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 2026 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2027 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:
1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated individual’s achievements since July 1, 2024, 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 1,250 characters). Required
b. Outline the achievements since July 1, 2024, that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 1,500 characters). 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 1,500 characters). 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 1,500 characters). Optional
2. 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.
270. Business Development Executive of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of business development executives since July 1, 2024. (Professionals at the VP level or higher.)
271. Business Development Professional of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of non-executive business development professionals since July 1, 2024. (Professionals at a Director level or lower.)
272. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Digital Commerce Enablement
Recognizing initiatives since July 1, 2024, that expanded e-commerce reach and enabled new digital channels.
273. 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, 2024.
274. 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, 2024.
275. 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, 2024.
276. 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, 2024.
277. 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, 2024.
278. 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, 2024.
279. Business Development Achievement of the Year - Sustainability
Honoring initiatives since July 1, 2024 that combined commercial growth with environmental or social responsibility (e.g., ESG-aligned partnerships, sustainable sourcing deals, or purpose-driven market expansions).
280. Business Development Achievement of the Year - All Other Industries
Recognizing singular business development achievements - agreements, deals, implementations, and/or performance results - since July 1, 2024 in any industry not addressed by categories 272 - 279.