Your best work deserves recognition.
The PRSA/NWPA Niagara Awards recognize outstanding public relations and
marketing/communications work across Northwestern Pennsylvania and the
professionals behind it.
Awards honor programs and projects that demonstrate professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness, supported by sound research, planning, execution and evaluation.
A Best of Show Award is presented to the entry that stands out among the year’s
winners.
If you have any questions about the awards, contact us at prsanwpa@gmail.com.
Entry Information
Projects completed in 2025 or 2026 that have not previously been submitted for Niagara Award consideration are eligible to enter.
Choose the category that best fits your program or project. Judges cannot transfer entries between categories, and entries submitted in an incorrect category may be disqualified.
Think your work fits more than one category? You may enter it in multiple categories. Consider the objectives and target audiences when choosing the best fit. A separate entry form and entry fee are required for each category entered.
All entries are judged by PR professionals outside the Erie region.
Entry fees are payable in the amount of:
$30 per entry for PRSA members and students
$50 per entry for non-members
Payment can be made securely by credit card after submitting your entry.
What happens next?
You’ll receive an email confirming receipt of your entry. Finalists will also be notified by email after judging is complete, using the email address provided on the entry form.
Winners will be notified before the Niagara Awards Reception on November 19, 2026.
Award Categories
1. Community Relations
Programs or projects that seek to win the support or cooperation of, or improve relations with, people or organizations in communities in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity. “Community” in this category refers to a specific geographic location or locations. Campaigns designed to promote products should be entered in Marketing/Advertising.
2. Special Events and Observances
Events or observances designed to engage an audience, support communications objectives or build awareness around an organization, initiative or occasion. Entries may include commemorations, openings, celebrations or other special activities.
3. Public Service and Public Affairs
Programs or projects that advance public understanding of a societal issue, problem or concern or are designed to influence public policy, legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies at the local, state or federal level. Includes print, TV, radio or social media public service announcements (PSAs).
4. Marketing/Advertising
Programs or projects designed to introduce, promote or build awareness of products, services, organizations or brands among consumer or business audiences. Includes corresponding print, TV, radio, digital or social media campaigns.
5. Crisis Communications/Reputation Management
Programs or projects undertaken to enhance, promote or improve an organization’s reputation in response to an event, issue or market occurrence that has had or may have an extraordinary impact on its reputation.
6. Internal Communications
Programs or projects targeted specifically to groups directly allied with an organization (e.g., employees, members, affiliated dealers or franchises).
7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Any type of program (e.g., institutional, marketing, special events or community relations projects) supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
8. Integrated Communications
Programs or projects that creatively and effectively integrate public relations strategies and tactics with other marketing communications. Entries should demonstrate how the strategies and tactics worked together to achieve communications objectives and deliver measurable results.
9. Digital and Social Media
Creative and effective use of digital platforms or social media to achieve communications or marketing objectives. Entries may include websites, apps, digital experiences, social media campaigns, podcasts or other digital communications. Entries should demonstrate the intended audience, objectives and measurable results.
10. Media Relations and Earned Media
Media relations efforts that generate earned media coverage of an organization, brand, product, service, strategy or initiative. Entries may include individual feature stories or broader media relations efforts that secure earned media coverage and demonstrate impact on communications objectives.
11. Publications (Print or Digital)
Any publication used for public relations or marketing in print or digital formats. Examples include, but are not limited to, internal or external newsletters, magazines, annual reports, brochures and direct mail/direct response.
12. Video Content
Video content created to inform, engage or entertain an audience and achieve communications or marketing objectives. Entries may include brand storytelling, social media video, promotional or marketing videos and broadcast or streaming content. Entries should demonstrate the intended audience, objectives, creative execution and results.
