Freelancer.com has evolved from a traditional freelancing marketplace into a platform designed to coordinate complex, enterprise-level innovation in the AI era. With more than 80 million users globally, the company’s recent transformation reflects a broader shift in how organizations access and deploy specialized talent at scale.


As AI adoption accelerates, organizations are encountering a growing challenge: while automation reduces the need for routine work, it simultaneously increases demand for highly specialized human expertise. Projects involving AI development, validation, and multilingual data training require niche skills that are globally distributed and difficult to source through traditional hiring models.

A Platform Built for Coordination, Not Replacement
Freelancer’s response was to rethink the role of its platform. Rather than positioning AI as a substitute for human work, the company developed systems that use AI to coordinate human expertise more effectively.

This shift is reflected in several key developments:

Intelligent Talent Orchestration: AI-driven systems that match and coordinate teams across disciplines, languages, and geographies—demonstrated through large-scale projects spanning more than 50 languages.

Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure: Financial and technical systems capable of supporting high-value, complex engagements, including transactions reaching tens of millions of dollars.

Moonshot Innovation Program: A framework for tackling large-scale, multi-phase challenges by coordinating distributed teams, managing intellectual property, and structuring collaborative research.

Together, these capabilities move the platform beyond task-based freelancing into coordinated innovation delivery.

Positioning for Emerging Technologies
Freelancer’s model is increasingly aligned with emerging fields such as quantum computing and advanced AI, where expertise is scarce and globally dispersed. By enabling organizations to access and coordinate that expertise, the platform is positioning itself as infrastructure for a new category of innovation work.

Rather than replacing human input, the company’s approach reinforces the role of human judgment, creativity, and problem-solving—supported by systems that enable large-scale collaboration.

Freelancer.com earned a Gold Stevie® Award for Best Business Technology Pivot in The 2025 International Business Awards®.

Interested in entering for 2026?

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only luxury cruise line reshaping the hospitality and leisure industry with a modern, experience-driven approach to ocean travel. Founded in 2014 by Richard Branson, the company launched its first voyage in 2021 and has since established itself as a distinct alternative to traditional cruise models.

With a fleet of “Lady Ships” and a focus on inclusive, no-surprise pricing, Virgin Voyages delivers a streamlined, elevated travel experience across destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and beyond.
The global cruise industry has long been defined by legacy operators, standardized offerings, and incremental innovation. Virgin Voyages entered this space with a fundamentally different model—targeting adult travelers seeking a more contemporary, flexible, and design-forward experience.

By eliminating common industry practices such as surcharge-heavy pricing and gratuity-dependent service structures, the company addressed long-standing friction points in customer experience while aligning more closely with modern hospitality expectations.

A Distinctive and Technology-Forward Approach
Virgin Voyages has introduced a range of innovations across both onboard experience and operational strategy. Its ships feature award-winning dining, entertainment, and wellness offerings included in the base fare, reducing complexity for travelers. The brand has also invested in advanced connectivity, offering high-speed internet capabilities that rival land-based environments, supporting both leisure and remote work needs at sea.

Beyond onboard features, the company has expanded rapidly, introducing 19 new destinations and 27 itineraries through April 2025, with routes spanning Europe, the Caribbean, and additional global markets. Strategic initiatives, including new market entries and experiential partnerships, position the brand as both a travel provider and a broader lifestyle offering.

Delivering Measurable Growth and Industry Recognition
Since 2023, Virgin Voyages has achieved significant industry recognition across multiple independent platforms. The company was named the #1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure and earned top rankings in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. It also received multiple honors from Cruise Critic, including Best Overall Cruise Line, Best Dining, and Best Service.

Operationally, the company has supported its growth with a capital raise to accelerate international expansion and enhance customer experience. At the same time, it has maintained a strong focus on workforce practices, implementing policies that ensure crew members receive living wages independent of gratuities—an approach that contributes to employee satisfaction and service quality.

What distinguishes Virgin Voyages is its integrated approach to innovation, employee experience, and brand positioning. Rather than adapting existing cruise frameworks, the company has built a model centered on transparency, design, and cultural relevance. Its adults-only positioning, emphasis on inclusivity, and continued investment in both technology and global expansion reflect a broader shift toward experiential travel.

Virgin Voyages earned a Gold Stevie® Award for Company of the Year – Hospitality & Leisure – Large and a Gold Stevie Award for Most Innovative Instagram Feed in the 2025 International Business Awards®.

