Categories

These are the categories for the 2025 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Types of Categories

Sales
   Sales Partnerships Ethics in Sales Award
   Sales Individuals
   Sales Team
   Sales Achievement
   Sales Distinction
Customer Service & Contact Center
   Customer Service & Contact Center Individual
   Customer Service & Contact Center Team
   Customer Service & Contact Center Achievement
   Customer Service Department
   Customer Service Success
Business Development
Solutions & Implementations (new for 2025)
Solution Provider
Thought Leadership

You may submit any number of entries to any of the following categories. Make sure you get an Entry Kit containing instructions on how to write and submit your entries.

SALES PARTNERSHIPS ETHICS IN SALES AWARD

We invite your organization to submit a nomination for the 2025 Sales Partnerships Ethics in Sales Award. This award is sponsored by Sales Partnerships, one of the world's leading contract sales organizations. There are no entry or late fees for this award.
   To nominate, complete and submit this form by no later than Friday, February 28. In addition to the required essay of up to 600 words you have the option to submit up to three (3) supporting files and up to three (3) web page or file links, to support the claims made in your nomination.
   Nominations for the Ethics in Sales Award will be reviewed and rated by Sales Partnerships. The results will be reported to nominees in mid-March. One Gold Stevie winner will be chosen from among all nominations. Other nominations may be accorded Silver or Bronze Stevie medals, depending on their ratings.
   Questions about this sponsored award? Contact Fred Kessler of Sales Partnerships, or call the Stevie Awards office at +1 703-547-8389.

SALES INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

The sales individual categories recognize individual sales professionals. Entry fees have been eliminated for many of these categories, but the $55/entry late fee will still apply to them after November 20, 2024.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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.

These categories are sponsored by

Information required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated individual's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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 nominee's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

1. Senior Sales Executive of the Year
Recognizing senior sales executives with titles such as Chief Sales Officer. This category may also be used to recognize senior corporate executives for their role in driving sales achievements.

2. Worldwide Sales Executive of the Year
Recognizing sales executives with responsibility for sales performance on a global level.

3. National Sales Executive of the Year
The entry fee has been eliminated for this category for 2025.
Recognizing sales executives with responsibility for sales performance on a national level.

4. Sales Director of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of sales directors at organizations of any size, of any type.

5. Sales Manager of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of sales managers and sales professionals with a managerial role at organizations of any size, of any type.

6. Sales Operations Professional of the Year
Recognizing sales executives and sales professionals with a managerial role for their achievements in managing sales organizations that run effectively, efficiently and in support of business strategies and objectives.

7. Sales Training or Education Professional of the Year
Recognizing sales executives and sales professionals with a managerial role who manage, design, or deliver sales training or education in any aspect of work life.

8. Sales Representative of the Year
The entry fees for the Sales Representative of the Year categories have been eliminated for 2025.
Recognizing individual sales representatives for their personal contributions to organizations’ sales results. This category is split into four separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes sales representatives in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Other Service Industries: recognizes sales representatives in services industries such as financial services, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   c. Technology Industries: recognizes sales representatives in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   d. All Other Industries: recognizes sales representatives in all industries not covered by the other Sales Representative of the Year categories.

9. Sales Engineer of the Year
The entry fee has been eliminated for this category for 2025.
This category will recognize the achievements since the beginning of July 2022 of individual professionals who prepare and deliver technical presentations explaining products or services to existing and prospective customers; talk with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements; and plan and modify products to meet customer needs.

10. Sales Support Professional of the Year
This category will recognize the achievements since the beginning of July 2022 of individual professionals who provide administrative, logistical, or resource support to sales organizations.

11. Virtual and Pre-Sales Professional of the Year
The entry fee has been eliminated for this category for 2025.
This category will recognize the achievements since the beginning of July 2022 of individual professionals who offer remote sales and technology expertise to accelerate and enable sales with a global or national scope, or who work closely with sales, service, engineering, and technical support resources prior to a sale to ensure proposed deals include technical solutions that address customer needs.

12. Woman of the Year in Sales
Recognizing women in sales, at any level, for their achievements since the beginning of July 2022.

SALES TEAM CATEGORIES

The sales team categories recognize the members of individual teams within your overall sales department. For example, the team may service a particular customer segment or a single client, or may work in a particular sales territory.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated team's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated team: its history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the team's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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 team's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

19. Account Management Team of the Year
Recognizing the sales management team of a specific client account for their achievements.

20. Global Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams whose industry, client, or other focus has a global scope.

21. National Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams whose industry, client, or other focus has a national scope.

22. Government Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams whose charge is selling to government clients.

23. Field Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams that obtain the majority of their business out of the office at face-to-face meetings with clients.

24. Inside or Telesales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams that obtain the majority of their business by telephone.

25. Online Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams that obtain the majority of their business via online or social media.

26. Sales Support Team of the Year
Recognizing teams that provide administrative, logistical, or resource support to sales organizations. This category is split into four separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes sales support teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Other Service Industries: recognizes sales support teams in services industries such as financial services, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   c. Technology Industries: recognizes sales support teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   d. All Other Industries: recognizes sales support teams in all industries not covered by the other Sales Support Team of the Year categories.

27. Sales Operations Team of the Year
Recognizing teams that help sales organizations to run effectively, efficiently and in support of business strategies and objectives.

28. Virtual Technology Sales Enablement and Pre-sales Team of the Year
Recognizing teams that provide remote sales and technology expertise to accelerate and enable sales with a global or national scope.

29. Sales Management Team of the Year
Recognizing the leadership teams of sales organizations for their achievements.

SALES ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of July 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges. These might be planning documents, press clippings, work samples, photographs, video clips, etc.

30. Achievement in the Use of Data & Analytics in Sales
Recognizing sales organizations for their successful use of data and analytics tools to better identify, understand, communicate with, and respond to customers and prospects since the beginning of July 2022.

31. Achievement in the Digital Transformation of Sales Operations
Recognizing sales organizations for the successful digital transformation of their operations since the beginning of July 2022, to better meet their goals and the needs of their customers.

32. Achievement in Sales Automation
Recognizing sales organizations for their successful use of sales automation tools, since the beginning of July 2022, to enable their sales professionals to focus their time and energies on fewer mundane and repetitive tasks and more on relationship building and customer closing.

33. Achievement in Sales Documentation
Recognizing sales organizations for their development and use since the beginning of July 2022 of creative, innovative, eye-catching and attention grabbing tools such as pitch scripts, product decks, customer and case studies, battle cards, graphics, and white papers/research reports. With your nomination to this category be sure to include plenty of examples of the nominated work.

34. Achievement in Self-Service Sales
Recognizing sales organizations for successfully creating and running contactless or self-service buying processes.

35. Achievement in Value-based Selling Techniques
Recognizing sales organizations for their successful implementation of value-based selling techniques since the beginning of July 2022. In your nomination be sure to describe your organization's journey to your use of value-based sales processes and the before-and-after results of your transition.

36. Award for Innovation in Sales
Recognizing new ideas and developments within sales that enabled organizations to implement creative selling and business development strategies, since the beginning of July 2022, to win new customers and grow revenue. This category is split into four separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes innovation in sales in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Other Service Industries: recognizes innovation in sales in services industries such as financial services, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   c. Technology Industries: recognizes innovation in sales in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   d. All Other Industries: recognizes innovation in sales in all industries not covered by the other Award for Innovation in Sales categories.

37. Best Use of Technology in Sales
Honoring sales organizations for their innovative use of technology, such as artificial intelligence, to improve sales operations, drive sales growth, and/or improve customer satisfaction since the beginning of July 2022.

