The National Apartment Association (NAA) offers award programs that recognize the very best individuals, companies, and organizations. It is our honor to recognize those who have excelled in the rental housing industry. Some of our programs have already started accepting applications for 2023, so review them below, mark your calendars for future open dates and pass along to colleagues or peers who might be interested.
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 2023 winners was made on May 16, 2023, view press release here.
If you would like to be notified when the next application period opens, please email [email protected].
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 six award categories to be selected for an NAA Excellence Award.
NAA is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Excellence Awards. Deadline to apply is Friday, December 15, 2023.
20 in their Twenties
NAA’s 20 in their Twenties celebrates the best and brightest in the rental housing industry. They are individuals who are 29 years or younger that have made great professional achievements in their careers and have the potential to go far.
NAA is currently accepting applications for the Class of 2024. Deadline to apply is Friday, December 15, 2023.
NAA Government Affairs' 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 [email protected]. Paid staff of the National Apartment Association and any NAA affiliated organization are not eligible.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The NAA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the contributions of our Supplier Partners and our Association Executives for their "long-term history of exemplary national service and accomplishments to the National Apartment Association and the rental housing industry. The criteria for nominations are exemplary service to NAA and the rental housing industry overall, above and beyond that of the normal member volunteer: length of time in the industry is not a determining factor but is a consideration.
Lifetime Achievement Award Application
Contact Leanne Shroeder for more information.
NAA Hall of Fame
The NAA Hall of Fame recognizes owner/managers from the rental housing industry for their long-term history of exemplary national service and accomplishments to the National Apartment Association and the rental housing industry.
If you know of an owner/manager who qualifies for this prestigious award, the Hall of Fame Committee is currently calling for nominations. Should a nominee be chosen, the recipient will be presented with his/her award in June during Apartmentalize.
Hall of Fame Nomination Application Form
For more information or questions, please contact Leanne Shroeder.