Interested in entering for 2026?

Founded in 1985, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) is a peer-led nonprofit organization that provides community-based services promoting recovery, wellness, and independence for individuals with lived experience of behavioral health conditions. Over four decades, CSPNJ has grown from three drop-in centers into a statewide network offering community wellness centers, supportive housing, advocacy, and outreach services.

Today, CSPNJ serves more than 16,000 community wellness center members and 600+ supportive housing residents across New Jersey. The organization employs over 360 staff, many of whom bring lived experience to their roles, reflecting CSPNJ’s commitment to peer-led service delivery.

Expanding Housing, Outreach, and Crisis Services
CSPNJ has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly in homelessness outreach and crisis response services. Through partnerships with state agencies and community organizations, the organization provides preventative services, street outreach, and warming centers across multiple counties. Since 2023, CSPNJ has launched several new statewide and county-specific programs, including initiatives supporting veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness.

The organization has also strengthened its crisis response capabilities. Its Peer Wellness Respite programs, which serve as alternatives to hospitalization, increased occupancy rates from 72.2% to 92.6% between 2023 and 2024. In 2025, CSPNJ introduced Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORT), providing rapid, community-based mental health support through peer specialists and behavioral health professionals.

Growing Impact and Community Reach
Since October 2023, CSPNJ has grown by 28%, reflecting the addition of new programs and increased demand for services. Over the past year alone, the organization has reached more than 12,000 individuals through homelessness outreach and related services.

The organization is also seeing increased engagement from younger populations. Across its statewide network, CSPNJ has welcomed hundreds of new members aged 18–30, reflecting shifting community needs and the ongoing impact of mental health challenges following the pandemic.

Internally, CSPNJ has focused on workforce development and organizational culture. The organization has been recognized as a Top Workplace in both 2024 and 2025, with 90% of employees reporting that their work is meaningful.

Strengthening Visibility and Communications
Alongside program expansion, CSPNJ has increased its public visibility and communications efforts. Historically operating with a limited external presence, the organization has expanded its reach across digital platforms, media outlets, and community partnerships, increasing awareness of its services and mission.

These efforts have supported greater accessibility to services and strengthened CSPNJ’s role as a resource for individuals and communities across New Jersey.

Supporting Communications Leadership
This work has been supported in part by Chelsea Triano, CSPNJ’s Marketing Coordinator, who was also recognized in The 2025 International Business Awards®. As a one-person communications team, Triano has led efforts to expand CSPNJ’s digital presence, increasing social media engagement and building stronger connections with community partners.

Her initiatives include developing accessible communications tools, expanding partnerships, and leading events that support community engagement and awareness. These efforts have contributed to increased visibility and improved access to CSPNJ’s services across the state.

Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey won a Silver Stevie® Award for Organization of the Year – Non-Profit or Government Organizations – Large, and Chelsea Triano won a Silver Stevie Award for Communications Professional of the Year in The 2025 International Business Awards.

Interested in entering for 2026?

Apexon is a technology services firm that works with organizations across industries, including financial services, retail, and automotive. The company focuses on digital engineering, technology solutions, and transformation initiatives that help clients modernize systems, improve operations, and support long-term business growth.

Because that work depends on specialized technical talent, recruitment plays an important role in the company’s ability to deliver for clients. Finding candidates with expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI/ML, and full-stack development has become increasingly important as technology needs continue to evolve.

Apexon Talent Acquisition Manager Mischelle S Martis has developed a structured and forward-looking approach to technical recruitment, combining over eight years of experience with evolving technologies and market insights. 

Working across industries including automotive, banking and financial services, and retail, Mischelle has focused on aligning hiring strategies with business priorities. Her work emphasizes efficiency, scalability, and responsiveness to changing technical skill demands—particularly in high-growth areas such as AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and full-stack development.

A key aspect of her approach has been integrating AI-powered tools into recruitment workflows. By automating sourcing, screening, and candidate engagement, she has helped streamline processes and improve the speed and consistency of hiring outcomes.

Strengthening Recruitment Operations Through Process Innovation
Since early 2023, Mischelle has led the implementation of GenAI-driven recruitment solutions across the hiring lifecycle. These tools have enabled more targeted candidate matching, reduced manual workloads, and improved overall efficiency.