38. Demand Generation Program of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations (and their colleagues in marketing) for their demand generation programs.

39. Inbound Marketing Program of the Year
Recognizing marketing programs that rely on content generation, lead development, and prospect cultivation.

40. Outbound Marketing Program of the Year
Recognizing marketing programs that use advertising, promotions, public relations and sales.

41. Remote Sales Innovation of the Year
This category will recognize innovations in sales spurred by the need to sell remotely.

42. Sales Diversity and Inclusivity Initiative of the Year
Recognizing organizations for their work to make their sales forces more diverse and inclusive.

43. Sales Employer of the Year
This category will recognize how organizations have provided a supportive and rewarding work environment for sales professionals since the beginning of July 2022.

44. Sales Enablement Program of the Year
Recognizing organizations for their development and effective use of sales enablement information, content, and tools.

45. Sales Growth Achievement of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations for their improvements in sales growth - in revenue and/or units - since the beginning of July 2022, over the prior year.

46. Sales Incentive Program of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations for the design and effectiveness of their sales incentive programs.

47. Sales Meeting of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations for creativity and effectiveness in their sales meetings - live, hybrid, and virtual.

48. Sales Process of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations for their development and use of sales process methodologies.

49. Sales Recruitment Initiative of the Year
Recognizing organizations for their programs and initiatives to recruit new sales staff.

50. Sales Training or Coaching Program of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations for their development and use of sales training and coaching programs. This category is split into four separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes sales training or coaching programs in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Other Service Industries: recognizes sales training or coaching programs in services industries such as financial services, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   c. Technology Industries: recognizes sales training of coaching programs in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   d. All Other Industries: recognizes sales training or coaching programs in all industries not covered by the other Sales Training or Coaching Program of the Year categories.

51. Sales Turnaround of the Year
Recognizing sales organizations for improvements since July 1, 2022, over the prior year. Improvements in revenue, operations, and training will be considered in this category.

52. Social Selling Initiative of the Year
Recognizing organizations for their effective strategies to employ social media to enhance or increase sales.

SALES DISTINCTION CATEGORIES

The entry fees have been eliminated for the Sales Distinction categories for 2025. The $55/entry late fee will apply for submissions made after November 20, however.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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.

Rather than focus on the performance of a named sales department, these categories recognize sales-related achievements across your entire company or organization. You choose the successes you wish to highlight. They can be related to revenue growth, customer acquisition, lead development, training, enculturation of product knowledge, etc.

Information required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the organization's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

Optional (but highly recommended), Add supporting materials to your nomination. Provide any number of weblinks, and/or upload any number of files, that you believe will 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.

53a. Sales Distinction of the Year - Computer Hardware
53b. Sales Distinction of the Year - Computer Services
53c. Sales Distinction of the Year - Computer Software
53d. Sales Distinction of the Year - Consumer Products & Services
53e. Sales Distinction of the Year – Distribution & Transportation
53f. Sales Distinction of the Year - Financial Services
53g. Sales Distinction of the Year – Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Related Industries
53h. Sales Distinction of the Year – Hospitality & Tourism
53i. Sales Distinction of the Year - Industrial & Manufacturing
53j. Sales Distinction of the Year - Media & Entertainment
53k. Sales Distinction of the Year – Public Services & Education
53l. Sales Distinction of the Year - Services
53m. Sales Distinction of the Year - Telecommunications
53n. Sales Distinction of the Year – All Other Industries

CUSTOMER SERVICE & CONTACT CENTER INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

The customer service and contact center individual categories recognize individual contact center and customer service professionals.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated individual's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

55. Front-Line Customer Service Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of customer service professionals who directly engage customers. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of professionals in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in all industries not covered by the other Front-Line Customer Service Professional of the Year categories.

56. Back-Office Customer Service Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of customer service professionals who work behind the front lines of customer service organizations for their achievements since the beginning of July 2022. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of professionals in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in all industries not covered by the other Back-Office Customer Service Professional of the Year categories.

