Awards

NCDDA DOWNTOWN EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Celebrating Innovation, Leadership, and Impact in North Carolina’s Downtowns

APPLICATION OPEN NOW

Deadline to Submit: Monday, February 16, 2026, by 11:59pm

Program Intent

To recognize outstanding leadership, rising talent, and exemplary initiatives that contribute to the vitality and success of North Carolina’s downtowns, while elevating best practices across the state.

The program aims to:

Celebrate the outstanding work and leadership of NCDDA organizations across the state.
Generate positive storytelling and media about the impact of downtown organizations.
Provide value to members through organizational recognition.
Increase visibility of work and foster statewide peer learning.
Gather information about innovative, high-impact projects to strengthen NCDDA’s understanding of trends, challenges, and success stories across North Carolina downtowns.

Overview

The Downtown Excellence Awards recognize both individual leadership and organizational impact in downtown development and management. The awards highlight innovative strategies, best practices, and measurable results that strengthen local economies and communities of all sizes, from Main Streets to major urban centers.

Awards are presented annually. Submissions open to all NCDDA member organizations in good standing (Main Street programs, BIDs, downtown associations, consultants, urban districts, and municipalities).

Downtown Impact Awards

Recognizes outstanding projects that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and measurable community benefit.
Eligibility: Projects must have been significantly implemented, completed or expanded within the past two years. Open to all NCDDA member organizations in good standing.
Selection: Up to five (5) recipients per category.
Criteria: Community impact, innovation and creativity, measurable results, and best practice and/or replicability for other NC downtowns.
Submission: $50 per project. Limit of three project submissions per NCDDA member organization. Each project may be eligible for up to two categories.

Downtown Impact Awards Categories:

Communications & Marketing – Branding, storytelling, and marketing campaigns that elevate downtown visibility. (e.g., downtown branding, shop local or seasonal marketing campaign, storytelling or video series, downtown website/app/map, etc.)
Events, Activations & Placemaking – Creative programming that enlivens downtown spaces and builds community. (e.g., signature downtown festival, market series, art or placemaking installation, holiday lighting or décor program, public space activation, etc.)
Operations: Clean, Green & Safe – Programs improving safety, cleanliness, and quality of place. (e.g., ambassador or Clean & Safe program launch or significant expansion, beautification program, landscaping improvement project, public lighting enhancements, wayfinding, sustainability initiative, micro-mobility solutions, safety and outreach partnerships, etc.)
Economic Development, Planning & Advocacy – Initiatives advancing business vitality, downtown planning, and policy. (e.g., downtown plans, research & reports, grant or façade improvement program, retail recruitment or vacancy reduction initiative, pop-up or incubator program, local policy advocacy and initiatives, etc.)
Catalytic Projects – Major community investments, physical interventions, and infrastructure & revitalization projects designed to spur downtown investment. (e.g., downtown stadiums, streetscapes, historic preservation and development, adaptive reuse, P3 projects, pedestrian bridges and trails)
Organizational Management – Excellence in governance, organizational strategic planning, community engagement, funding, strategies, and operational leadership. (e.g., organizational strategic plans, innovative funding models and fundraising, BID formation campaigns, community engagement initiatives, board or volunteer development program, databases and performance measurement systems, etc.)

Downtown Leader of the Year

Honors an individual whose leadership, vision, and collaboration have significantly advanced downtown revitalization in their community or statewide. Focus of the award is on an individual’s significant recent impact and notable achievement(s) in their community within the past two (2) years.
Eligibility: Professionals, civic leaders, or officials active in downtown development. A minimum of two (2) years of NC downtown experience required
Selection: One (1) recipient.
Criteria: Leadership excellence, innovation, impact, collaboration, and service to the profession.
Submission: $75 fee. Limit of one submission per NCDDA member organization.

Emerging Leader

Recognizes early-to-mid-career professionals who demonstrate creativity, initiative, and commitment to the downtown profession.
Eligibility: Professionals with up to (but no more than) six years of downtown experience.
Selection: Up to three (3) recipients.
Criteria: Innovation, leadership, community impact, and potential for future growth.
Submission: Free to nominate. Limit of one submission per NCDDA member organization.

Judging & Evaluation

Judged by a panel of experienced downtown professionals, NCDDA board members, and external experts. Jury will meet to deliberate in month following deadline.

Recognition

Features on the NCDDA website, newsletter, and social media
Receive award certificate for display
Opportunities to present at future NCDDA events

Timeline

Call for Entries: Mid-December 2025
Submission Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026, by 11:59pm
Jury Deliberation: March 2026
Award Announcements: (Tentatively) End of April 2026

Basic Submission Requirements

Each submission requires a brief written narrative describing the nominated program, project, or individual and the downtown impact achieved. For ongoing initiatives, applicants must also explain how the program has been significantly expanded or adapted within the past two years. Individual awards require both a resume and letter of recommendation to be submitted. Supplemental materials, such as up to three images and links to relevant media or webpages, may also be submitted to provide additional context and strengthen the application.

Ready to Submit?

Applications are able to be submitted through the online submission form.

If you have questions, please send a message to admin@ncdda.org. We will update the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below regularly.

Thank you for your continued leadership in strengthening North Carolina’s downtowns. We look forward to celebrating your work and elevating the best practices shaping our communities statewide!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are self-nominations allowed?

Yes, self-nominations are encouraged.

How will payment be collected for awards with submission fees?

Submission fees will be collected via invoice and not through this form at the time of submission. Nominators will be invoiced after submission by NCDDA staff. Invoices will be sent to the email address listed above–please allow a few days for staff to process.
Invoices must be paid in full by the due date listed in the invoice in order for the award submission to be considered eligible. Invoice payment may be made via check or credit card.

Will I receive a confirmation or a copy of the submission when it is submitted?

Yes, a copy of each submitted response will be automatically emailed to the email address provided in the submission form. Some awards require submission of additional documents via email. Submissions will not be considered complete until required materials have been received. NCDDA staff will confirm receipt of those documents via email.

May I submit multiple times? / How many submissions can be made?

Up to three (3) projects per NCDDA member organization may be submitted for the Downtown Impact award (fee of $50 per submission). Limit of one nomination per award for the awards recognizing individuals for each NCDDA member organization.
The form can be completed multiple times–please complete and submit the form once per project/individual.