IMMA Innovation Award
The IMMA Innovation Award honors a manager or community member whose leadership has driven an innovative effort that showcases what professionally managed communities can achieve. It highlights practical, high-impact innovations such as programs, processes, technologies, or partnerships that enhance community well-being, efficiency, resilience, or inclusivity and can serve as a model for others.
The award will be presented at the 2026 Annual Leadership Luncheon in Plainfield on Tuesday, September 8 by this year's Innovation Award Sponsor, Stone Municipal Group.
The winner will also be invited to share a case study to inspire replication across the IMMA network.
Eligibility
Eligibility
- Nominees may be managers or community members.
- The nominated effort must have been led, sponsored, or guided by a professionally managed community.
- Innovations should show measurable outcomes or clear evidence of impact, sustainability, and replicability.
What We Recognize
- Leadership in conceiving, championing, and implementing an innovative initiative.
- Clear benefits to the community, including improved services, cost savings, engagement, safety, environmental performance, or quality of life.
- Collaboration across stakeholders such as residents, staff, vendors, and agencies and strong governance practices.
- Potential for broader application across other professionally managed communities.
Submission Criteria
- Summary of the innovation and its objectives.
- Role of the nominee and leadership actions taken.
- Evidence of outcomes or impact (qualitative and or quantitative).
- Stakeholders involved and governance approach.
- Resources, timelines, and lessons learned.
- Supporting materials such as photos, metrics, testimonials, links.
Please submit your nominations by 4:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026.