Annual Awards for Communications Excellence

A newly formed ESOP member company (within five years of launch) will earn this award for demonstrating excellence in introducing and communicating its transition to employee ownership. The top submission will showcase an inspired event or process and a clear, thoughtful, and employee-centered communication strategy that helps employees understand not only what an ESOP is, but why the transition matters and how ownership connects to long-term value, culture, and shared success. 

Judges will look for a unique event or announcement which includes communication efforts that clearly explain the ESOP model in accessible, plain language—tailored to diverse audiences and learning styles—so employees at all levels could understand the structure, mechanics, and purpose of employee ownership. Strong entries will demonstrate how complex concepts were translated into meaningful, relevant information. 

Submissions should also highlight how the company communicated wealth creation and ownership value, including how an ESOP builds long-term financial security, links individual and company performance, and reinforces the responsibilities and benefits of being an owner. Effective storytelling, real-world examples, leadership messaging, educational tools and a “fun” inspirational experience will be viewed favorably. 

Judges will consider the extent to which communication was two-way and responsive, including the use of feedback mechanisms such as surveys, Q&A sessions, listening tours, focus groups, or ongoing dialogue. High-scoring entries will show how employee feedback was actively gathered, analyzed, and incorporated into updated messaging, education, or communication tactics over time. 

Finally, this award honors ESOP transition communications that were strategic, transparent, and trust-building, helping employees move from awareness to understanding to engagement as employee owners. The strongest entries will demonstrate clarity, consistency, and adaptability, laying a strong foundation for long-term ownership culture. 

2. Best Overall ESOP Education Award

An ESOP member company that delivers a comprehensive, intentional, and well executed approach to employee owner education across the full lifecycle of ownership will receive this award. Judges will review how the organization equips employee owners with the knowledge they need—from their initial introduction to employee ownership through long-term participation and, ultimately, retirement and distribution decisions. 

Judges will look for evidence of strong foundational education, including information on the ESOP on the company website, in the job posting, clear and engaging onboarding materials that introduce new employees to what an ESOP is, how it works, and what it means to be an employee owner as well as ongoing education that runs the life-cycle of employee ownership. Effective entries will demonstrate how ownership concepts are integrated early and reinforced consistently.   

Submissions should also highlight ongoing ESOP and financial literacy education, evidence of how employee owners deepen their understanding over time. This may include education on company performance, valuation basics, statements and account growth, vesting, diversification, distribution options, timelines, and planning for life after the ESOP, and, if available, education for the spouse/family of the employee owner. Judges will value programs that address diverse learning styles, career stages, and levels of financial familiarity. 

Overall, this award honors ESOP education programs that are holistic, inclusive (meaning all employee owners have equal access to education, including having educational content translated into additional languages, if needed), and sustained, reinforcing ownership understanding at every stage of employment and fostering informed, engaged, and empowered employee owners throughout the life-cycle of ownership. 

Judges will reward bonus points for use of educational resources provided by The ESOP Association. 

3. Best Overall Employee Ownership Month (EOM) celebration Award

This award will commend an ESOP member company that delivered an engaging, inclusive, and meaningful EOM celebration that strengthened understanding, pride, and participation among employee owners. Judges will look for a thoughtful, well-executed approach that effectively celebrates employee ownership across the organization. 

Successful submissions will show how the company created multiple opportunities for participation, ensuring that employee owners at all levels, locations, and roles could engage in ways that were accessible, relevant, and motivating. 

Strong entries will clearly illustrate how the celebration reflected and reinforced the company’s unique ownership culture, values, and purpose. This may include storytelling, leadership involvement, peer recognition, education about the ESOP, and creative activities that connect daily work to long-term ownership outcomes. 

Judges will also evaluate how the organization measured engagement and impact, such as participation rates, feedback, surveys, attendance, or other indicators that demonstrate reach and effectiveness. Entries should explain how insights from these measurements were used to assess success or inform future Employee Ownership Month efforts. 

Employee Ownership Month (EOM) celebrations that involve ESOPATHON engagement and participation will receive favorable consideration. 

Overall, this award honors ESOP companies that create a celebration that is inclusive, educational, measurable, and deeply rooted in the spirit of employee ownership. 

4. Best Stock Price Reveal Award

An ESOP member company will receive this award by showcasing how they developed a stock price announcement into a meaningful ownership experience. The winning entry will illustrate how the organization used the stock price reveal—regardless of increase or decrease—to engage employee owners, reinforce transparency, and deepen understanding of the connection between daily work and long-term value. 

Judges will look for clarity and effectiveness across all communications, including how well messages are tailored to diverse audiences, roles, and learning styles. Strong entries will show how complex ESOP concepts are translated into clear, meaningful, and actionable information that employee owners understand and trust. 

Submissions should demonstrate high levels of employee engagement, highlighting how communications invite participation, dialogue, and shared ownership—rather than simply delivering information. Judges will value programs that foster connection, understanding, and pride among employee owners at all levels of the organization. 

Creativity and execution are key components of this award. Submissions should highlight the effective use of multiple communication channels and media, such as in-person meetings, video, digital platforms, print materials, storytelling, and interactive experiences. Judges will look for originality, quality, and consistency across formats. 

Finally, this award honors programs that demonstrate measurable results, including quantitative and qualitative metrics such as participation, engagement, understanding, feedback, and behavior change. The strongest entries will clearly show how outcomes were measured and how insights were used to strengthen the overall culture and communication. 

Overall, the Best ESOP Culture and Communication Award celebrates member ESOPs that deliver communications that are strategic, creative, measurable, and deeply rooted in company culture and the principles of employee ownership.