In addition, Mischelle introduced enhanced technical assessment processes and developed an Interview Training Program for hiring managers. These efforts resulted in a 20% improvement in quality of hire, reflecting stronger alignment between candidate capabilities and organizational needs.

Mischelle has also prioritized integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into recruitment strategies. Her work has focused on building more inclusive talent pipelines across technical disciplines.

One of her key initiatives was the launch of a DEI-focused Employee Referral Bonus Program, designed to encourage internal advocacy and broaden access to underrepresented talent. By collaborating with external partners and supplier networks, she has supported the development of more diverse candidate pools and strengthened inclusive hiring practices throughout the recruitment lifecycle.

Beyond sourcing and hiring, Martis has contributed to operational improvements within talent acquisition. She led a Reporting Optimization Initiative that standardized recruitment dashboards and key performance metrics, improving data accuracy and enabling more informed decision-making.

Her experience in areas such as vendor management, zero-based budgeting, and margin optimization has also supported cost efficiency and scalability across recruitment functions. These efforts have helped position talent acquisition as a more strategic contributor to business performance.

Mischelle was recognized with a Silver Stevie® Award for Recruiting Professional of the Year in the 2025 Stevie Awards for Great Employers.

Interested in entering for 2026?

Erste Teilnahmefrist läuft bis zum 13. Mai 2026

Spannende neue Kategorien für 2026

Die Stevie® Awards verkünden den Start der Nominierungsphase für die German Stevie Awards 2026. Damit geht der Wirtschaftspreis für das deutschsprachige Europa in die zwölfte Runde seines Bestehens. Interessierte Unternehmen und Organisationen aus Belgien, Deutschland, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Österreich und der Schweiz können sich ab sofort mit ihren Unternehmensleistungen und Projekten in zahlreichen Kategorien bewerben.  

Bis zum 13. Mai 2026 profitieren die Teilnehmenden von der vergünstigten Preisträgergebühr. Teilnahmeberechtigt sind Unternehmen und Organisationen jeder Größe, öffentliche und private Organisationen, gewinnorientiert oder gemeinnützig, aber auch Einzelpersonen aus der Wirtschaft dürfen teilnehmen. Umfassende Informationen über die Awards und die Teilnahmeunterlagen erhalten Sie unter GSA.StevieAwards.com.

Den Teilnehmenden steht eine Vielzahl an Kategorien zur Verfügung. Unter anderem:

• Awards im Bereich Künstliche Intelligenz (neu in 2026)
• Awards für Unternehmen/Institutionen
• Awards für Unternehmer*innen
• Marketing-Awards
• PR-Awards
• Human Resources-Awards
• Kundenservice-Awards
• Awards für Produktentwicklung
• Awards für App-Entwicklung und Webseiten
• Thought Leadership-Awards
• Podcast-Awards
• u.v.m.
  

Neu in diesem Jahr

Für die 12. German Stevie Awards 2026 gibt es eine ganze Reihe neuer Kategorien. Ein besonderes Highlight ist der neue Fachbereich Künstliche Intelligenz, der Innovationen, Anwendungen und spezifische Branchenlösungen würdigt. Auch in den bestehenden Kategorien gibt es Zuwachs: So wurden im Bereich Klimaschutz & Nachhaltigkeit Kategorien für Green-Tech-Lösungen und Climate-Tech-Startups ergänzt, während im Bereich Unternehmen & Unternehmensleistungen nun auch das 'Business-Netzwerk des Jahres' ausgezeichnet wird.

„Wir freuen uns, den führenden Unternehmen im deutschsprachigen Europa nicht nur unsere bewährten, langjährigen Award-Kategorien zu präsentieren, sondern – so hoffen wir – auch einige spannende neue Ergänzungen im diesjährigen Wettbewerb“, sagt Maggie Miller, Präsidentin der Stevie Awards. „Unser Team bei den Stevie Awards ist schon jetzt gespannt auf die Beiträge, die uns in diesem Jahr erreichen werden.“

Wieder dabei: People’s Choice Stevie Awards für die beliebtesten Unternehmen

Wer die Stevie Awards kennt, weiß: Die Gewinnerinnen und Gewinner werden mit einer Stevie® Award-Trophäe in Gold oder einer Medaille in Silber oder Bronze ausgezeichnet. Auch in diesem Jahr erwartet die Teilnehmenden der German Stevie Awards eine zusätzliche Auszeichnung: die People’s Choice Stevie® Awards für die beliebtesten Unternehmen.

