Nominations Now Open for the 4th Annual Association Excellence Awards!
We’re excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 4th Annual Association Excellence Awards! These awards recognize the vital role associations play in advancing industries and professions, enhancing quality of life, and delivering impactful solutions that strengthen New Mexico.
Submit your nomination below and help shine a spotlight on excellence in our state. The nomination window closes on June 24! Don’t miss the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of New Mexico’s associations!
The Association Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate the impact of associations in advancing industries and professions, improving quality of life, and delivering solutions to strengthen New Mexico.
In our fourth year, the awards will be presented on Friday, August 15, and will celebrate the honorees and serve as the culmination of NMSAE’s work throughout the year in advancing the association profession.
The Association Excellence Awards includes eight categories, which are designed to recognize the impact of the work of associations and the breadth of their vision that is helping ensure that all New Mexicans have the tools, choices, and resources they need to thrive.
Four categories will honor the work of organizations and four categories will honor the work of individuals. Organizational categories include the Community Impact Award, the Industry Advancement Award, the Membership Engagement Award, and the Innovation Award. Categories recognizing individuals for their contributions to association profession include the Executive of the Year, the Staff Achievement Award, the Rising Star Award, and the Volunteer Leader Award.
Nominations open Sunday June 1 close Tuesday, June 26. A selection committee will review all nominations and make final award decisions.
Award winners will be unveiled and recognized at the Association Excellence Awards Celebration on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Sandia Golf Club Event Center.
To be eligible for an individual award, the recipient must be a current member in good standing. To be eligible for an organizational award, at least one member of the organization must be a current member in good standing.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Title Sponsor - $5,000
- Exhibitor booth opportunity
- Introduction by event emcee
- Opportunity to provide branded item
- Provide introductory remarks at the event
- Ten (10) complimentary registrations
- Opportunity for branded item at the event
- Premiere placement of logo on all marketing materials, sponsor screen and all awards.
Award Category Sponsor - $1,500
- On-stage presentation of award to recipient
- Logo on marketing materials, sponsor screen, and category award
- Recognition in award category finalist slide deck
- Opportunity to provide branded item
- Five (5) complimentary registrations
- Exhibitor booth opportunity
Award Categories
- Executive of the Year
- Staff Achievement
- Volunteer Leader
- Rising Star (SOLD)
- Industry Advancement
- Member Engagement
- Community Impact (SOLD)
- Innovation
If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact Jason at jespinoza.kw@gmail.com.
Award Categories
Community Impact Award
Recognizes an association for undertaking philanthropic programs or social responsibility initiatives.
Innovation Award
Recognizes an innovative program, initiative, membership campaign, or communications effort.
Industry Advancement Award
Recognizes an association for their exceptional work in advancing their industry or profession.
Membership Engagement Award
Recognizes an association for their outstanding work in member retention, recruitment, and engagement.
Executive of the Year
Recognizes an association executive who demonstrates exceptional qualities of leadership and displays a deep commitment to the association profession as a whole.
Category Sponsor: KW Consulting LLC
Staff Achievement Award
Recognizes an association professional who has made exceptional contributions to their association and demonstrates abilities for continued high levels of achievement in the association industry.
Rising Star Award
Recognizes an emerging association leader that makes significant contributions to their association, demonstrates a passion for professional development, and provides outstanding service to their membership.
Volunteer Leader Award
Recognizes an association board, committee member, or other volunteer that provided the most outstanding service to advance the mission of the association.
Special Awards
The Legacy Award
Recognizes an association professional who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the association profession.
All Together New Mexico
Recognizes an outstanding public-private partnership between an association and the public sector to provide solutions for New Mexico.
Category Sponsor: New Mexico True
Past Winners
Community Impact Award
Recognizes an association for undertaking philanthropic programs or social responsibility initiatives.
2022 - New Mexico Dental Association
2023 - New Mexico Resturant Association
2024 - New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
Innovation Award
Recognizes an innovative program, initiative, membership campaign, or communications effort.
2022 - New Mexico Restaurant Association
2023 - New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau
2024 - Mechanical Contractors and Sheet Metal Contractors Association of New Mexico
Industry Advancement Award
Recognizes an association for their exceptional work in advancing their industry or profession.
2023 - New Mexico Society of CPAs
2024 - AGC New Mexico
Membership Engagement Award
Recognizes an association for their outstanding work in member retention, recruitment, and engagement.
2023 - New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care
2024 - Greater Albuquerque Medical Association
Setting the Standard Award
Recognizes an association for their outstanding work in educating, promoting or setting the standard when it comes to creating a safe and quality workplace environment, service, or product.
2022 - Associated General Contractors New Mexico
Workforce Development Award
Recognizes an association for their exceptional work in developing, providing or supporting workforce development programs.
2022 - Associated Builders & Contractors - New Mexico Chapter
Executive of the Year
Recognizes an association executive who demonstrates exceptional qualities of leadership and displays a deep commitment to the association profession as a whole.
2022 - Alicia Borrego, New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children
2023 - Carla Kugler, Associated Builders & Contractors - New Mexico Chapter
2024 - Elizabeth Foster, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau
Staff Achievement Award
Recognizes an association professional who has made exceptional contributions to their association and demonstrates abilities for continued high levels of achievement in the association industry.
2022 - Pamela Blackwell, New Mexico Hospital Association
2023 - Nick Autio, New Mexico Medical Society
2024 - Christi Zimmerman, Associated Builders & Contractors - New Mexico Chapter
Rising Star Award
Recognizes an emerging association leader that makes significant contributions to their association, demonstrates a passion for professional development, and provides outstanding service to their membership.
2022 - Annie Jung, New Mexico Medical Society
2023 - Kerrie Cox Romero, New Mexico Council of Outfitters & Guides
2024 - Carrie Robin Brunder, New Mexico Medical Society & Public Charter Schools of New Mexico
Volunteer Leader Award
Recognizes an association board, committee member, or other volunteer that provided the most outstanding service to advance the mission of the association.
2022 - Vince Moffit, New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care
2023 - Jenny Ramirez, Associated General Contractors New Mexico
2024 - Martin Romine, New Mexico Association of School Business Officers
Special Awards
The Legacy Award
Recognizes an association professional who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the association profession.
2022 - Mike Bowen, New Mexico Mining Association
2023 - Dale Tinker, New Mexico Pharmacists Association
2024 - Joey G. Montano, New Mexico Association of School Business Officers
All Together New Mexico
Recognizes an outstanding public-private partnership between an association and the public sector to provide solutions for New Mexico.
2022 - New Mexico Safe Certified, NMSAE & NM Tourism Department
2023 - LevelUp!, Santa Fe Lodgers Association & NM Department of Workforce Solutions
2024 - Apprenticeship Program, NM Department of Workforce Solutions in partnership with AGC New Mexico, MCA-SMACNA of NM, and ABC New Mexico