57. Young Customer Service Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of customer service professionals who at some point since July 1 2022 were under the age of 30. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of professionals in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of professionals in all industries not covered by the other Young Customer Service Professional of the Year categories.

58. Contact Center Leader of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of senior contact or call center executives for their achievements since the beginning of July 2022.

59. Contact Center Manager of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of contact or call center managers for their achievements since the beginning of July 2022.

60. Contact Center Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of non-executive professionals who work in a call or contact center.

61. Customer Service Leader of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of senior customer service and call center executives.

62. Customer Service Manager of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of customer service managers and service professionals with a managerial role at organizations of any size, of any type.

63. Customer Service Training Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of customer service or contact center center professionals for their achievements since the beginning of July 2022.

64. Woman of the Year in Customer Service
Recognizing women in customer service, at any level, for their achievements since the beginning of July 2022.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & CONTACT CENTER TEAM CATEGORIES

The customer service team categories recognize the members of individual teams within your overall customer service department or contact center organization. For example, the team may service a particular customer segment or a single client, or may work in a particular call center.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated team's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

65. Customer Service Team of the Year – Recovery Situation
Recognizing service teams who have demonstrated exceptional skill in recovering either an individual case or in rebuilding an underperforming service department. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of teams in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality& leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in all industries not covered by the other Customer Service Team of the Year - Recovery Situation categories.

66. Customer Service Complaints Team of the Year
Recognizing service teams whose primary focus is to address and resolve customer complaints. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of teams in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality& leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in all industries not covered by the other Customer Service Complaints Team of the Year categories.

67. Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year.
Recognizing service teams that directly engage customers. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of teams in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in all industries not covered by the other Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year categories.

68. Back Office Customer Service Team of the Year
Recognizing teams that provide service functions that do not directly engage customers, such as billing, credit and collections, payments, security and support services. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of teams in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in all industries not covered by the other Back-Office Customer Service Team of the Year categories.

69. Contact Center of the Year (Up to 100 Seats)
Recognizing call and contact centers that have no more than 100 seats. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of contact centers in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in all industries not covered by the other Contact Center of the Year (Up to 100 Seats) categories.

70. Contact Center of the Year (Over 100 Seats)
Recognizing call and contact centers that have more than 100 seats. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of contact centers in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of contact centers in all industries not covered by the other Contact Center of the Year (Over 100 Seats) categories.

71. Customer Service Management Team of the Year
Recognizing the leadership teams of customer service organizations and contact centers for their achievements.

72. Customer Service Training Team of the Year - External
Recognizing teams that develop curricula and deliver training to external customer service organizations and contact center personnel (at organizations other than their own). This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of team in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in all industries not covered by the other Customer Service Training Team of the Year categories.

73. Customer Service Training Team of the Year - Internal
Recognizing teams that develop curricula and deliver training to internal customer service organizations and contact center personnel (within their own organizations). This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes the achievements of team in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in services industries such as healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   d. Technology Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievements of teams in all industries not covered by the other Customer Service Training Team of the Year categories.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & CONTACT CENTER ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

74. Achievement in Customer Experience
Recognizing organizations for their improvement of the overall customer experience in order to retain existing customers, gain more loyal ones, and mitigate churn. Approaches to improving customer experience might include the use of customer surveys, personalized product and service recommendations, dynamic website experiences, and segmented customer messaging, among other tools.

75. Achievement in Customer Service Automation
Recognizing customer service organizations for their successful development and implementation since the beginning of July 2022 of digital-first customer service experiences.

76. Achievement in the Use of Data & Analytics in Customer Service
Recognizing customer service organizations for their successful use of data and analytics tools to better predict, respond to, track, and satisfy customer needs since the beginning of July 2022.

