Nominations Open|Peer-nominated. No cost to nominate or be featured.|Close June 15, 2026

2026 Annual Awards · Albany, NY

The people
shaping New York
state policy,
recognized by
their peers.

The 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York awards recognize standout professionals in lobbying, public affairs, and policy strategy. Peer-nominated. Advisory-board reviewed. No cost to nominate or be featured.

Submit a Nomination →

Closes June 15, 2026

Lobbyists ✦ Legislative Staff ✦ Association Leaders ✦ Policy Strategists ✦ Rising Stars ✦ Communicators ✦ Longtime Legends ✦Lobbyists ✦ Legislative Staff ✦ Association Leaders ✦ Policy Strategists ✦ Rising Stars ✦ Communicators ✦ Longtime Legends ✦

Great work in government affairs often happens behind the scenes.
Not this time.

No cost to nominate or be featured

Seven Categories

One goal. Recognize the people who make New York work.

From veterans whose names are synonymous with Albany excellence to early-career operators already three steps ahead, these categories reflect the full spectrum of government affairs talent in New York.

01 · ASSOCIATION

Association Advocates of the Year

Recognizes someone who leads government affairs for a trade, professional, or statewide business association and does it with clarity, credibility, and results.

02 · VETERANS

Longtime Legends in Government Affairs

Honors the professionals whose decades of work have shaped New York government affairs. Trusted veterans, mentors, and dealmakers whose reputations are built on results, relationships, and respect.

03 · INTELLIGENCE

Policy Intelligence Leaders of the Year

Honors someone who redefines what it means to stay ahead. Recognizes the professional using every tool to surface what matters faster and make decisions with unmatched clarity.

04 · LOBBYISTS

Powerhouse Lobbyists of the Year

Recognizes a contract lobbyist whose work in New York government relations stands above the rest. Trusted by clients, legislators, and colleagues alike.

05 · EMERGING

Rising Stars of the Year

Honors an early-career professional whose presence, performance, and potential are impossible to ignore. Already operating like a seasoned pro.

06 · VOICE

Strategic Communicators of the Year

Recognizes someone whose message discipline, timing, and voice influence not just public opinion, but legislative outcomes in New York.

07 · BEHIND THE SCENES

Top Staffers of the Year

Recognizes a legislative staffer whose expertise, judgment, and hustle power a legislator's agenda from behind the scenes in Albany. These are the staffers who turn draft ideas into law and make the entire operation smarter, faster, and sharper. The member gets the credit but everyone in the building knows who made it happen.

The Process

Four steps. Three minutes. One nomination.

Peer-nominated, advisory-board reviewed. The strongest nominations include specific examples of impact, wins, relationships, and leadership.

STEP 01

Choose your nominee

Anyone doing government affairs work in New York qualifies: lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, communicators, and rising stars.

STEP 02

Pick the right category

One nomination per submission. You can submit as many as you like across categories.

STEP 03

Make your case

The more specific the examples of impact, wins, and leadership, the stronger the nomination.

STEP 04

Advisory board review

Winners are selected based on the strength and volume of nominations. Your words matter.

What Winners Receive

Recognition that travels through Albany and beyond.

A feature profile on the 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York webpage

A feature profile on the 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York webpage
A custom award badge and digital toolkit to share the win
Exclusive promotion to a network of 12,000+ policy professionals and media partners
Public recognition campaign across editorial and social channels
Recognition at a celebration event in New York later this year

Nominate Now

Tell us about someone who deserves it.

Nominations take about three minutes. You're welcome to submit more than one.

Eventcombo Form

Final selections are based on the strength and volume of nominations with advisory board review.

Advisory Board

Your nomination, reviewed by four who know Albany.

The 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York advisory board brings together a veteran lobbyist, a leading public affairs strategist, a former State Senator, and one of Albany's most respected reporters.

Kenneth
Zebrowski Jr.

Partner

Brown & Weinraub

Lisa
Hofflich

Partner

Bolton-St. Johns

David
Carlucci

Former NY State Senator

Carlucci Consulting

Brendan
Lyons

Investigations Editor

Times Union

Frequently Asked

Questions, answered.

Can I nominate myself?

Yes, you can. That said, peer nominations carry more weight during advisory board review. If you've done strong work, chances are someone who's worked with you will nominate you.

Can I nominate more than one person?

Absolutely. One nomination per submission, but you're welcome to submit as many as you like across as many categories as make sense.

What does it cost?

Nothing. There's no cost to nominate and no cost to be featured. This is peer recognition, not pay-to-play.

Who reviews the nominations?

An advisory board of four New York leaders: Kenneth Zebrowski Jr. (Brown & Weinraub), Lisa Hofflich (Bolton-St. Johns), David Carlucci (Carlucci Consulting), and Brendan Lyons (Times Union).

When will winners be announced?

Later this year, following the close of the New York legislative session. Winners will be notified as part of a public recognition campaign and celebrated at a New York event.

Someone you know deserves this.

Three minutes of your time recognizes a career of theirs. Submit your nomination before June 15.