2026 Gold Circle Awards - Overall Excellence Winner
Rebranding Campaign
California Association for Leading Innovation in Education
From CUE to CALIE
Project Description: After 45 years as CUE (Computer Using Educators), we recognized our name no longer reflected the educators we serve. Our goal was to remove barriers created by tool-centric language and create a brand that felt accessible, welcoming, and relevant. The transition to CALIE helped us reach more educators, grow membership, and better reflect the leadership and impact happening in schools and classrooms every day.
2026 Gold Circle Award Recipients
Advocacy Campaign
American Nurses Association
Nursing is a Professional Degree
Project Description: American Nurses Association (ANA) launched a targeted, multi-channel advocacy campaign to ensure that advanced practice nursing was recognized in the “professional degree” category in Department of Education rulemaking, resulting in an editorial reach of more than 5.94 billion, 1,940+ mentions, and 264,000+ actions taken by nurses and their supporters.
Convention/Meetings Marketing Campaign
Center to Advance Palliative Care
Build and Connect: Reintroducing the CAPC National Seminar After a Five-Year Hiatus
Project Description: After a five-year hiatus, the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) reintroduced its National Seminar through a multi-channel campaign emphasizing connection, inclusion, and intentional engagement. The conference sold out, exceeded revenue goals for the first time, and delivered exceptional satisfaction, reestablishing it as a must-attend convening for palliative care leaders.
E-Newsletter
The American Institute of Architects
AIA Access Member Newsletter
Project Description: AIA Access earned an ASAE Gold Circle Award for transforming a traditional member newsletter into a high-performing, member-first engagement platform. Its success came from clear, accessible design, personalized and actionable content, and sustained results that far exceeded industry benchmarks while deepening awareness of AIA benefits and strengthening member connection year-round.
Media/Public Relations Campaign
College of American Pathologists
Infectious Disease and Laboratory Readiness Media Briefings
Project Description: The College of American Pathologists (CAP) developed a proactive media relations campaign featuring a series of expert-led briefings on seasonal and emerging infectious disease threats and laboratory readiness. This initiative provided timely, pathology-led context to reporters nationwide, strengthening accurate coverage of public health risks and positioning CAP experts as trusted sources.
Membership Recruitment Campaign
Center to Advance Palliative Care
CAPC 2025 Membership Recruitment: Expanding Access to Improve Care
Program Description: The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) launched an integrated membership campaign that combined data-driven outreach with equity-focused strategies. The campaign exceeded growth and revenue goals, expanded participation among safety-net and rural hospitals, and strengthened CAPC’s national network, advancing access to high-quality palliative care.
Membership Retention Campaign
Finseca
Finseca Retention Strategy
Project Description: Finseca’s 2025 Member Retention Campaign transformed renewals into a scalable, enterprise-aligned growth engine by restructuring dues, embedding membership into firm operations, and deploying data-driven, lifecycle engagement—achieving an 87% renewal rate, exceeding revenue goals, and advancing conscious inclusion across a rapidly growing, diverse membership.
Member/Volunteer Engagement Campaign
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
Diversity Anesthesia Pathways Tour
Project Description: As a way for undergraduate nursing students to explore the profession of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists, the AANA launched the Diversity Anesthesia Pathways (DAP) Tour. CRNAs and nurse anesthesia residents hit the road and educated students about anesthesia and the benefits of becoming a CRNA.
Mobile App
Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®
Meeting Members Where They “R”: The NVAR Mobile App
Project Description: The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® App was launched to transform how the Association’s 13,000 real estate professionals access the tools, benefits, and support to help them succeed — wherever they are and whenever they need it. It simplifies the business of being a Realtor®, while reinforcing the value of membership.
New Product/Service Launch
American Society for Nondestructive Testing
ASNT's Freemium Membership Model
Project Description: ASNT redefined membership by launching a Freemium model that removed financial barriers and introduced flexible tiers for every member persona. The result was 21% membership growth, 80% new member acquisition, and increased diversity, proving that access-driven innovation can expand reach, engagement, and long-term sustainability.
Podcast
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
Grade 1 View Resident Podcast
Project Description: Grade 1 View is a biweekly audio podcast BY future CRNAs, FOR future CRNAs. Hosted by a team of current residents, Grade 1 View explores a variety of issues relevant to aspiring CRNAs / nurse anesthesiologists, from work-life balance to exam prep in a conversational and interview style format.
Publications
Missouri State Teachers Association
School & Community Digital Magazine
Project Description: School & Community is the Missouri State Teachers Association’s centuries-old magazine featuring member stories and association resources. Since going digital in late 2024, MSTA has been able to continue the legacy publication while enhancing storytelling abilities, saving thousands of dollars in printing costs, and gaining valuable readership insights.
Rebranding Campaign
California Association for Leading Innovation in Education
From CUE to CALIE
Project Description: After 45 years as CUE (Computer Using Educators), we recognized our name no longer reflected the educators we serve. Our goal was to remove barriers created by tool-centric language and create a brand that felt accessible, welcoming, and relevant. The transition to CALIE helped us reach more educators, grow membership, and better reflect the leadership and impact happening in schools and classrooms every day.
Sponsorship/Exhibits/Advertising Promotion
American Society of Landscape Architects
ASLA 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture: Integrated Industry Partner Growth Campaign
Project Description: ASLA's 2025 Conference Industry Partner Growth Campaign reimagined exhibitor and sponsor engagement by a continued shift from transactional sales to genuine partnership. Through a redesigned prospectus, targeted outreach, and a transparency-first approach, the campaign achieved record non-dues revenue, attracted 60 first-time exhibitors, and increased small-firm participation by 38%.
Video
California Association for Leading Innovation in Education
CALIE, THE NEXT FRONTIER
Project Description: When CALIE (formerly CUE) rebranded after 44 years, the biggest risk was losing the community that built it. Our launch video used archival imagery and motion graphics to frame the change as evolution, not replacement. Within four months, CALIE added 1,300 new members, a 65% increase, and doubled its link click target in five weeks.
Website
American College of Radiology®
acr.org Website Optimization
Project Description: The American College of Radiology® website represented a national medical association with a complex ecosystem and multiple stakeholder groups requiring a full-scale digital overhaul. By modernizing technology while removing organizational silos, ACR:
•Increased call-to-action responses +44%.
•Increased mobile transactions +61%.
•Reduced 6,500+ pages and 85+ navigation categories to a focused, member-centric 1,600 pages.