77. Award for Innovation in Customer Service
Recognizing new ideas and developments within customer service that enabled organizations to meet the needs of their customers more effectively, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Computer Industries: recognizes achievement in the internet/new media, computer hardware, computer software, computer services, etc. industries.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes achievement in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievement in all service industries except for financial services.
   d. Telecommunications Industries: recognize achievement in all telecommunications industries.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievement in all industries that are not covered by one of the other Award for Innovation in Customer Service categories.

78. Best Customer Engagement Initiative
Recognizing customer engagement initiatives since July 1, 2022 that created a positive customer experience that has maintained or increased customer loyalty.

79. Best Customer Feedback Strategy
Recognizing customer feedback strategies that led to an improvement in customer satisfaction and performance since July 1 2022. Include in your nomination a discussion of how easy it is for customers to provide feedback and how you close the feedback loop.

80. Best Customer Satisfaction Strategy
Recognizing strategies that measurably improved customer satisfaction ratings since July 1 2022. Include in your nomination a discussion of your strategic plan designed to leave a legacy, after implementation, of a new relationship between your organization and its customers.

81. Best Return on Customer Service Investment
This category is open to any organization that made an investment in customer service and has realized a quantifiable return on investment since July 1 2022. Investment could be in process redesign, strategy, training, human resources, hardware or software. Include in your nomination evidence of measurable return applied specifically to the activity which the investment enabled, as well as secondary benefits (other than financial) which were a direct outcome of the investment.

82. Best Use of Customer Insight
Recogizing organizations for their successful use of customer insight to gain competitive advantage. Include in your nomination detail about the strategy that drove the customer insight as well as the expected outcomes and the actual results of your use of customer insight.

83. Best Use of Technology in Customer Service
Recognizing customer service and contact center organizations for their use of technology, such as artificial intelligence, that has directly improved customer service delivery, provided real business benefits, and shown system adoption across the entire customer service function. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Computer Industries: recognizes achievement in the internet/new media, computer hardware, computer software, computer services, etc. industries.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes achievement in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievement in all service industries except for financial services.
   d. Telecommunications Industries: recognize achievement in all telecommunications industries.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievement in all industries that are not covered by one of the other Best Use of Technology in Customer Service categories.

84. Customer Service Employer of the Year
This category will recognize how organizations have provided a supportive and rewarding work environment for customer service professionals since the beginning of July 2022.

85. Customer Service Training or Coaching Program of the Year
Recognizing customer service organizations for their development and use of training and coaching programs. This category is split into four separate categories:
   a. Business Services Industries: recognizes training or coaching programs in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
   b. Other Service Industries: recognizes training or coaching programs in services industries such as financial services, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
   c. Technology Industries: recognizes training of coaching programs in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
   d. All Other Industries: recognizes training or coaching programs in all industries not covered by the other Customer Service Training or Coaching Program of the Year categories.

86. Best Use of Omnichannel in Customer Service (new category for 2025)
Recognizing organizations for meeting customer expectations across multiple platforms. Successful nominees in this category have mastered the art of seamlessly connecting various touchpoints, both digital and physical, to provide a cohesive customer journey. This category is split into five separate categories:
   a. Computer Industries: recognizes achievement in the internet/new media, computer hardware, computer software, computer services, etc. industries.
   b. Financial Services Industries: recognizes achievement in the accounting, banking, financial services, insurance, etc. industries.
   c. Other Service Industries: recognizes achievement in all service industries except for financial services.
   d. Telecommunications Industries: recognize achievement in all telecommunications industries.
   e. All Other Industries: recognizes achievement in all industries that are not covered by one of the other e-Commerce Customer Service Award categories.

87. Customer Service Transformation Award (new category for 2025)
Recogizing organizations for their improvements in customer service performance since July 1, 2022, over prior periods. Include in your nomination detail to quantify the performance improvement, based on your KPIs and any other indicators you measure.

CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CATEGORIES

In addition to the possibility of receiving a peer-reviewed honor in these categories, all nominated customer service departments that are chosen Stevie winners also will be included in voting for the People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Customer Service. Online voting will open to the public worldwide from early to late March. We will provide Finalists in these categories with tools to help you encourage your fans, followers and customers to vote for you. The nominee with the most votes in each category will receive a special crystal People's Choice Stevie Award (100 votes minimum required to win.).

The customer service department categories recognize everyone who works formally in customer service in your organization, regardless of their role or location.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated department's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated department: its history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the department's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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 department's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

88. Customer Service Department of the Year – Airlines, Distribution & Transportation
89. Customer Service Department of the Year – Computer Hardware
90. Customer Service Department of the Year – Computer Software. This category is split into two separate categories:
   a. At Organizations With Up to 100 Employees
   b. At Organizations With 100 or More Employees
91. Customer Service Department of the Year – Computer Services
92. Customer Service Department of the Year - Consumer Products & Services
93. Customer Service Department of the Year – Financial Services. This category is split into two separate categories:
   a. At Organizations With Up to 100 Employees
   b. At Organizations With 100 or More Employees
94. Customer Service Department of the Year – Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Related Industries
95. Customer Service Department of the Year – Leisure & Tourism
96. Customer Service Department of the Year – Public Services & Education
97. Customer Service Department of the Year – Retail
98. Customer Service Department of the Year – Telecommunications
99. Customer Service Department of the Year – All Other Industries

CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCCESS CATEGORIES

If your organization doesn't have a formal customer service function - if "everyone here works in customer service" is your motto - then these are the categories for you. If your organization has a formal customer service function, don't enter these categories - enter the Customer Service Department categories instead.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Reaffirm here that your organization is qualified to enter these categories, by first stating: "Our organization does not have a formal customer service function." Then outline the organization's achievements since July 1, 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

140. Customer Service Success - Business Service Industries
141. Customer Service Success - Financial Service Industries
142. Customer Service Success - Other Service Industries
143. Customer Service Success - Technology Industries
144. Customer Service Success - All Other Industries

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CATEGORIES

These categories recognize the achievements of individual business development professionals, and singular business development achievements in a variety of industries. "Business development" incorporates the creation and mining of partnerships, alliances, deals and agreements that don't directly produce sales, but instead create platforms from which sales may be pursued.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated individual's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated individual or organization: history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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 nominee's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

150. Business Development Executive of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of business development executives since July 1, 2022. (Professionals at the VP level or higher.)

151. Business Development Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of non-executive business development professionals since July 1, 2022. (Professionals at a Director level or lower.)

152. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Financial Services Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - in any of the financial services industries since July 1, 2022.

153. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Hospitality & Leisure Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - in any of the hospitality and leisure industries since July 1, 2022.

154. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Media & Entertainment Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - in any of the media and entertainment industries since July 1, 2022.

155. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Services Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - in any of the services industries (business or consumer) since July 1, 2022.

156. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Technology Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - in any of the technology industries since July 1, 2022.

157. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Transportation Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - in any of the transportation industries since July 1, 2022.

158. Business Development Achievement of the Year - All Other Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - since July 1, 2022 in any industry not addressed by categories 152 - 157.

SOLUTIONS & IMPLEMENTATIONS CATEGORIES

Newly added categories for 2025.
These categories recognize sales, business development, contact center, and customer service-related products, services, and implementations since July 1 2022.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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.

