Awards Submit Your Work Golden Achievement

There are no specific categories for entries in the Golden Achievement Award contest, but following are examples of programs, projects, campaigns and activities to consider entering:

• Community outreach and public engagement initiatives
• Parent involvement campaigns/programs
• Marketing/branding campaigns
• Bond/finance election campaigns
• Internal communication programs
• Staff and student recognition programs
• School safety, wellness and inclusion programs
• Crisis communication and response
• Customer service programs
• Education advocacy programs/coalitions

Programs/projects/campaigns must have been underway or completed between March 2024 and the contest deadline of March 14, 2025.

Golden Achievement Award entries must be organized into a single PDF file. The entry is limited to no more than six pages in total (packaged in a single PDF). An entry must include:

• Summary of the program/project/campaign (page max = 2) Summarize the program/project/campaign by demonstrating how it followed the four-step strategic public relations planning process of research, planning, implementation and evaluation (RPIE). Do not exceed two pages.

An entry may include:

• Additional support materials demonstrating outstanding, strategic work as part of the program/project/campaign. Samples, brief synopses or hyperlinks to materials (websites, videos, social media, etc.) are sufficient. Do not cause the entry to exceed the 6 page total.

Review entries from the most recent Golden Achievement Award winners before preparing your entry.

NSPRA uses as judges a variety of association members and public relations professionals who are experienced, award winning and accredited. Judges' identities are kept confidential.

When reviewing Golden Achievement Award entries, they judge each entry individually based on strategic communication best practices, good writing and alignment with entry guidelines. Judges score the entry against the following criteria:

• Research (25% of score): What evidence is there of careful analysis of the need for the program/project/campaign? Is there any primary or secondary research? Are there stated goals and measurable objectives?
• Planning (25% of score): What evidence is there of thoughtful planning to address the need for the program/project/campaign? Are strategies, tactics, target audiences, budgets, resources and staff responsibilities identified?
• Implementation (25% of score): What evidence is there that strategies, tactics and activities were carried out as planned?
• Evaluation (25% of score): What evidence is there that evaluation components were included in plan development and carried out to measure success in achieving desired outcomes? Are there any recommendations for future improvements or next steps?

Each entry will be judged individually against the contest criteria—not against other entries. Judges will select as many winners as meet the criteria.

Golden Achievement Award entries must be submitted ​at www.nspra.org/award-apply.

• Entry: Compile all entry materials into a single PDF document that is no more than six pages in total. Multiple support materials will not be accepted.
• Fee: $95 per entry for NSPRA members, $135 per entry for non-members
• Deadline: March 14, 2025

NSPRA staff will notify all Golden Achievement Award entrants as to the status of their entries via email in May.

Winners will receive an award and be:

• Recognized during the Annual Meeting and Celebration of Achievement held on Sunday afternoon during the NSPRA National Seminar. Awards will be distributed to winners immediately following the meeting.
• Recognized in a signage display at the Member Center of the NSPRA National Seminar.
• Provided with a 100% authenticated, always up-to-date digital badge that can be added to LinkedIn profiles, email signatures, websites and more.
• Recognized on the NSPRA website and in future association newsletters.