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ENTRY CRITERIA

Please enter campaigns and strategies that have been implemented between 1 April 2025 and 31 July 2026.

For the Place Brand of the Year category, we are also interested in the longer-term perspective, but with specific reference to developments in this time period.

Please note: The Place Brand of the Year and CNP Future Leader categories are for entry solely by a place organisation. All other categories can be entered by a place organisation or by a consultancy / agency working with a place.

HOW TO ENTER

Download the entry form for each category to help you draft your entry – you can share this with key stakeholders for comment and sign-off before entering.

1. Please ensure that you do not exceed the word count for each section of your entry.
   • For Best Citizen Engagement, all Best Communications Strategy categories, Best Use of Data, Best Use of Design, Best Placemaking Initiative, and Best Stakeholder Engagement, your entry will be divided into four sections: the challenge/background [200 words]; the strategy [300 words]; the implementation [300 words]; and the results [200 words].
   • For Place Brand Strategy of the Year, there is a greater word count: the challenge/background [200 words]; the strategy [500 words]; the implementation [500 words]; and the results [200 words].
   • For the City Nation Place Future Leader Award there are two sections: Opening Testimonial [100 words] and a Nomination section [400 words].
2. Decide on your supporting materials. You have the opportunity to include up to three pieces of supporting materials – links to videos, podcasts or web pages, video or audio files, photos, testimonials, or PDFs illustrating design etc. Please do not provide Wetransfer links to your supporting information as they may expire before the judging period.  If you are providing links to videos that require a password, please provide the password and ensure there is no expiry date.
   Please read our top tips for writing a winning entry to help you choose the right supporting materials. For the City Nation Place Future Leader Award you must upload a photo of the nominated individual.
   
   
3. When you are ready to enter, click on the ENTER NOW button shown across this website which will take you to the online entry platform. You will be asked to register your details, to copy and paste your written entry from your template, and to upload supporting materials. You will be asked to make payment for your entries to confirm submission but will be able to make amendments to your entries right up until the entry deadline.
   
   

Entry fees:

• For country branding committees, city and regional marketing boards, destination marketing agencies, investment promotion agencies, economic development boards, business improvement districts ,and other place-based organisations, there is an administration fee of £95 per entry.
• For advertising and marketing agencies, design and brand consultancies, research and design agencies, and specialist place branding consultancies, there is an administration fee of £175 per entry.
• VAT on all entries is included where applicable.
• You will be asked to pay by credit card. In exceptional circumstances, an invoice can be raised for payment by bank transfer.
• All entry fees must be paid by Thursday 10th September 2026.