What's New for the 2027 Azbee Awards

The 2027 Azbee Awards of Excellence open for submissions on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Based on entrant and judge feedback, ASBPE's Awards Committee has implemented major updates to enhance the submission, judging, and awards processes.

Here is a summary of the updates you’ll see across the site. Watch our email announcements for additional news and reminders. Non-members can join our email list here to receive updates.

Updated Divisions, Regions and Category Descriptions

• Categories are now organized under three main divisions: Editorial (merging former All Content, Print, and Online divisions, accepting print/digital unless noted), Design, and Overall Excellence.

• Our new, six-region system establishes greater parity between high- and low-entry regions.

• Refreshed category descriptions clearly outline requirements, guidelines, and restrictions to simplify selecting the right category for your content.

Certificates and Certificate Holders

• Certificate holders are being eliminated to remain fiscally and environmentally responsible, passing savings directly to members.

• Certificates will no longer be billed upfront, winner or not. Winners can order paper certificates after winners are announced, with certificate holders available as an add-on while in stock. Free digital award badges will continue to be provided to all winners, so you can choose how to celebrate.

Changes Increase Stackable Savings for Members

• We’ll pass these operational savings to you through an increased member discount: ASBPE members now receive $115 off per entry, and freelance members get an additional $20 discount.

• Early-bird savings provide an additional $30 off per entry for submissions completed by Dec. 15, 2026. All member discounts stack fully with early-bird savings. Seriously, sign up for membership to maximize savings (at $100 or less, you reap immediate savings).

New Categories and Category Updates

• New Categories:

  • Podcast of the Year (Overall Excellence): Recognizes the podcast medium as a core editorial product and rewards excellence for your podcast series as a whole (single episodes can still be submitted to the renamed Best Podcast Episode  category under Editorial).

  • Best Body of Work (Overall Excellence): Get the individual recognition you deserve! This coveted award honors one staff journalist, one freelancer, and one designer for the portfolio of 2026 work.

  • Best Conversion from Print to Web (Editorial): Celebrates publications who converted their print magazine to a new website in 2026 (open to hybrid and digital-only transitions).

  • Best Design for a Single Issue (Design): Recognizes outstanding design in a single regular issue, special issue, or supplement.

• Category & Subgroup Updates:

  • Subgroups: Depending on entry volumes, categories may be awarded in subgroups including Industry vs. Association, Static vs. Multimedia, Print vs. Digital, or issue frequency (e.g., Magazine of the Year).

  • Video & Video Series: Now permits outsourced production, offering separate In-House and Outsourced subgroups on the entry form.

  • Digital Article Design: Renamed from Web Article Design to include digital magazine design.

  • Data Visualization: Now evaluates a single standout visualization piece.

  • Key 2026 Revisions: Updated criteria for Digital Magazine of the Year; merged Front Cover and Opening Page/Spread categories; tracker articles allowed in Breaking News Coverage; removed prior regular-issue requirements for Special Issue or Supplement.

Judges: New Judge Agreement & Azbee Bucks

• Judges earn $5 in Azbee Bucks per scored entry (e.g., 10 entries = $50, 20 entries= $100). Azbee Bucks can be applied toward most ASBPE expenses. There’s no cap to how much you can earn, but accumulating $200+ automatically earmarks $100 toward ASBPEvolve Summit registration.

• A new Judging Agreement is required when you apply to judge, covering professional standards, objectivity, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, entrant feedback, and Azbee Bucks rewards.

How to Enter

• Members: Use the member login button with your ASBPE.org username and password starting Nov. 2, 2026, to access automatic member discounts. Renew and/or update your profile beforehand to streamline auto-filled contact details.

• Non-Members: Create a non-member account to submit starting Nov. 2, 2026. Non-member entries are ineligible for member discounts unless you join ASBPE. Non-members can also join our email list to receive news and updates.

• Submissions: Submit entries individually or in batches through our online checkout. Review our Eligibility & Rules, Submission Requirements and Entry Fees and Deadlines before entering.

• Log in or create a new account to submit your entries!

Important Notes & Entry Deadlines:

• Early-Bird Savings Deadline: Save $30 per entry by submitting before Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.

• Regular Entry Deadline: Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET

• Late Entry Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET (entries include a $20 late entry fee; no extensions).

• Judges Earn & Learn: Apply to be an Azbee judge today!

• Support hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET.

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