Thought Leadership Categories

Recognizing organizations and individuals for their thought leadership-related achievements since January 1, 2025.

Nominations that won in the 2026 ABAs may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2027 ABAs. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information to be submitted online for entries in this category in the 2027 competition include:

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization’s achievements since January 1, 2025, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: history and past performance (up to 1,500 characters). Required
b. Outline the organization’s thought leadership achievements since the beginning of January 2025 that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 1,900 characters). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization’s past performance (up to 1,900 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination. (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, or images, for example. These might be planning documents, press clippings, work samples, photographs, video clips, etc.

W01. Achievement in Thought Leadership
This category will recognize the achievements since January 1, 2025, of organizations in the USA that have taken active measures to develop their executives and employees as thought leaders and promote their thought leadership to audiences inside and outside the organization.

W02. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year
These categories will recognize the achievements since January 1, 2025 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created and performed in the USA.
a. Business Products
b. Business Services
c. Consumer Products
d. Consumer Services
e. Association, Government or Nonprofit

W03. Thought Leader of The Year
This category will recognize the achievements since January 1, 2025 of individuals who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations.
a. Business Products
b. Business Services
c. Consumer Products
d. Consumer Services
e. Association, Government or Nonprofit (There is no entry fee for this subcategory)