POMA’s Pinnacle Awards are the highest honor in outdoor communication - recognizing excellence in outdoor journalism, photography, broadcasting, magazine production and content creation across traditional and emerging media platforms. The awards are given during a ceremony at the organization's Summit.
Acceptable areas of coverage include, but are not limited to: how to, where to, travel, profiles, business, conservation, natural history, heritage, equipment, issues, investigative reporting and news.
Award categories are:
In categories 1-5, the traditional outdoor sports must be the focus.
Contestants are allowed two entries per category for a maximum of 16. Entries in excess of two per category per contestant will be disqualified. You do not need to remove your name from submissions. Co-entries must include the name of both contributors and will count toward the maximum for both contestants. Additions/changes to awards will not be made after judging has been finalized.
Multi-part submissions cannot be counted as one entry. Two-part articles/broadcasts, etc. must be submitted as two separate entries.
POMA Members in good standing may enter. If an individual media member who is employed by a current Corporate Partner enters, the individual is recognized, not the company.
All submissions require works to have been published (publication date), broadcast (aired date) or exhibited for payment between Nov. 1, 2024 and Oct. 31, 2025.
Book entries (excluding eBooks) may be delivered by mail. Only one copy is required. Please email Admin@ProfessionalOutdoorMedia.org for mailing address. Books must arrive before the final deadline. EBooks must be in PDF format. A gift copy may be sent to Admin@ProfessionalOutdoorMedia.org so judges can see final formatting.
Electronic submissions for all other categories are required, for ease of entry and judging. It will also provide verification that submissions are received.
Step 1: Fill out the digital submission form, found HERE.
Step 2: Upload your submission via Dropbox, HERE.
NOTES FOR UPLOADING YOUR ENTRY:
Uploaded entries must contain a copy of the published original as a Word or PDF attachment, or link to website.
Please name files as follows: Lastname_Firstname_Category (include 1 or 2 after the category, if making two submissions in the same category), and one or two key words from the title of the submission.
Examples:
Smith_John_MagazineArticle1_DeerHunting
Smith_John_MagazineArticle2_Grouse
Smith_John_Art_Elk-BuglingPhoto
Final Submission Deadline: Submitted by midnight Eastern February 28, 2026.
♦ Submissions are not returned.
♦ Receipt cannot be confirmed.
♦ Please send books with delivery confirmation (i.e. USPS, UPS).
♦ Request delivery receipt (if submitting via email) for proof of delivery.
*Multiple submissions may only receive one email acknowledgment.
♦ If uploading submissions, enter your email address to receive confirmation of upload. This is the most reliable way to ensure submissions are received.
By entering the Pinnacle Awards, winners give permission to reprint works in POMA Briefs and/or other POMA publications.
If you have questions, please contact us at Admin@ProfessionalOutdoorMedia.org.
Newspaper/Web:
Magazine Article:
Magazine Complete (Digital):
Magazine Complete (Print):
Book:
Broadcasting:
Art/Photography:
Wildlife Conservation:
Newspaper/Web:
Magazine Article:
Magazine Complete (Print):
Magazine Complete (Digital):
Book:
Broadcasting:
Art/Photography:
Wildlife Conservation: