Pinnacle Awards

Winners are recognized at a special reception on May 14, 2026 during IMPACT: Cornerstone Annual Meeting at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City, OK.

Entries for the 2025 awards may be submitted Dec. 8, 2025 – Feb. 27, 2026.

All affiliate members of the Cornerstone League are eligible to submit entries.

Yes, credit unions can enter more than one entry in the same category but only one winner will be chosen from each category.

Yes, you can enter multiple categories using the same campaign, but each will be a separate submission. Each category entered needs to meet the requirements for that category including completing a separate Application form and uploading any supporting materials for each category entered. Judges will not cross-reference pieces from one category to another.

Return on Investment (ROI) can be documented in many different ways. ROI doesn't necessarily have to be shown in dollars and cents but it can be. ROI might be represented by the number of people reached, attendance at an event, or the number of members responding. Many marketers use MCIF software to obtain ROI results but the software isn't necessary. An excel worksheet or word document showing the campaign results is sufficient. When in doubt, ask your accounting manager for help.

The Pinnacle Awards committee selects judges. Every effort is made to have a diverse panel of judges. Other than serving as a Pinnacle Awards Judge, the judges have no other affiliation with the Cornerstone Marketing and Business Development Council. The intent is to have judges who are vendors, former and current credit union professionals, and/or those who do not specialize in marketing for a Cornerstone League credit union. The chairpersons of the Pinnacle Awards committee are credit union marketing professionals but only assist with judging when absolutely necessary. Judges are volunteers and are not paid.

To ensure the integrity of the awards, the judges will determine that the criteria for each category are met and the award is warranted. If the quality of entries in a given category is not strong enough, no awards will be given.

Typically we receive 100-150 entries and judges select approximately 75 winners.

Due to the number of entries received, it would be impossible for judges to include a write-up with each score sheet.

No. You do not need to be present to win.

Since all entries are submitted digitally, the winning entries could be shown in a presentation during the Pinnacle Awards recognition.

Some of them may be played during the Pinnacle Award recognition.

Your award will be mailed to you.

The awards ceremony is streamlined by matching the attendee roster to the winners. If someone from your credit union is a registered attendee, he or she may accept the award as your designee. Please contact Sarah Bowman at Cornerstone League to ensure that your award will be available to your designee during the ceremony.

Yes. If you are unable to attend the conference, you must RSVP to attend the awards celebration only. To register, please contact Sarah Bowman at 469-385-6423.

No. The awards ceremony is intended for Marketing and Business Development Council members and paid attendees of the conference only.

Only the award winners and their CEOs are notified by email, but they are not told what category(s) they have won.

You can contact Sarah Bowman at 469-385-6423.