Awards

The 2026 SHRM-Atlanta HR Excellence Awards Gala will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 6:00–10:00 PM at The Carlyle in Buckhead.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people, teams, and organizations making an impact across Atlanta’s HR community.

The 2026 HR Excellence Awards recognize excellence across 10 distinguished categories:

·         SHRM-Atlanta Volunteer of the Year Award

These categories celebrate individuals, teams, organizations, and strategic partners who are advancing the HR profession and creating meaningful workplace impact.

The HR Excellence Awards Gala is more than an awards ceremony. It is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of HR and connect with the people shaping Atlanta’s workplaces.

By attending, you’ll have the opportunity to:

·         Celebrate exceptional HR leaders, teams, and organizations

·         Support and recognize your colleagues and peers

·         Network with HR executives, business leaders, consultants, and community partners

·         Hear inspiring stories of innovation and workplace impact

·         Build meaningful professional connections in an elevated setting

·         Represent your organization at one of Atlanta’s premier HR celebrations

·         Experience the excitement of the 2026 winners being announced live

Whether you're celebrating a finalist, supporting your organization, or simply want to be part of the HR community, the Gala is a night designed to recognize the people behind the work that moves organizations forward.

Cocktail attire / elevated evening attire.

Cocktail attire is perfect, black tie is welcome, and a little extra glam is highly encouraged. We hope you’ll embrace the occasion and have some fun dressing up for a night worth celebrating.

Absolutely! Tables are a great way to celebrate with your colleagues, leadership team, clients, or other members of your organization.

You can reserve a table and bring your team together for an evening of recognition, networking, and celebration. Table availability is limited, so we encourage groups to reserve early.

The Gala runs from 6:00–10:00 PM.

Guests can expect an evening that includes:

• 6:00 PM: Guest arrival, reception, and networking

• 7:00 PM: Awards program begins
• 7:00–9:30 PM: Dinner and award-winner announcements

• 9:30–10:30 PM: Celebration

Please plan to arrive early so you have time to check in, enjoy the reception, and connect with fellow guests before the program begins.

Yes! Valet parking is included with your Gala experience. Complimentary valet will be available for guests at The Carlyle.

For added convenience, rideshare is also encouraged, especially if you plan to enjoy the evening’s cocktails and celebrations.

Yes! Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Sponsoring the HR Excellence Awards Gala puts your organization in front of Atlanta’s HR community while aligning your brand with leadership, innovation, and workplace excellence.

Available opportunities may include event visibility, branded activations, guest experiences, and other ways to engage with attendees throughout the evening.

Interested in sponsoring? Contact SHRM-Atlanta to explore available opportunities.