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connect community awards

Mark your calendar for the Fourth Annual Connect Community Awards on November 7, 2025, at the Grand Helios Hotel!


This red carpet evening brings together Central Florida’s top Community Association Managers and Industry Partners to celebrate leadership, innovation, and excellence in our field.

Nominated by peers and reviewed by a panel of their peers, award recipients exemplify the dedication that drives thriving communities.

 We’ll honor all nominees, winners, and partners making a real impact.


Join us for an unforgettable night of recognition and connection!

MEET THE 2024 WINNERS

2025     Sponsorships

Want to be part of a lasting legacy in our industry while celebrating the dedication of Community Association Managers?

Sponsorship opportunities will come available June 1st. Be the first to find out what sponsorships will highlight this year's Connect Community Awards.

Contact Us Now!

The     2025    categories 

The 
​LEGACY AWARD

The Legacy Award honors an exceptional individual who has made a lasting impact on the community association industry. This prestigious award may be presented to a board member, vendor, manager, or industry leader who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, influence, and long-term contributions to the field.

NOMINATE

Chuck Strode Leadership Award

Chuck was a true pillar of the Community Association industry
a shining example of leadership, kindness, and compassion in every interaction. Nominees for this award should reflect the same remarkable qualities that Chuck so effortlessly embodied: integrity, dedication, and a genuine commitment to uplifting others. 

NOMINATE

most industry minded advisor

This award honors the Connect Advisor who has shown outstanding support for our industry. It recognizes an advisor who actively champions the education, growth, and development of our Community Association Managers.

Advisors outside of the Connect network are also welcome to be nominated.

NOMINATE

mOST COMMUNITY MINDED MANAGEMENT COMPANY

This award will recognize the management company that truly gives back to the communities they serve and call home. It’s not about financial contributions, but about the heart and dedication behind the people—their philanthropic efforts, community-driven projects, and meaningful initiatives that make a lasting difference.

NOMINATE

onsite     manager    of the year

The On-Site Manager Award will be presented to an exceptional manager who consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership, initiative, and commitment within the community they oversee. This award recognizes a manager who goes above and beyond in fostering a positive, well-maintained, and thriving environment for residents and stakeholders. 

NOMINATE

portfolio manager  of the year

The Portfolio Manager Award will be presented to a manager who exemplifies exceptional leadership across the diverse communities they oversee. This award recognizes a manager who effectively balances the unique needs of each community, while demonstrating strategic vision, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to fostering positive relationships and growth within all of their portfolios.

NOMINATE

newbie  manager  of the year

This award will be presented to a CAM who has started their management career within the past 12 months and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and a strong commitment to improving the communities they oversee.

This award recognizes an emerging leader who has quickly made a positive impact through their dedication, proactive approach, and passion for community enhancement.

NOMINATE

most   devoted  board  member  of the year

This award will honor a board member who goes above and beyond in partnership with their Community Association Manager, working tirelessly to improve the community and enhance the quality of life for its homeowners.

Their dedication, collaboration, and commitment to positive change make them a vital force in creating a stronger, more connected neighborhood.

NOMINATE

CONNECT   COMMUNITY  AWARDS   faq

WHEN IS THE CONNECT AWARD?
Generally held in the first week of November. Be on the lookout for the Grand Opening.  Nominations will open May 1st and conclude June 30th.

WHO CAN NOMINATE?
ANYONE! A homeowner, board member, colleagues, supervisors, vendors!

WHEN DO NOMINATIONS CLOSE?
Nominations will close June 30th for selection, an email will be sent to each nominee who have been selected for the top 5 per category shortly after closing!

HOW MANY NOMINATIONS CAN I MAKE?
You may nominate as many nominees as you would like, but can only nominate the same person once.

HOW MANY NOMINATIONS DOES A NOMINEE NEED TO QUALIFY?
Each Community Association Manager must have 3 total nominations from separate nominators to progress to the next phase.

WHAT IS THE NEXT PHASE?
The next phase is narrowing down the nominees for each category based on the number of nominations they received. There will be 5 total nominees selected from each category.

HOW IS THE WINNER FOR EACH CATEGORY SELECTED?
Each nomination for the individual nominees will be redacted to remove any identifying information, i.e. name, management company or community. Those nominations will be provided to the Connect  Awards Committee to "grade" each nomination/nominee. The grades for each Nominee will be tallied and the highest score will be the winner of that category. This grading system applies to all categories!

WHO IS ON THE CONNECT AWARD COMMITTEE?
The Connect Awards Committee is comprised of 4 Community Association Managers within the Central Florida Market from all different companies.

CAN THE CONNECT AWARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS BE NOMINATED?
Yes! When a committee member qualifies and is selected in the top 5, they will not be able to vote on themselves or that category, rather a Connect Advisory Committee Member will step in to grade that category in leu of that nominee.

WHO CAN SPONSOR THE AWARDS GALA?
Any vendor! Non-Connect Members are welcome to sponsor this amazing event! Management companies are not permitted to sponsor as to not show any bias in selections. Sponsorship options will be made available June 1st! Want to get on the list to be the first to be notified? See below!


2025 cONNECT AWARDS SPONSORS

Want to be part of a lasting legacy in our industry while celebrating the dedication of Community Association Managers?

Sponsorship opportunities will come available June 1st. Be the first to find out what sponsorships will highlight this year's Connect Community Awards.


SPONSOR!

CONNECT CARES AWARD

As part of your nomination, Connect will be collecting donations to support the selected community in need. This is your chance to highlight a neighborhood that could benefit from a helping hand—whether it's a financially struggling community facing essential repairs, one needing a clubhouse refresh, or a park in need of cleanup and care.

All proceeds from nominations will go directly to one chosen community, and a check will be presented to them live at the Connect Community Awards. Even better? The nominated community will be notified of your thoughtful gesture.

NOMINATE
NOMINATE!

connect    cares   award

Nominations for the Connect Community Award are OPEN! You can nominate a community at anytime leading up to the day before the event on November 9th. Connect will be collecting monetary nominations for The Connect Community Cares Award! You will have a chance to nominate a community in need of this contribution. Maybe you know a community financially struggling but has necessary repairs coming up, a community needing to spruce up their clubhouse or clean-up of a community park. All nomination proceeds will go to one lucky community and a check will be presented to that community at The Connect Community Awards. The Community will also be published in the January Edition of the Florida Community Association Journal.

managing  nominations  have  closed!

We're excited to have closed Nominations as we get closer to the CCA's. Five hard working and dedicated Industry Professionals will be chosen for each category and published in the October 23' edition of the Florida Community Association Journal! Winners will be announced during the 2023 Connect Community Association Awards on November 9th and will be awarded a CAI Scholarship along with publication in the January 24' edition of the Florida Community Association Journal. 
See below for Connect Community Award Nominations as those remain OPEN!

connect cares community award

Nominations for the Connect Cares Community Award is still OPEN! You can nominate a community at anytime leading up to the week before the event on November 9th. Connect will be collecting monetary nominations for The Connect  Cares Community Award! You will have a chance to nominate a community in need of this contribution. Maybe you know a community financially struggling but has necessary repairs coming up, a community needing to spruce up their clubhouse or clean-up of a community park. All nomination proceeds will go to one lucky community and a check will be presented to that community at The Connect Community Awards. The Community will also be published in the January Edition of the Florida Community Association Journal.

NOMINATE

NOVEMBER 9th  awards ceremony