Entry Process

Welcome to the 1st Annual CRN Best of the Channel Awards! These awards are being launched by CRN in conjunction with the Best of Breed conference  to shine a spotlight on the individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the channel over the last year. 

Award winners will be celebrated at the CRN Best of the Channel Awards Gala on October 14, 2025, in Atlanta, GA and published on CRN.com. The CRN Women of the Year Awards will honor applicants in both individual and company categories.

Please Note: Individuals or companies can enter multiple categories

Deadline:  All completed applications must be submitted by 11:55pm PST on May 13, 2025

Individual Categories

Best Channel Acheiver 
Best Channel Chief 
Best Channel Visionary
Best Emerging Leader
Best Solution Provider CEO

 

Company/Team Categories

Best AI Solution Provider
Best Solution Provider
Best Solution Provider Team
Best Channel Marketing Team
Best Channel Team
Best Vendor

Eligibility for Individual Awards

CRN Best of the Channel individual awards are open to those in channel leadership roles at a vendor's channel organization, a solution provider, a distributor or a company that is otherwise prominently involved in the IT channel ecosystem. People whose duties focus on the U.S., North America or have Global responsibilities are eligible to apply. 

If an applicant changes jobs after submitting an application, it is the applicant’s responsibility to update all relevant information within the online application system. Applicants must occupy their positions as of press time to be eligible.

Please Note: Individuals must submit a completed application via the online application system to be considered.

Eligibility for Company Awards

CRN Best of the Channe company awards are open to technology vendors, solution providers and distributors that conduct some portion of their business in the U.S. Technology vendors must work with an indirect channel of solution providers such as systems integrators, managed service providers, network integrators, VARs, resellers, agents or consultants to be eligible.

Please Note: Companies must submit a completed application via the online application system to be considered.

Methodology

The CRN Best of the Channel Awards are selected based on an evaluation of information provided during the open application period. An applicant’s individual standing within and contributions to the channel organizations at which they work and the channel at large will also be considered. Consideration is also given to the presence and impact companies have within the IT channel. Applicants must meet the requirements of our online application process to be considered. A panel of CRN editors and Channel Company staff will select a list of finalists for each category. A panel of judges comprised of CRN editors and members of the channel community at large will then assess the finalists and recommend the winners. Judges will not vote in any category in which they have a conflict of interest. In instances where a clear winner is not determined by the judges, a panel of CRN editors will make the final selections.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
 

• PASSION: The degree to which the applicant exemplifies dedication and genuine commitment to the award category
• IMPACT: The level of demonstrated meaningfulness to and effect of the applicant’s actions on individuals, companies or the channel at large
• SUPPORTING DATA & DETAILS: The extent to which provided facts, evidence or testimony create a compelling portrait of the applicant’s influence

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  Publication

Winners will be published online at CRN.com in October following the CRN Best of the Channel Awards Gala.

Application Requirements

All applications MUST be submitted electronically through this online application tool. Email applications will NOT be accepted. Applications with incomplete or insufficient responses may be disqualified. Application fees are non-refundable.

Applicants are encouraged to provide supplemental materials such as testimonials as part of the application process. For individual awards, a high-resolution business headshot is required, color photo preferred. For company awards, a high-resolution corporate logo is required. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Please Note: Do not disclose any information about yourself, your company or others (such as corporate financial data, personal health information) that should not be made public. *Information collected in this application could be published except as noted.*

Questions?

Please contact the following:

Carolyn Herr - cherr@thechannelcompany.com 

Amy Mullally - amullally@thechannelcompany.com