Gem City PR Awards Entries and Nominations Are Open Through March 31st!
We know there are many talented professionals in the Dayton area. And we are pleased to announce the 2026 Gem City PR Awards, a regional recognition of outstanding achievements by communication professionals across the Miami Valley. Whether you are an experienced PR or marketing professional, an emerging talent, or passionate about communication, this is your opportunity to highlight your work, gain recognition from your peers, or nominate someone within the industry.
Entries are open to PRSA and PRSSA members, as well as non-members who live or work in the Dayton area. We encourage all communication professionals to participate in this celebration of excellence. You can submit your work HERE through March 31st, 2026. Additional details are available on this page.
New to the process? We have you covered! The "How to Create a Winning PRSA Gem City Awards Submission" video below will walk you through every step:
In addition to project and campaign awards, we will honor outstanding communications leaders with awards such as Communications Professional of the Year (The Smitty), Media Friend of the Year, Newsmaker of the Year, and Young Professional of the Year. These awards recognize exceptional individual contributions to our community.
You can nominate your peers for the individual award through the links below:
- The Smitty (Communications Professional of the Year): refer to the criteria and nomination form HERE
- Media Friend of the Year: refer to the criteria and nomination form HERE
- Young Professional of the Year: refer to the criteria and nomination form HERE
- Newsmaker of the Year: refer to the criteria and nomination form HERE
We will celebrate all winners at the Gem City Awards Luncheon on May 21st, 2026.
Finally, don't miss the opportunity to showcase your business to the largest network of PR, communications, and marketing professionals in the area. If you are interested in supporting the Gem City PR Awards, please contact Niki Mayakova, Chapter President, for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
