We are thrilled to welcome Chicago’s communications, marketing and public relations communities to the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards on Tuesday, October 6.
We have been working to make this year’s celebration feel special from the moment you arrive at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Before we gather, here are answers to some of the questions you may have about the evening.
Q: Where are the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards taking place?
A: The Publicity Club of Chicago will host the Golden Trumpet Awards at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, located at 151 E. Wacker Drive.
The ceremony will take place in the Crystal Ballroom, located in the hotel’s West Tower. That is important information to share with your rideshare driver or anyone dropping you off.
Q: What is the timeline for the evening?
A: Ask and you shall receive. Here is the general timeline:
- 3:30-5:00 p.m. Invitation-only Leadership Reception and 30 Under 30 Reception
- 5:30 p.m. Main Reception and Red-Carpet Arrival
- 6:00 p.m. Crystal Ballroom Doors Open
- 6:30 p.m. Awards Program Begins
- Approximately 9:00 p.m. Program Concludes
Additional arrival information will be shared with registered guests as the ceremony approaches. All times are subject to minor adjustments as the final program is completed.
Q: What are the Leadership Reception and 30 Under 30 Reception?
A: The Leadership Reception is an invitation-only gathering of Chicago’s communications, business and civic leaders.
The 30 Under 30 Reception is a special gathering celebrating this year’s class of rising communications stars, along with alums of past 30 Under 30 classes.
Both receptions will take place from 3:30-5:00 p.m. before the main Golden Trumpet Awards reception begins. Registration for these receptions is separate from registration for the awards ceremony.
Q: What does the 5:30 p.m. reception entail?
A: When guests arrive in the Hyatt Regency Chicago’s West Tower, they will enter the foyer outside the Crystal Ballroom. The reception will include beverages, conversation and opportunities to connect with members of Chicago’s communications community before the ballroom opens.
And, of course, there will be opportunities to step onto the red carpet and begin the evening in style.
Q: Wait, can you talk more about the Red-Carpet Arrival?
A: The Red-Carpet Arrival will give guests an opportunity to make an entrance and capture a memorable photo at the beginning of the evening.
Photo opportunities will continue throughout the celebration. We want individuals, teams and organizations to leave with images that help them remember, and share, their Golden Trumpet Awards experience.
Q: Does that mean I should dress as though I am attending the Oscars?
A: Dress to celebrate.
Festive cocktail attire is encouraged, and guests are invited to add their own touch of gold, sparkle or standout style. Some guests and onstage participants will choose gala-inspired looks to match the elegance of the Crystal Ballroom. Because this is a professional event taking place on a Tuesday evening, business formal is also entirely appropriate.
Wear whatever makes you feel ready to #ShineLikeGold.
Q: Who will guide us through the evening?
A: Glenn Eden and Dr. Suzet McKinney will serve as co-hosts of the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards.
Two highly respected civic leaders and communicators, Dr. McKinney and Eden will guide guests through an evening celebrating the outstanding professionals, organizations and campaigns shaping communications across the Midwest.
Q: What awards will be presented during the program?
A: The Golden Trumpet Awards recognize outstanding work in public relations, marketing and communications. Dozens of organizations will receive Gold and Silver Awards for campaigns and projects submitted to this year’s competition.
The evening will also recognize:
- WGN-TV’s Micah Materre with the Media Impact Award
- Michelle Flowers Welch with the Presidential Legacy Award
- Pete Wentz of APCO Worldwide with the Lifetime Achievement Award
- The 2026 class of 30 Under 30 honorees
- This year’s Platinum Award finalists and overall Platinum Award winner
The Platinum Award represents the best overall campaign entered in this year’s Golden Trumpet Awards competition.
Q: How will the organizational awards be presented?
A: Gold and Silver Award winners will be announced in category blocks.
Organizations may have winning entries in more than one category or program block. Our event team will help guide organizational representatives through the award and photography process once their awards have been announced.
Additional instructions will be shared with registered winners before the ceremony and will also be available from our volunteers that evening.
Q: If I have a winning entry, should I plan on making a speech?
A: Golden Trumpet entry winners will not give acceptance speeches. This allows us to recognize the large number of outstanding campaigns represented during the evening while keeping the program moving.
