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2026 Call for Governors' Award Nominations

Board of Governors' Award / Citation Nomination Form

DEADLINE July 15, 2026 (11pm AZ)
Board of Governors’ Award:

The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Governors' Award is the highest award our chapter bestows upon an individual, group or organization within our region (Arizona, Utah, New Mexico or El Centro, CA). Historically, the Board of Governors' Award is for truly outstanding and unique achievements in the arts, sciences or management of television which is either of a cumulative nature or extraordinary and universal in nature as to be beyond the realm of the awards presented in the call for entries.

The Board of Governors calls for nominations each year and carefully reviews each submission. A selection panel then evaluates all nominees against the award's established criteria. The panel may choose to honor one nominee, multiple nominees, or no nominee at all if it determines that none meet the standards for recognition that year.

If selected, the Governors' Award will be presented at the Rocky Mountain Emmy® Awards Gala on November 7, 2026, in Phoenix. Each recipient receives one regional Emmy® statuette engraved with the name of the nominated organization, program, or individual being honored.

Past recipients have ranged from technical innovations to public service programs to remarkable individuals. We seek examples of excellence in broadcasting that go beyond those normally found in individual craft or program categories. For the list of past honorees please click here.
We will also consider awarding the Board of Governors’ Citation:

Recipients of this award fulfill the same requirements as the Board of Governors’ Award, but are recognized for accomplishments of a lesser degree. The award is given in recognition of outstanding and unique achievements or accomplishments by individuals, organizations, or companies (regional) that do not fall within the structure of the Chapter’s regular area awards. The honored recipient can be recognized for work done in the arts, sciences, or management of television or allied media. Contributions to the industry in the Chapter’s region should be an important consideration when determining Board of Governors’ Award recognition. Those who appear as an interview subject or expert in a given field do not qualify. A curved glass award would be presented.

What to Expect After Submission
All nominators will be notified of the status of their nomination by mid-to-late August.

If your nominee is selected for the Governors' Award or Governors' Citation, you will be asked to:

• Provide a brief (1–2 minute) video introducing the recipient for use during the presentation. Full production guidelines will be provided at that time.

• Identify a representative to accept the award on behalf of the recipient at the Rocky Mountain Emmy® Awards Gala on November 7, 2026, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, Arizona. For organizational or program recipients, we strongly encourage the acceptance and spokesperson role to be filled by a senior leader, executive, founder, board chair, or other individual closely associated with the vision, leadership, and impact of the organization or program. The designated representative will be invited to deliver brief acceptance remarks (1–2 minutes). If no representative is available to attend, a pre-recorded acceptance message (30–60 seconds) will be requested for inclusion in the show.

The selected recipient will receive two complimentary tickets to the Gala. Additional tickets and tables may be purchased separately.

Additional details, including ticketing information, production requirements, and deadlines, will be provided if your nominee is selected.

To nominate an individual, organization, or program for the Governors' Award or Citation please answer a few questions below.

DEADLINE: July 15, 2026 (11pm AZ)
1.In 500 words or fewer, explain why the organization / program or individual is deserving of the 2026 Governors' Award. Identify the specific accomplishment(s) for which you are nominating this program / person or team.(Required.)
2.Who does the accomplishment(s) of the program / organization or individual impact/benefit?
3.Why is this project / organization or individual important to our industry / community / region?
4.Has this person or effort been nominated or awarded the Governors' Award in the past? (if so what year?)
5.If selected, what is the official name of the organization, program, or individual that should be engraved on the RMSW Emmy® statuette?
6.If selected, who would serve as the representative accepting the award and speaking on behalf of the organization, program, or individual? Please provide their name, title, and email address.
7.Please add any supplemental video links here.
8.Supporting material such as quotes/letters of recommendation/metrics should be emailed to: JOToole@emmyonline.tv SUBJECT: ATTN: Governors' Award (nomination here) by July 15, 2026 (11pm AZ)
9.Contact info for Nominator (in case the committee has questions):
Please email Jessica O'Toole with questions: jotoole@emmyonline.tv