Awards Programs

NAA's Top Employers

This awards program identifies member organizations that encourage employee engagement and performance and foster collaborative and innovative work environments. It pays tribute to the employees and their hard work, which directly contributes to the success of suppliers, management companies and the entire rental housing industry. The much-anticipated announcement of the 2025 winners was made on March 13, 2025.

If you would like to be contacted to submit a nomination in the future, please sign up to be notified.

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NAA Excellence Awards

Each year, NAA's Excellence Awards, or Excels, recognize excellence and leadership in the rental housing industry. Excels celebrate communities, industry professionals, and affiliated apartment associations who make unique contributions to the industry. For the winners, receiving an Excels award represents milestones and outstanding achievement. Individuals and companies can enter from five award categories to be selected for an NAA Excellence Award. Learn more about the 2025 Excellence Awards winners.

If you would like to be contacted to apply in the future, please sign up to be notified.

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20 on the Rise

NAA’s 20 on the Rise celebrates the brightest rising stars with 10 years or less experience in the rental housing industry. These industrious career builders have already made great professional achievements in their careers and have the potential to go far. 

If you would like to be contacted to apply in the future, please sign up to be notified.

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NAA Malcolm N. Bennett Advocacy365 Advocate of the Year Award

“If you don't get involved in issues that affect you, then you have no right to complain." — Malcolm Bennett, 2014 Advocate of the Year.

NAA Government Affairs will recognize the U.S. rental housing industry’s top advocate this fall.  All those that are actively affiliated with NAA and the rental housing industry are eligible to win this major award which honors one individual's outstanding contributions to industry advocacy at the local, state and national levels.

Whether by meeting with your elected officials, sending a letter or making a phone call to your members of Congress, grassroots advocacy is vital to NAA’s political efforts.

The Advocacy365 Advocate of the Year will be announced at the Assembly of Delegates meeting in November and the winner featured in a subsequent issue of units Magazine. 

Minimum Criteria - Federal

• Attend the NAA Advocate Conference
• Participate in Lobby Day
• Attend two of the following: town hall meeting, tele-town hall meeting, meet with your members of Congress during a constituent work week or the August congressional recess, or conduct a property tour with your members of Congress
• Take action on a legislative action alert by conducting a business call, or sending an email, letter or fax to your representative or senator

Minimum Criteria - State/Local

• Attend two of the following: a city council, county board of supervisors or state legislature committee meeting
• Participate in a State Legislative Day event; take action on a local or state issue by calling or sending an email, letter or fax to your city or county councilman or state legislator

Above and Beyond Criteria

• Recruit two industry members to Lobby Day meetings or during a constituent work week or August congressional recess
• Author a published op-ed or letter to the editor on a local, state or federal industry issue
• Speak on behalf of the industry at a town hall meeting or local meeting.

You may nominate yourself or someone you know. Announcements about deadlines and how to submit nominations will be distributed through communications channels, such as Affiliate Update and Apartment Advocate Pro. For more nomination information, send an email to Advocacy@naahq.org. Paid staff of the National Apartment Association and any NAA affiliated organization are not eligible.

NAA Hall of Fame

Recognizing Outstanding Leadership in the Rental Housing Industry

The Hall of Fame Award is the highest honor bestowed upon individuals who have made a lasting and significant impact within the rental housing industry. This prestigious recognition is reserved for leaders who exemplify exceptional qualities and set the standard for excellence in our field.

Nominees must demonstrate a sustained history of impactful leadership at the National Apartment Association and in the rental housing industry. Their work should have advanced the industry, influenced policy, and improved the well-being of residents and communities. The candidate's initiatives must reflect a commitment to progress and long-term success.

The individual should be recognized not only for their leadership within their organization but also for their ability to inspire, mentor, and develop future leaders. A Hall of Fame inductee is someone who generously shares knowledge, guides others, and fosters an environment of continuous learning and professional growth.

The award honors those who are innovators, consistently bringing new ideas and solutions to the challenges facing multi-family housing. Nominees are champions of the industry, actively promoting its benefits to the public, advocating for its advancement, and driving positive change through creative and strategic thinking.

The Hall of Fame Award celebrates individuals who represent the very best in leadership, innovation, and mentorship. Their legacy serves as an inspiration to current and future professionals, ensuring the continued growth and success of the rental housing industry.

Criteria

Eligible candidates must be a former or current member of NAA and a current or former owner/manager from the rental housing industry.

For more information or questions, please contact Leanne Shroeder.

The deadline to submit a nomination is March 31st, 2026.

Submit a Nomination