Nominations are now open for CAPIO’s annual special awards! 

CAPIO’s special recognitions are awarded annually to celebrate the work done by individuals who are shining in the government communications field.  These awards will be presented in person at our CAPIO 2026 Annual Conference in May at the Town and Country in San Diego during our EPIC Awards Dinner.   

About the Awards

Award nominations will be open through February 27.  When nominating, please review the judging criteria to ensure your nomination meets the requested qualifications.  Background information, supplemental material and letters of support are helpful when submitting a nomination. 

The Paul B. Clark Award

The award is presented to the individual who, in the judgment of the CAPIO Board of Directors, demonstrates exceptional leadership and career long achievement in the field through professional commitment, including the mentoring of others and fostering a greater understanding of the PIO function among colleagues, community and the media.  LEARN MORE | PAUL B. CLARK AWARD NOMINATION FORM

COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Communicator of the Year award will be presented to the individual who, in the judgment of the CAPIO Awards Committee and Board of Directors, demonstrates exceptional abilities, skills and talents in leading their organization to greater and more successful communications and public engagement.  LEARN MORE  | COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader Award

Established in 2017, the Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader award recognizes a Public Information Professional (or Team) who demonstrated extraordinary success in leading a team during a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or a reputational crisis during the prior calendar year.  CAPIO developed this award to recognize the men and women who lead teams during a crisis.  LEARN MORE | CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS LEADER NOMINATION FORM

RISING STAR Award

New in 2024, CAPIO has added a “Rising Star” award to our special award categories.  The Rising Star award will be presented to the individual who, in the judgment of the CAPIO Awards Committee and Board of Directors, demonstrates exceptional abilities, skills and talents in growing their skillset and contributing to the advancement of public engagement and outreach for a public agency in the first five years of their public communications career. LEARN MORE | RISING STAR NOMINATION FORM

DEADLINE – FEBRUARY 27