These categories recognize organizations that have taken active measures to develop their executives and employees as thought leaders, and promote their thought leadership to audiences inside and outside the organization.

Nominations that won in the 2025 International Business Awards® may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include:

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated achievements since 1 January 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated organization or individual: its history and past performance (up to 1,500 characters) Required
b. Outline the achievements since the beginning of 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 1,900 characters). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization or individual's past performance (up to 1,900 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, work samples, internal or external reviews, or employee feedback, for example.

W01. Emerging Thought Leader of the Year (New for 2026)
Recognizes individuals at earlier stages of their careers (up to age 35) whose thought leadership since 1 January 2024 has had an outsized impact on their organization or industry.

Eligible nominees may include rising experts, managers, or specialists who have built a strong voice through publishing, speaking, research, podcasts, social media, or other channels. Nominations should describe the nominee’s area of expertise, key thought leadership outputs, audience reach, and evidence that their ideas have influenced internal or external stakeholders.
a. Business Products
b. Business Services
c. Consumer Products
d. Consumer Services
e. Government or Non-Profit

W02. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year
Recognizes the achievements since 1 January 2024 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created and performed anywhere in the world.
a. Business Products
b. Business Services
c. Consumer Products
d. Consumer Services
e. Government or Non-Profit

W03. Thought Leader of The Year
Recognizes the achievements since 1 January 2024 of individuals who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations.
a. Business Products
b. Business Services
c. Consumer Products
d. Consumer Services
e. Government or Non-Profit (there is no entry fee for this subcategory)

W04. Thought Leadership Organization of the Year (New for 2026)
Recognizes organizations that have made thought leadership a strategic priority since 1 January 2024 by systematically developing their experts, executives, and spokespeople and promoting their insights to internal and external audiences.
a. Business Products
b. Business Services
c. Consumer Products
d. Consumer Services
e. Government or Non-Profit