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Rules and Scoring
Eligibility and Limitations
Eligibility
Any communications practitioner based in northern Nevada (Tonopah and north and east to the Utah border), the Tahoe Basin, or in the Truckee Meadows including north to Susanville, CA.
Program Eligibility
Any program or tactic developed by professionals based in the eligibility area above. Neither the program nor the tactic need to be executed within the state of Nevada or for the residents of Nevada.
Limitations
Program or strategy/tactic entries are allowed in multiple categories. Multi-year campaigns may not win awards in the same category two years in a row.
Timeframe
Programs and measurement must occur between July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Entry Formats and Submissions
Please combine all forms and supporting materials into one single PDF file (video or audio files should be included as a link to an online source like YouTube, Vimeo, TV news station website, etc.). Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please include the title of your entry in all file names.
Please label your file name in the following format: org_type_category_title of project
Submissions must include:
Submission summary (two-page maximum, to include):
- Research/Situation: Content and situational analysis to support the need for the program or tactic
- Planning: The measures taken to prepare for the program or tactic such as the:
- Audience: Who will the program or tactic communicate with
- Goal: A broad, aspirational statement of a desired, long-term outcome
- Objectives (SMART): Short-term, actionable steps that define how success is measured and are tied to results.
- Strategies: The long-term, high-level plan designed to achieve a specific goal or vision.
- Implementation: The details of how the program or tactic was used.
- Timeline
- Tactics: The specific activities conducted to reach the objective.
- Budget/Resources: The cost (hard costs and/or personnel, time, etc.) associated with the program or tactic
- Evaluation/Results: Measurement of the objective to actual outcome; use of resources
- Support materials and examples of work must be included in the submission PDF, but are not included in the 2-page maximum.
UPDATED 2026 SCORING GUIDELINES
Entry Fees and Payment
Please be advised that the PRSA Sierra Nevada board voted to gradually increase Silver Spike submission pricing in 2024 and 2025 to better align with similar-sized PRSA chapters and to offset increased Silver Spike Award costs. The PRSA Sierra Nevada Chapter is dedicated to recognizing and elevating our local professionals in the highest esteem. Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, contact interim VP of Recognition, Molly Ellery at [email protected].
PRSA Member
$60 for first entry, $25 for additional entries
Non-Member
$70 per entry
Non-Profits
$40 for first entry, $15 for additional entries
Scoring
An out-of-market PRSA chapter judges all submissions on a 100-point scale. A minimum of two judges from the reciprocal judging chapter per entry is required. If scores are more than 10 points apart, a third judge is needed. The third judge must be an APR.
Silver Spike: 90+ points
This level of entry must earn 90 points or higher to be eligible.
Bronze Spike: 84-89 points
This level of entry must earn between 84 and 89 points to be eligible.
Award of Excellence: 78-83 points
This level of entry must earn between 78 and 83 points to be eligible.
Best of Show
This level of entry earns the top score among all categories.