Alle Organisationen, die bei den German Stevie Awards 2026 mit einem Gold, Silber oder Bronze Stevie® Award ausgezeichnet werden, haben die Chance, einen People’s Choice Stevie® Award zu gewinnen. Hierfür findet von Ende August bis Ende September 2026 eine öffentliche Online-Abstimmung statt, bei der jede*r für seine Favoriten abstimmen kann. Die Unternehmen mit den meisten Stimmen in den jeweiligen Kategorien werden mit einer Kristalltrophäe ausgezeichnet.

Teilnahmefristen und Termine

Alle Unternehmen und Organisationen dürfen kostenfrei beliebig viele Nominierungen einreichen. Erst bei erfolgreicher Nominierung - die mit einem Gold, Silber und Bronze Stevie Award ausgezeichnet wird - fällt eine Preisträgergebühr an. Teilnehmende, die ihre Bewerbungen bis zur ersten Teilnahmefrist, dem 13. Mai 2026, abgeben, profitieren von einem Rabatt auf diese Preisträgergebühren. Wer die Teilnahmefrist am 13. Mai verpasst, darf seine Bewerbungen noch bis zum 18. Juni 2026 einreichen.

Mehrere Fachgremien werden dann die Gold, Silber und Bronze Preisträgerinnen und Preisträger ermitteln. Die Gold-, Silber- und Bronze-Gewinner*innen werde im Rahmen des Stevie Awards Super Events am 28. Oktober in Paris gemeinsam mit den Gewinnern der International Business Awards, der Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence und der Stevie Awards for Great Employers geehrt.

Zu den Preisträgerinnen und Preisträgern der German Stevie Awards 2025 zählen unter anderem BITZER Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH (Sindelfingen, Deutschland), boneArtis AG (München, Deutschland), EuroTube Foundation (Dübendorf, Schweiz), Globus Handelshof St. Wendel GmbH & Co. KG (Koblenz, Deutschland), HASE & IGEL GmbH (Oldenburg, Deutschland), Mamer (Mamer, Luxemburg), PALFINGER AG & Tchitii Communication (Salzburg, Österreich), Raiffeisen Bank International (Wien, Österreich), Werner Schmid GmbH (Fulda, Deutschland), ZDF (Mainz, Deutschland) und ZF (Bielefeld, Deutschland).

Eine Übersicht über alle Preistragenden der German Stevie Awards 2025 finden Sie unter https://gsa.stevieawards.com/Auszeichnungen/Stevie-Award-Gewinner/.

Die German Stevie Awards sind Teil der Stevie® Awards, welche die renommierten International Business Awards® ausrichten und in insgesamt neun Wettbewerbsprogrammen jedes Jahr mehr als 12.000 Einreichungen aus über 70 Ländern erhalten.

Pressefotos der Stevie Awards Trophäen und das German Stevie Awards Logo finden Sie unter https://gsa.stevieawards.com/Die-Presse/Fotos-und-Logos. Weitere Pressefotos stellen wir Ihnen auf Wunsch gerne zur Verfügung.

Founded in 1997, Blancco Technology Group develops secure data erasure and device diagnostics solutions designed to help organizations safely manage end-of-life IT assets. As companies face growing data privacy requirements and rising volumes of retired hardware, Blancco’s technology enables enterprises and IT asset disposition (ITAD) providers to securely remove data and prepare devices for reuse or resale.

From its early focus on certified data sanitization software, the company has expanded its capabilities to address broader operational and sustainability challenges tied to the lifecycle of IT equipment. Each year, tens of millions of Blancco erasures are performed worldwide, helping organizations protect sensitive information while allowing data storage assets to be redeployed or responsibly recycled.

Today, Blancco’s technology is used by enterprises, mobile industry stakeholders, recyclers, and ITAD providers that process large volumes of retired devices. The company’s diagnostic tools and erasure solutions help organizations securely transition devices into the secondary market while meeting increasingly strict privacy and compliance standards.

Linking Data Security With the Circular Economy
A defining feature of Blancco’s approach is its focus on combining data security with sustainability. As global electronic waste continues to grow, extending the usable life of IT equipment has become a priority for many organizations. Blancco’s solutions support this shift by enabling secure data removal while helping devices move safely into the circular economy rather than being destroyed or discarded.

