GALAAA | 03.06.26 | THE STATLER | 6-10 PM

2026 Buffalo American Advertising Awards

Prom. Wrestling. Weddings. Religion.

The circus. Science. Murder mysteries. Meat.

Meat? Yes, meat. Look it up.

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When it comes to our award show themes – like advertising in general – it’s all been done.

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GALAAA 2026 glances back at the past years like a foggy, glitter-covered memory and cleaves it into something new, fresh and celebratory of the work we’ve all done that’s never been done.

Hosted by the clowns, queens and killer creatives at:

Stop Wrestling With Raw Meat

and submit the evil ideas you’re married to. (Or at least you’d take to prom.) Professionals and students alike are invited to submit 2025 projects that push boundaries, challenge expectations and reflect the spirit of “it’s all been done” by doing something new.

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Professional Rules and Categories ‍

Student Rules and Categories

Contact addyhelp@aafbuffalo.com with any questions and support.

Deadlines & Fees

Show Specifics

Submission
Deadlines

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

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.

Local Only Categories

‍Creative Use of Paper
From wrapping up your cold cuts to passing notes asking your crush to prom, paper isn’t dead yet. This award celebrates work that makes the old-school medium feel fresh, bold and unforgettable.
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CommUNITY Award for Inclusive Advertising
For the saints giving voice to underrepresented communities and putting in the werk to elevate multicultural storytelling.

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Note: Local-only categories are for professionals only and do not advance to District or National competitions.

Special Awards

Nominate by January 15

Levy-Osborn Award for Excellence in Communications

Named after Buffalo advertising great, this award celebrates an individual who said “I do” to excellence and has committed their talent to the WNY creative industry – ‘til death do us part.

Joe Crowley Award for Service

This award recognizes the person who has lifted AAF Buffalo higher than shoulder pads and Aqua Net ever could.

Future Star Award

This award honors a rising star who has stepped right up to tame wild ideas, juggle timelines and leave clients speechless.

Mosaic Award

This award goes to an individual, organization or company who keeps the campfire glowing – making sure diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging shine bright.

See the Killer Creative Submitted

And maybe a few that belong on the butcher block. Details to come on how you can investigate every piece of submitted work before show night.

Slip Into Your Finest Vestments

Or your fiercest heels and don’t forget something blue. Formal dress is encouraged on show night, but absurd is celebrated.

Show tickets will be available once the submission window closes, with full details on seating, pricing and event access to follow.

Two men smiling at a social event, one making a peace sign and the other holding a can of Labatt Blue Light beer.

Large audience seated and standing in an industrial-style event space with string lights and hanging decorations.

Woman in a blue sweater cheering and cupping hands around her mouth at an indoor event with seated audience.

People in formal and festive attire clapping and cheering indoors at a nighttime event with string lights overhead.

Confess Your Sins in the Showbook

Or show off your company’s killer creative. Full-, half- or quarter-page ads are available. Details and deadlines coming soon.

Lost in the woods?

We’ll help you find your way back to camp. Or at least the circus. Contact us at addyhelp@aafbuffalo.com.

Three women celebrating with confetti; one plays a toy guitar wearing neon green shutter shades, one wears blue light-up bunny ears and another in a sparkly black dress.

Become an AAF Buffalo Member

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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.