We will make sure to capture winning moments through professional photography.
Q: What about the recipients of the individual awards?
A: The recipients of the Media Impact Award, Presidential Legacy Award and Lifetime Achievement Award will each have a featured moment during the program.
The Platinum Award presentation and recognition of the 30 Under 30 class will also be special parts of the evening.
Q: What will be served for dinner?
A: Dinner will be served during the awards program, followed by dessert. We are finalizing the menu with the Hyatt Regency Chicago and will share additional details with registered guests before the ceremony.
Q: What beverages will be available?
A: Beverage service will be available during the reception. Additional beverage selections will accompany dinner in the Crystal Ballroom.
Final bar, wine, beer, cocktail and nonalcoholic beverage details will be shared once the menu has been confirmed.
Q: What if one of my guests or I have a dietary restriction?
A: Please send dietary restrictions and accommodation requests to office@publicity.org as soon as possible. Include the guest’s name and the organization or table with which the guest will be seated.
We will work with the Hyatt Regency Chicago to accommodate dietary needs submitted in advance.
Q: I purchased a table. When should I submit my guest names?
A: Sponsor and corporate table purchasers should begin sending their guest names to office@publicity.org.
Please include each guest’s name, email address and any dietary accommodations. If your complete guest list is not yet available, you may send the names you have now and provide the remaining information as it becomes available.
Q: If I purchase multiple tickets, will my guests be seated together?
A: Guests included in the same ticket purchase will generally be seated together.
If tickets are purchased separately but should be part of the same group, please send the names of the guests and the seating request to office@publicity.org. PCC will make every effort to accommodate seating requests, but specific placements cannot be guaranteed.
Q: How can I purchase tickets?
A: Tickets and sponsor tables may be purchased through the PCC website or through our one-click Golden Trumpet Awards registration page, which does not require a PCC website login.
PCC members receive special member pricing. Membership status will be verified for tickets purchased at the member rate.
Ticket sales will remain available based on capacity. We encourage guests to register soon rather than waiting until the final days before the ceremony.
Q: Does registration for the Leadership Reception or 30 Under 30 Reception include admission to the awards ceremony?
A: No. Registration for either pre-reception is separate from registration for the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards ceremony.
Guests attending a pre-reception who plan to remain for the ceremony must also have a ceremony ticket or be included at a registered table.
Q: I am interested in purchasing a program ad. Can you tell me more about that?
A: Absolutely. A ceremony program will be placed at each guest’s seat, giving organizations, supporters and friends of our honorees an opportunity to share a message with Chicago’s communications community.
Current program-ad rates are:
- Half Page: $300
- Full Page: $500
- Color Full Page Inside Cover: $1,000
Inside-cover placement is limited and subject to availability.
Program Ad Specifications
- Program size: 5.5" x 8.5"
- Half-page ad: 5.5" x 4.25"
- Full-page ad: 5.5" x 8.5"
- Interior program pages will be printed in black and white
- The program will be compiled in Canva
- Templates are available to assist with artwork planning
Additional information, including the current artwork deadline, is available on the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards Program Ads page.
To reserve an ad or ask a question, contact PCC Executive Director Tweed Thornton at tweed@publicity.org.
Q: Are sponsorship opportunities still available?
A: A limited number of opportunities may still be available for organizations interested in supporting the Golden Trumpet Awards and connecting with Chicago’s communications leaders.
Opportunities may include ceremony visibility, program recognition and support for special parts of the Golden Trumpet Awards experience.
For current availability, contact PCC Executive Director Tweed Thornton at tweed@publicity.org.
Q: Will I be able to order duplicate awards for colleagues, clients or partners who contributed to a winning campaign?
A: Yes. Official duplicate awards may be ordered for additional members of a winning team.
Information about duplicate award pricing and ordering will be shared with winning organizations. Questions may also be sent to office@publicity.org.
Q: If I still have a question after all of this, what should I do?
A: Please send additional questions to office@publicity.org. We will be happy to help.
We look forward to celebrating with you on Tuesday, October 6, at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards. Get ready to #ShineLikeGold.