The company continues to expand its technology portfolio, supported by more than 40 patented or patent-pending innovations. In November 2024, Blancco introduced Autopilot Detection, a feature designed to address a growing challenge for ITAD providers when processing enterprise devices enrolled in Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) systems, such as Microsoft Windows Autopilot and Intune.

Devices enrolled in these management systems can automatically reconnect to enterprise networks and resynchronize data even after initial erasure, creating a potential security risk if the device is intended for resale. Prior to the development of Autopilot Detection, identifying these enrollments often required manually powering on devices and inspecting them individually—an approach that slowed processing and introduced the risk of human error.

Automating Detection During the Erasure Process
Blancco Autopilot Detection was developed to automate this process. Integrated within the company’s flagship Blancco Drive Eraser software, the feature programmatically identifies and flags devices enrolled in UEM systems during the erasure workflow. This allows ITAD providers to detect potential risks in a single automated step rather than through manual inspection.

Industry trends highlight the significance of this challenge. Microsoft operating systems account for more than 70% of the global desktop OS market, and a substantial share of devices processed by ITAD providers are enrolled in enterprise management systems. By automating detection, Blancco’s technology reduces labor requirements, improves processing accuracy, and helps organizations protect sensitive data.

The operational benefits are measurable. Blancco reports that the automated detection process can reduce device processing time to roughly 2.5 minutes per asset, representing a significant improvement over previous manual workflows. For ITAD providers handling thousands of devices per week, this efficiency gain can shorten the time to bring refurbished devices back to market while reducing operational risk.

Continuing Product Expansion
Since the launch of Autopilot Detection, Blancco has continued expanding its capabilities. In 2025, the company acquired Key Deploy from Blair Technology Group and integrated it into its software platform as Blancco Asset Reimaging, allowing ITAD providers to reinstall the Windows operating system on sanitized devices as part of the preparation process for resale.

Blancco has also broadened its device support across the Apple ecosystem. Its erasure technology now supports Apple Watch®, AirPods®, iPhone®, iPad®, Mac® computers, and related accessories, reflecting the growing demand for secure processing of used consumer electronics entering secondary markets.

Together, these developments illustrate how Blancco continues to refine the infrastructure supporting the circular IT economy, helping enterprises protect data while extending the useful life of millions of devices worldwide.

Blancco won a Gold Stevie® Award for Technical Innovation of the Year – Information Technology in the 2025 Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence.

Interested in entering for 2026?

Seven winners of a public vote for favorite organizations honored with crystal People’s Choice Stevie Award trophies.

The Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world’s premier business awards programs, announced winners of seven People’s Choice Stevie® Award trophies in the 13th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the only awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies, a long-time feature of several Stevie Awards programs, was introduced to the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards in 2023. All nominees in the Company/Organization categories in the 2026 competition were automatically included in voting for the People’s Choice Awards. Voting was conducted from 16 February through 13 March, with the highest number of votes determining the winners in several industry categories. More than 35,000 votes were cast this year by members of the general public worldwide.

Each People’s Choice winner received at least 100 votes, the minimum number required to be eligible to win.

The winners of the 2026 People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies are:

Business Products & Services: Just Right Parking Co., Ltd., Taiwan

Education: Megaworld Foundation, Inc., the Philippines

Healthcare Industries: SANAME, Australia

Startups: Garasi Travel (PT GARA Indonesia Group), Indonesia

Tech Startups: Deegenics Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka

Technology Industries: ASRock Inc., Taiwan

All Other Industries: Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department, the Philippines

These honorees will receive crystal People’s Choice Stevie Award trophies.

The 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards have recognized organizations in 23 markets, including Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam. More than 1,000 nominations about innovative achievements were considered by the judges this year.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners in various categories were announced on 12 February. Those awards were determined by the average scores of more than 250 executives worldwide acting as judges. Five Grand (“best of show”) Stevie Award winners were announced on 24 February.

Winners in attendance will be celebrated on stage during a gala event at the Venetian Hotel in Macau, China, on Friday, 17 April.

The 2027 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards will begin accepting nominations this October. Sign up to get the entry kit at https://Asia.StevieAwards.com.

Founded in 2017 as a home-based venture on a cattle station in regional Australia, Little Windmill Clothing Co. began with a simple idea: create practical, sun-safe clothing suited to rural life.

