The Nation's Largest Creative Competition
2026 AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS
Date: February 26th, 2026 at The Walden Club
With over 40,000 entries annually, the American Advertising Awards represent the pinnacle of creative excellence. This is where bold ideas and innovative work come to compete on the industry’s biggest stage. By entering AAF Chattanooga’s local competition, you’re taking the first step toward earning national recognition with a prestigious ADDY® Award. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your work and inspire the industry.
Where: The Walden Club
633 Chestnut St. #2100
Chattanooga, TN 37450
Attire: Dress to the tens. Formal, gala-style attire.
Tickets Include: Gourmet dinner, award ceremony, and one drink ticket for professional ticket holders over 21+.
Ticket Prices:
- Professional Admission (21+): $85
- Includes entry, dinner and one drink ticket.
- Student/Educator Admission: $65
- Includes entry and dinner
- Includes entry and dinner
- Table for 8 Professionals: $650
PROFESSIONAL ENTRIES
STUDENT ENTRIES
2026 AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS
Official
Rules & Categories
Learn more about what categories are able to be submitted for + the official rules for entry!
If you’re not sure what category to submit for, feel free to reach out to us at hello@aafchattanooga.com
Nominate professionals for local awards
Please note that there is a $50 entry fee for nominations
The winners will be announced towards the end of February and given the award at the American Advertising Awards even
Nominate professionals for local awards
Marketing Director of the Year
Agency Account Executive of the Year
Please note that there is a $50 entry fee for nominations
The winners will be announced towards the end of February and given the award at the American Advertising Awards even
AAF Chattanooga exists to enrich and foster the well-being of our advertising community. We aim to nurture our network of advertising professionals, organizations, and students by sharing our ideas, expanding our knowledge, and celebrating our collective work together.
Past Events
10/9 AAFter Work Happy Hour @ Cherry Street Tavern
Come mingle with peers and beers, network and get to know your local advertising and marketing community from 5 to 7pm!
8/14 Maximizing Your Reach: Marketing for Non-Profits @ Lanewood Studio
Mark B. Moore came up from Huntsville to present some fantastic insights about marketing & outreach for non-profits based on his experience as a freelance designer and advertiser in the non-profit spaces for over 30 years!
7/10 AAFter Hours @ WanderLinger Brewing
Come mingle, network and get to know your local advertising and marketing community from 6 to 8pm!
5/16 A Hitchhiker's Guide to Digital Advertising in 2024 @ Oddstory Greenhouse
If you’re looking to understand what you should be expecting from video advertising and how to leverage analytics and reporting, then join us at Oddstory as we team up with Brkthru to talk all things video advertising in a cookieless world!
3/26 Empowering Change: Women Driving the Future of Advertising @ The Moxy Chattanooga
We’re celebrating Women’s History Month with an inspiring panel featuring 5 local leaders in our advertising and marketing community. Join us for a night of celebrating the impact women have in our industry, and how we can create meaningful change as we look towards the future.
Chattanooga was named the fastest growing city in Tennessee AND a top 10 metro for freelancers in 2022.
Lifestyle and Industry
When you combine amazing quality of life with top creative talent against the backdrop of Chattanooga's natural landscape, you get a high-performing community passionate about pushing the advertising industry forward in a beautiful place to call home.
Education Matters
A multitude of area colleges and universities provide industry-focused educations that nurture creativity and prepare students for success in marketing, advertising, and creative professions in Chattanooga and beyond.
Speed and Growth
Chattanooga's professional growth is due in part to some of the world’s fastest internet speeds, creating convenience for companies and individuals who rely on the fastest means of worldwide collaboration available, and who celebrate remote working lifestyles.
