Our annual Society Awards Program honors the incredible achievements and stellar business professionals within the management community. Hosted this year in conjunction with the 2026 SAM International Management Conference. We invite you to nominate an outstanding member of the management community and recognize their achievements.

Each award has individual criteria for recognition and a nomination form. Please ensure you provide the award committee with all of the information requested by the deadline stipulated. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

MEMBER ONLY AWARDS

Member Only Awards

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 13, 2026

SAM Outstanding Student Award

Recognizing the hard work, growth and development of Collegiate Chapter members over the course of the year.

SAM Outstanding Advisor Award

Acknowledging the contributions and service to the Society, Chapter, and campus community.

Campus Chapter Performance Program

Rewarding the hard work and dedication of chapters who exemplify the principles of the Society.

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JANUARY 30, 2026

The Society established the International Awards Program to recognize excellence and accomplishment in the profession of management. International Awards are open for nomination of any qualified individual regardless of membership within the Society. The International Awards Program consists of The Taylor Key, The Gilbreth Medal, The Human Relations Award, The Logistics Management Award, and The Phil Carroll Advancement of Management Awards

The Taylor Key

Named after Frederick W. Taylor, the Taylor Key is the highest honor a non-society member can be awarded for contributions to the advancement of the art and science of management. The award, a tribute to Taylor and his pioneering work in developing a scientific approach for management problems, is designed to maintain an interest in Taylor’s fundamental contributions to modern management.

The Gilbreth Medal

Named after Frank B. and Lilliam M. Gilbreth the medal is an award presented or excellence in the field of motion, skill and fatigue study and whose outstanding contributions to these related fields have influenced greatly their appreciation in the performance of work.

The Human Relations Award

Recognizing the outstanding accomplishment in human relations this award was established in 1944 to further emphasize the prime importance of human relations in management. Designed to promote a greater appreciation by management educators, practitioners, and the general public, this award highlights the vital importance of sound human relations in society and the role of management in human issues.

The Logistics Management Award

This honor recognizes noteworthy achievement in the field of business logistics with a focus on materials management and technology. Designed to stimulate interest in management educators and practitioners in the continuing developments and applications concerning the science and practice of logistics management, this award also recognizes the contributions of those who have promoted or practiced substantially, the development of logistics management through their research, writings, or application of methods.

Advancement of Management Awards

Presented in recognition of outstanding recent contributions in specific management fields. In order to promote more rapid acceptance and application of innovations the Advanced Management Awards are awarded in the fields of Operations Management, Marketing Management, Product Management, Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Strategic Management, Management Information Systems, and Management Education.

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARDS

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2025

Social impact is inherently broad because the potential for positive change grows as society evolves. While many teams can trim costs or streamline processes, few can claim sustained influence on their communities, their industries and the world at large. As the oldest professional management organization in the world, SAM is proud to honor meaningful and sustainable social impact through eight distinct awards that celebrate leadership, innovation and collaboration.

On a blue pixelated gradient background, a white stylized figure holds up a trophy beside the SAM logo with an integrated arrow, and below it the words “Entrepreneur of the Year” appear in bold white lettering.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Established to recognize and honor entrepreneurs in the small and medium business sector. This award recognizes individuals who are imaginative, passionate, and exemplify excellence with the aim to inspire others to create and innovate entrepreneurial business ventures.

New Entrepreneur of the Year

Created to recognize that beginning a new venture has extraordinary challenges, this award recognizes individuals who are at the beginning of the entrepreneurial challenge. Designed to commend those who accept the call to bring imaginative, passionate ideas to life while exemplifying the spirit of entrepreneurship.

On a blue pixelated gradient background, a white stylized figure holds up a trophy beside the SAM logo with an integrated arrow, and below it the words “Employer of the Year” appear in bold white lettering.

Employer of the Year

Established to recognize organizations that create a supportive and stimulating environment for both their employee and their stakeholder communities.

On a blue pixelated gradient background, a white stylized figure holds up a trophy beside the SAM logo with an integrated arrow, and below it the words “Manager of the Year” appear in bold white lettering.

Manager of the Year

Many people are managers, but few truly meet the challenge with the necessary skills, determination, and drive to positively influence and motivate others to contribute meaningfully toward the efficient and effective accomplishment of established business goals. With the confidence to stand up for what is right, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen and adapt to meet the needs of their subordinates, being a manager is, at times, thankless.

On a blue pixelated gradient background, a white stylized figure holds up a trophy beside the white SAM logo with an integrated arrow, and below it the bold white text reads “Sustainable Non‑Profit of the Year.”

Sustainable Non-Profit Organization of the Year

All people and organizations have one thing in common: we are all on the same orb floating through space. This award recognizes the challenges non-profit organizations face in making business decisions to expand and promote sustainability in our world while inspiring others to initiate similar endeavors.

On a blue pixelated gradient background, a white stylized figure holds up a trophy beside the white SAM logo with an integrated arrow, and below it the bold white text reads “Sustainable Organization of the Year.”

Sustainable Organization of the Year

All organizations share one thing in common: we are all on the same orb floating through space. This award recognize the challenges that for-profit businesses and organizations have in making decisions that are shown to expand and promote sustainability within the world while inspiring others to initiate similar endeavors.

On a blue pixelated gradient background, a white stylized figure holds up a trophy beside the white SAM logo with an integrated arrow, and below it the bold white text reads “Resource Conservation Award.”

Resource Conservation Award

This award recognizes corporate resource conservation efforts and the ethical business values that embody the responsible planning, management, and deployment of resources. This includes creating shared values in the way that they conduct their business.

Chapter Community Impact Award

This award recognizes SAM Chapters who perform civic-focused initiatives that promote community and local service through projects, activities, and events. Chapters who effect positive change in their community, through acts of service, fundraising, mentoring, teaching, volunteerism, and leading or creating social initiatives are pillars of the community and their efforts tie back to SAM’s deep rooted historical values.