Established during Founder Katie Eslick's maternity leave, the business initially focused on cotton children’s wear inspired by a Western aesthetic. What started as a small creative project quickly gained traction among parents seeking durable, stylish alternatives to mainstream children’s fashion.

By 2020, demand had grown enough for the company to formalize its own label and original designs. In its early years, operating around the demands of a young family, Katie steadily expanded production and distribution.

Today, Little Windmill operates two retail shopfronts, a warehouse facility, and employs eight staff members. The product range has broadened to include unisex adult apparel, accessories, footwear, baby items, and curated gift hampers featuring products from other local businesses.

A defining feature of the brand has been its emphasis on quality and durability. The company reports a return rate of under five percent, significantly below broader apparel industry averages. Its clothing is designed for longevity, with customers frequently citing fit and fabric durability as distinguishing characteristics. Ethical sourcing and careful material selection are core to its operating model, reflecting a deliberate move away from fast-fashion production cycles.

Growth has been steady and measurable. Retail sales have risen substantially since the company’s first year. Online sales now account for approximately 80% of total revenue, with website visits continuing to increase annually. Wholesale expansion has also played a role, with more than 22 wholesalers stocking the brand, including partners in the United States. The company regularly participates in trade events such as Rockhampton’s Beef Week to maintain in-person engagement with customers.

Beyond financial performance, the business remains closely tied to its regional roots. It supports local events, school fundraisers, and community initiatives, and has created retail and customer service jobs in rural areas. While its online presence drives most sales, its physical stores continue to serve as community gathering points.

From its beginnings on a cattle station to its current national and international reach, Little Windmill illustrates how a niche concept, grounded in authenticity and operational focus, can evolve into a scalable enterprise.

Little Windmill won a Gold Stevie Award for Small Retail Company of the Year, and two Bronze Stevies for Company of the Year- Consumer Products - Durables - Small and for Startup of the Year - Consumer Products Industries in The 2025 International Business Awards®.

Interested in entering for 2026?

Top Business Honors to Accept Final Nominations Through April 7

The Stevie® Awards, organizer of The American Business Awards®, announced today that the final entry deadline for the 24th annual competition has been extended through April 7. No additional late fees will be charged. Entries submitted through the new deadline will not be penalized in any way in the judging process.

“We’ve received so many requests for individual deadline extensions that we’ve decided to extend the deadline for everyone,” said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. The original final deadline was March 4.

The American Business Awards are widely considered to be the premier business awards program in the U.S.A. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations— public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large, and small. The 2026 awards will honor achievements since the beginning of 2024. Entry details are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

The American Business Awards recognize achievement in every facet of the workplace.

Categories include:

Achievement Categories

AI Categories (New for 2026)

App Categories

Company / Organization Categories

Achievement in Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, & Public Relations Categories

Creative Categories (New for 2026)

Customer Service Categories

Entrepreneur Categories

Event Categories

Human Resources Categories

Achievement in Management Categories

Achievement in Marketing Categories

New Product & Product Management Categories

Podcast Categories

Publication Categories

Social Media Categories

Support Categories

Sustainability Categories

Technology Categories

Thought Leadership Categories

Video Categories

Web Achievement Categories

More than 200 professionals nationwide will participate in the judging process through mid-April. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners will be announced on April 24 and celebrated during a ceremony in New York City on June 9.

Every new product or service nominated in The 2026 American Business Awards will automatically be included in voting for the People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite New Products, an annual feature of the ABAs in which the general public votes for their favorite new products. Voting will open on April 27.

The list of past Stevie Award winners in The American Business Awards reads like a who’s who of innovation and business success in the U.S.A. Explore the list of last year’s winners.

More than 300 representatives of Stevie-winning organizations, jury members, and sponsors will attend the 20th annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City this Thursday, March 5.

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world's top honors for achievement in business development, customer service, and sales.  All organizations and individuals worldwide are eligible to submit nominations in a wide variety of categories.

More than 2,100 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 41 nations and territories, were considered in this year's competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of 150 professionals worldwide on eight specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in more than 100 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; more than 70 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; more than 20 categories for AI in sales and customer service including Customer Service AI Trainer or Specialist of the Year, AI & Tech-Focused Customer Service Team of the Year, Best Use of AI Integration in Contact Centers, and Sales AI Trainer or Specialist of the Year; and categories to recognize new products, services, and solution providers. 

Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners were announced in January.

Here is the list is the list of organizations that will be represented at Thursday's event.

Abdulla Fouad for Medical Supplies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Achievers Solutions Inc, Toronto,  ON Canada
ACT - Advanced Call Center Technologies, Berwyn, PA USA
Aires, Pittsburgh, PA USA
Alaska Communications, Anchorage, AK USA
Allstate Identity Protection, Scottsdale, AZ USA
American Airlines, Phoenix, AZ USA
Ametros, Wilmington, MA USA
Banco Do Brasil S/A., Brasília, Brazil
Blackhawk Network, Pleasanton, CA USA
Blue Ocean Contact Centers, Halifax, NS Canada
Boston Globe Media, Boston, MA USA
CNP Seguros Holding Brasil, Distrito Federal DF, Brazil
Community First Health Plans, Inc., San Antonio, TX USA
Congruity HR, Winston-Salem, NC USA
Cornerstone OnDemand, Santa Monica, CA USA
Cotiviti Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA
CXAI, Mississauga, ON Canada
DataCore Software Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA
DMA - Digital Made Accessible, São Paulo, SP  Brazil
Dow Jones & Company, New York, NY USA
e.Republic, Folsom, CA USA
Element Fleet Management, Toronto, ON Canada
Elevance Health - Anthem, Indianapolis, IN USA
eMoney Advisor, Radnor, PA USA
EXL, New York, NY USA
EY, London, United Kingdom
Golden Hour Veterinary Telemedicine, Spring, TX USA
GS1 Global Office, Brussels, Belgium
Guusto, Vancouver, BC Canada
Heavy Construction Systems Specialists, Sugar Land, TX USA
Hilton Grand Vacations, Orlando, FL USA
HireVue, Herriman, UT USA
Huntress, Columbia, MD, USA
IBM, Armonk, NY USA
Ignite Selling, Inc., Asheville, NC USA
Infrascale, Raleigh, NC USA
Inktel Contact Center Solutions, Miami, FL USA
Ironclad, San Francisco, CA USA
ISN Software Corporation, Dallas, TX, USA
Judi Health | Capital Rx, New York, NY USA
Kneat Solutions, Limerick, Ireland
Kobie, St. Petersburg, FL USA
Lantern, Dallas, TX USA
LG Electronics, Englewood Cliffs, NJ USA
LifeStation, Union, NJ USA
L'Occitane En Provence, New York, NY USA
LTIMindtree Limited, Mumbai, India
MetTel, New York, NY USA
National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, Alexandria, VA USA
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
PassportCard Europe GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Percepta, Allen Park, MI USA
Petronect - Procurement Negocios SA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Phenom, Ambler, PA USA
Planet Labs, San Francisco, CA USA
Policygenius, Topeka, KS USA
QNB Turkiye, İstanbul, Türkiye
Quest, Austin, TX USA
QuidelOrtho, San Diego, CA USA
ResultsCX, Norristown, PA USA
Revenue Storm Corporation, Schaumburg, IL USA
SalesboxAI, New York, NY USA
SAP, Newtown Square, PA USA
Second Nature AI, Covina, CA USA
Siam Kubota Corporation, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Snappy, New York, NY USA
SoftPro, Raleigh, NC USA
StoneX Group Inc., New York, NY USA
SYL Grup, Istanbul, Türkiye
TATA Consultancy Services Limited, Edison, NJ USA
TATA Consultancy Services, Iselin, NJ USA
TechSee, Edison, NJ
TTEC, Austin, TX USA
UnitedHealthCare Provider Service Operations, Minneapolis, MN USA
UPMC Health Plan, Pittsburgh, PA USA
ValuseSelling Associates, Rancho Santa Fe, CA USA
Vertisystem (A MOURI Tech Company), Fremont, CA, USA
Voya Financial, Gilbert, AZ USA
VXI Global Solutions, Los Angeles, CA USA
WebCE Dallas, TX USA
Western and Southern Financial Group, Cincinnati, OH USA
Window Nation, Fulton, MD USA
Wipro Ltd., Nodia, Uttar Pradesh, India
WP Engine, Austin, TX USA
ZT SYSTEMS, Secaucus, NJ USA

Entries for the 2027 edition of the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service will open later this summer.  Join the mailing list to get the entry kit as soon as its available.