The American Advertising Awards
2026 Buffalo American Advertising Awards
The 2026 Buffalo American Advertising Awards are now open! Both professionals and students can submit work starting Thursday, October 30th, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Entries close on Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Take advantage of our earliest submission window ever and discounts on entries.
The 2026 Buffalo American Advertising Awards show: GALAAA will take place on March 6th at The Statler. Attend our annual Jingle Bowl bowling event December 2nd at Manor Lanes for the full GALAAA theme reveal and further details on the upcoming show. Interested in being a GALAAA 2026 show night sponsor or a participating company in planning the show alongside Crowley Webb, Martin, dPost, Mower, Riveter and Luke Hallick II? Reach out to president@aafbuffalo.com.
Get The Recognition You Deserve
The American Advertising Awards is a competition where companies from across Buffalo are invited to submit work across a wide range of mediums. The competition typically attracts 25,000 entries every year. Yeah, it's pretty intense. This is always our biggest event as companies get together to celebrate all their hard work throughout the year.
Winners of the Buffalo competition have the opportunity to submit their work to the national competition for further recognition.
You do have to be a member to submit work, so might as well take advantage of the event discounts by joining now rather than later.
Show Specifics
Deadlines & Fees
Submission
Deadlines
Early Entry Deadline:
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025
On-Time Entries Deadline:
Friday, January 9th, 2026
Late Entries Deadline:
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
*These dates apply to both students and professionals
Professional
Rates
Early Single Entry: $84
Early Campaign Entry: $99
On-Time Single Entry: $95
On-Time Campaign Entry: $110
Late Single Entry: $135
Late Campaign Entry: $150
Student
Rates
On-Time Single and Campaign Entries: $35
Late Single and Campaign Entries: $45
*First student submission free with the “Entries for All” program.
Ready to Submit Your Work?
The platform automatically saves your progress, so you can come back anytime before the deadline. We recommend starting your entry by filling out the submission details – then upload your creative work when you're ready.
Questions?
If you run into any issues or need help please contact us at addyhelp@aafbuffalo.com.
Local Only Categories
Creative Use of Paper
This award celebrates creative work that makes standout use of advertising’s classic medium—paper. From custom envelopes to inventive packaging or displays, it honors craftsmanship in the most timeless form of communication.
CommUNITY Award for Inclusive Advertising
Being a good neighbor makes a great creator. This award recognizes advertising that addresses issues experienced by under-represented communities and gives voice to groups that have been stereotyped or ignored in media and by society,increasing viewers’ perceptions and understanding of multicultural communities.
*Please note, local-only categories are not eligible to forward to District or National competitions and valid for only professionals.
Entries for All Student Program
Students Submit For Free!
This year, we’re thrilled to bring back the “Entries for All” program, an initiative from Riveter Design. This fee-free entry program is designed to empower emerging advertising talent. Every local student is invited to submit their work for a chance to win an ADDY. Awards are presented live at the prestigious GALAAA Awards on March 6, in front of an audience of local students and industry professionals – a prime opportunity to showcase your talent and get noticed by leading local companies.
Students can use code EFA26 at checkout for up to one free submission.
What are the American Advertising Awards?
The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year in local AAF Ad Club competitions. The mission of the American Advertising Awards is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.
Conducted annually, AAF Buffalo hosts the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, all across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY awards – recognition as the very best in their markets. At the second tier, ADDY winners from Western New York compete against winners within the AAF District 2 which comprises chapters from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Winners at the district level are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards.
For students there is also a student division, which is a unique national awards program designed specially for college students. Work entered at the local level can advance to the regional and national judging, just like the work entered by professionals across the country.
To learn more about both the professional and student divisions of this competition please visit AAF National’s website.
Become an AAF Buffalo Member
Save Now
When you become a member of AAF Buffalo, you receive special discounts on all events throughout the season. Plus, "AAF Buffalo Member" looks pretty impressive on a resume.
When you become a member of AAF Buffalo, you receive special discounts on all events throughout the season. Plus, "AAF Buffalo Member" looks pretty impressive on a resume.