In the lead-up to the ASGA National Sign & Graphics Awards, one of the first tasks for our Awards Committee is to review and revise the Award Categories. This year, our panel of experts has recommended a number of changes, to give entrants more clarity and, in the case of our more popular categories, create more opportunity for recognition. Read on to find out more about what’s changed for 2026.

Fabrication – Large Pylon & Sky Signs

This category has always been one of the most popular, so this year it has been split into two to create more opportunities for recognition across the wide range of phylon signs and sky signs which are manufactured in-house from materials including metals, plastics, timber and more. For 2026, there will be one category for businesses which employ five people or fewer, and another for businesses which employ more than five people.

Installation

We have tightened up the definitions within this category to encourage signage installation businesses, as well as manufacture and install businesses, to submit entries.

Original In-House Design Concept 

This category has also been split into two, in recognition of the different types of businesses which design signage for our sector. From 2026, there will be one category for signage businesses which create design concepts in-house, and a separate category for design and architectural firms who do not manufacture signage, but design and create the concepts for signage projects.

Young Star Award

This important award has also been redefined, to make it clearer and to encourage the nomination of anyone who is new to our industry. Nominees can be in a training program, or learning on the job, as long as they have been in the industry for five years or less.

People’s Choice Award

Who better to judge the ‘best of the best’ than those involved in the sector themselves! The popular People’s Choice Award will this year move to an interactive ‘view and vote’ model, with eligible Award entries displayed at the Visual Impact Expo in Sydney in September. Visitors to the show will be able to cast their votes on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 September, ahead of the Gala Presentation Dinner, which will be held at the Sydney Showground on the evening of Thursday 3 September.

Training Innovation Award

To secure the future of our industry, training programs must not only be fit for today’s businesses…but must evolve and innovate for the future. The Training Innovation Award recognises progress in training programs, and has this year been opened to all training programs across the signage and graphics sector.

If you are planning to enter the Awards this year, we recommend you:

1. Check the Entry Categories carefully to make sure you select the most appropriate category for your entry
2. Read the Entry Criteria and Terms & Conditions and gather all the technical data, images and other information requested, to ensure your entry is complete, correct and compliant
3. Make sure that you disclose any works that were not done by your company, and include the details of any sub-contractors
4. Submit your entry well ahead of the Closing Date (5:00PM Wednesday 24 July 2026) remembering to take transmission times into account, as entries received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Good luck!