The first in each pair of categories is for product or service solutions issued since the beginning of July 2022. Both new and new-version solutions may be nominated. The second in each pair of categories is for implementations of those solutions or of custom solutions.
If you are the producer of a new or new-version solution, you'll want to nominate it in the first category of the pair. If you're the end user of a solution and want to nominate your implementation of it, you'll want to nominate in the second category of the pair.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2025 competition include

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated solution or implementation since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. If you are nominating a brand-new product, state the date on which it was released. If you are nominating a new version of an existing product, state the date on which the update was released. If you are nominating an implementation, state the date on which the implementation was completed. Required
b. Describe the features, functions, and benefits of the nominated product, service, or implementation (up to 350 words). Required
c. For the nomination of a product or service, outline the market performance, critical reception, and customer satisfaction with the product or service to date. State monetary or unit sales figures to date, if possible, and how they compare to expectations or past performance. Provide links to laudatory product or service reviews. Include some customer testimonials, if applicable. (up to 350 words). Required
For the nomination of an implementation, outline the need or problem that was identified, why the solution was chosen, how the solution was implemented, and the results of your implementation to date (up to 350 words). 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 250 words). Optional

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, or images, for example.

100. Business Intelligence Solution – New or New Version
101. Business Intelligence Solution – Implementation
102. Collaboration Solution – New or New Version
103. Collaboration Solution– Implementation
104. Contact Center Solution – New or New Version
105. Contact Center Solution – Implementation
106. CRM Suite - New or New Version. For integrated CRM suites.
107. CRM Suite - Implementation. For integrated CRM suites.
108. Customer Experience Management Solution - New or New Version
109. Customer Experience Management Solution - Implementationn
110. Customer Support Solution - New or New Version
111. Customer Support Solution - Implementation
112. Incentive Management Solution – New or New Version
113. Incentive Management Solution – Implementation
114. IVR or Web Service Solution – New or New Version
115. IVR or Web Service Solution – Implementation
116. Marketing Solution – New or New Version
117. Marketing Solution – Implementation
118. Relationship Management Solution – New or New Version
119. Relationship Management Solution – Implementation
120. Sales Automation Solution – New or New Version
121. Sales Automation Solution – Implementation
122. Sales Enablement Solution – New or New Version
123. Sales Enablement Solution – Implementation
124. Sales Force Automation Solution - New or New Version
125. Sales Force Automation Solution - Implementation
126. Sales & Marketing Mobile Application – New or New Version
127. Sales & Marketing Mobile Application – Implementation
128. Sales Management Solution - New or New Version
129. Sales Management Solution - Implementation
130. Sales Performance Management Solution - New or New Version
131. Sales Performance Management Solution - Implementation
132. Sales Proposal Management Solution - New or New Version
133. Sales Proposal Management Solution - Implementation
134. Customer Service or Sales Book of the Year
   Attach an electronic version of your book to your online entry using the attachment/link uploading tool.
135. Customer Service Training Product of the Year
  Eligible products include DVDs, videos, courseware and workbooks, among others.
136. Sales Training Product of the Year
  Eligible products include DVDs, videos, courseware and workbooks, among others.

SOLUTION PROVIDER CATEGORIES

These categories recognize the achievements of solution providers for sales, contact center, and customer service professionals.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization's achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

166. Sales Consulting Practice of the Year
167. Sales Training Practice of the Year
168. Sales Outsourcing Provider of the Year
169. Incentive, Rewards, or Recognition Provider of the Year
170. Customer Service or Call Center Consulting Practice of the Year
171. Customer Service or Call Center Training Practice of the Year
172. Sales or Customer Service Solutions Technology Partner of the Year
173. Contact Center or Customer Service Outsourcing Provider of the Year
174. Leadership or Management Training Practice of the Year

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CATEGORIES

These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2022 of organizations that have taken active measures to develop themselves and their executives as thought leaders and promote their thought leadership to audiences inside and outside the organization.
Nominations that won in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2025 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 required for entries in these categories include:

Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization's thought leadership achievements since July 1 2022, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words). Required
b. Outline the organization's thought leadership achievements since the beginning of July 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words). 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's past performance (up to 250 words). 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 250 words). Optional

175. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Sales
176. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Complex Sales
177. Best Integration of Thought Leadership into the Sales Process. Describe in this nomination how your organization is using thought leadership to accelerate sales.
178. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Business Development
179. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Customer Service