Note: Please read the following requirements carefully, as any entry that does not fully meet all requirements will be disqualified.
You do not have to be a NATJA Member to be eligible to submit to the NATJA Awards Competition. However, only current members in good standing are eligible for the discounted entry fee.
New applicants must be qualified, active media. To join NATJA, click here and fill out the application.
Deadline for all submissions: Extended to October 15, 2023. Mailed-in entries must be postmarked by this date. Digital submissions can be entered via email to awards@natja.org by October 15, 2023, 11:59pm Pacific Time. The Online Submission Portal will be open until October 30, 2023, 11:59pm Pacific Time.
All categories will be judged by a panel of individuals selected by NATJA. Judges are comprised of media and marketing professionals and faculty from the communication and journalism schools at Syracuse University, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and Southern Methodist University. The judging panel may select more than one award per category but reserves the right not to award in any given category.
In the event of errors, discrepancies, challenges, or other issues, the panel of judges and/or NATJA Advisory Board will have full rights and authority to make any appropriate decision, changes, or adjustments to entries, categories, or awards.
Whenever possible, NATJA will share with entrants, upon request, any notes provided by judges with regard to their entry. Comments are strictly at the discretion of judges.
Winners will be announced February 2024. The announcement of winners is circulated to all competition entrants, in addition to media outlets, NATJA members, and mailing lists. Award distribution will be at the sole discretion of the judging panel and/or the NATJA Advisory Board.
One extra point will be awarded to Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in the following categories:
The qualifying categories for Travel Journalist of the Year are 100 – 102, 120 – 128, 142, 160 – 161, and 301.
The qualifying categories for Photographer of the Year are 101, 140 – 141 and 150 – 155.
The qualifying categories for Destination of the Year are 200 – 202.
For Magazine of the Year, the publication must be submitted in category 300 – Travel Magazine to be considered. The qualifying categories for Magazine of the Year are 100 – 102, 120 – 128, 150 – 153, 161, and 300.