The ESOP Association (TEA) is reimagining its Annual Awards for Culture and Communication Excellence (AACE) for 2026, modernizing the categories and updating the criteria to elevate the program. In recent years, judges observed that the awards felt dated and often prioritized the medium over the message. To address this, the newly proposed awards refocus attention on ESOP Culture, Communication, Education, and Engagement.
Also new this year, the program will accept all submissions electronically, replacing the binders and “science fair” style poster boards used in the past. Each award will continue to recognize a winner and a runner up in two categories: Small ESOP member companies (under 250 employee owners) and large ESOP member companies (over 250 employee owners).
We extend our sincere thanks to former AACE judges Michelle Steltz of Opportunities for Positive Growth, Stacie Roberts of Sentry Equipment, and Christine Perry of Cisco-Eagle for their efforts to create these new awards/judging criteria.
2026 Award Categories
- New ESOP Transition Award
A newly formed ESOP member company (within five years of launch) will earn this award for demonstrating excellence in introducing and communicating its transition to employee ownership. The top submission will showcase an inspired event or process and a clear, thoughtful, and employee-centered communication strategy that helps employees understand not only what an ESOP is, but why the transition matters and how ownership connects to long-term value, culture, and shared success. - Best Overall ESOP Education Award
An ESOP member company that delivers a comprehensive, intentional, and well executed approach to employee owner education across the full lifecycle of ownership will receive this award. Judges will review how the organization equips employee owners with the knowledge they need—from their initial introduction to employee ownership through long-term participation and, ultimately, retirement and distribution decisions. - Best Overall Employee Ownership Month Celebration Award
This award will commend an ESOP member company that delivered an engaging, inclusive, and meaningful EOM celebration that strengthened understanding, pride, and participation among employee owners. Judges will look for a thoughtful, well-executed approach that effectively celebrates employee ownership across the organization. - Best Stock Price Reveal Award
An ESOP member company will receive this award by showcasing how they developed a stock price announcement into a meaningful ownership experience. The winning entry will illustrate how the organization used the stock price reveal—regardless of increase or decrease—to engage employee owners, reinforce transparency, and deepen understanding of the connection between daily work and long-term value. - Best Community Engagement Award
This award will go to an ESOP member company that exemplifies how employee ownership strengthens relationships with customers, the local community, and public leaders. The leading submission will reveal how the company actively shares its ESOP story beyond its walls and uses employee ownership as a meaningful differentiator in community engagement and support. - Total ESOP Culture and Communications Award
An ESOP member company whose communications clearly reflect and reinforce its overall ESOP culture will take honors for this award. The standout submission will illustrate a cohesive, intentional communication strategy that consistently informs, engages, and inspires employee owners.
Employee Ownership Poster Competition
Every October, TEA and member companies celebrate the spirit of employee ownership. TEA’s annual poster competition highlights the poster that best embodies ESOP culture and the values of employee ownership, and we will showcase the winning design throughout our October EOM events and communications.
The program will now accept submissions in PDF format instead of physical poster boards, while keeping the annual poster competition otherwise unchanged.
We look forward to launching this modernized program with updated criteria that reflect the evolving ESOP landscape. Additional details will follow, as the competition will open in March. For questions please contact AACE@esopassociation.org.
