues as part of your mail-in submission. All other categories do not allow mail-in submissions, only PDFs for print submissions and URLs for web submissions.

Q. Why do I have to mail in so many hard copies for my Magazine of the Year entry?
A. Entries are forwarded to multiple judges, so we need multiple sets of your complete entry. Mail-in entries require two sets of the same issues submitted in your online entry.

Q. Is it OK to submit a PDF for a print editorial entry from a tabloid? Will a printout of such a file be shrunk down and too hard to read?
A. It is acceptable to enter a PDF from either a tabloid-sized or regular-sized publication. It will be up to the individual judges whether they choose to print off the entries or look at them only on their computer screens. If the judges choose to print the PDFs, they do so knowing that some of the quality and/or size may be lost in desktop printing.

Q. The entry fee covers just one entry, correct? So, if I wanted to submit two entries for the category of How-To Article, it would be double the regular entry fee?
A. Yes, the fee listed is for one, individual entry.

Q. Will ASBPE confirm that it has received my shipment for Magazine of the Year?
A: Due to a high volume of entries, ASBPE is not able to confirm each shipment received. We require entrants to ship their submissions using a service that provides a tracking number. An ASBPE representative will reach out only if we have not received your Magazine of the Year mail-in submission by the entry deadline.

Q: What if I change jobs or move after I enter the Azbees?
A. If you win an award but are not able to attend a regional or national awards presentation and your address has changed, please reach out to the Awards Committee through our contact form. Please make sure to include your name, the title(s) of the entry or entries, and the publication the award is associated with. We will only honor address changes submitted by the original entrant.


Submitting Entries Online

Q. Who needs to create an Azbee Awards account?
A. Anyone using the Azbee Awards entry system — whether a member of ASBPE or a non-member — needs to create an online account. Once a competition account is created, the individual will be able to complete all entries without filling in his or her basic information each time. The process will also help publications keep their entries together and pay for groups of entries together. Publications may submit unlimited additional entries, prior to the deadline. You can also complete the checkout process multiple times, if you prefer.

ASBPE members must use their ASBPE.org login credentials (same username and password) to log into the contest website in order to receive the member discount on entry fees.

Q. Is there any way to edit entries after they are submitted online — for instance, if I have made mistakes on names or categories?
A. You may save in-progress drafts and edit entries only if you have not completed the payment/checkout process. Once you finish the checkout process, you may submit new entries but not edit previously submitted entries. If you notice any glaring issues with your submission, please reach out to the Awards Committee through our contact form. Please note: once judging is completed and awards preparation is underway, we can no longer make edits to the information that will be presented on your awards.


Don’t see your question answered here?
Please reach out to the Awards Committee through our contact form.

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