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Where innovation takes center stage.

Submissions for the 2026 Customer Innovate Awards are now closed. Our panel of independent judges is currently reviewing entries across all categories. Finalists and winners are being selected based on innovation, impact, and measurable business outcomes.

Winners will be announced October 19, 2026, at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, Florida.

Join us at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo.

Let's celebrate the organizations who are redefining what business can do with advanced connectivity. This year, we're bringing the Customer Innovate Awards to the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo for an event you won't want to miss.

The experience:

  • See our 2026 award winners get recognized.
  • Hear customer innovation stories brought to life.
  • Enjoy exclusive moments with T-Mobile for Business leaders.

Event highlights:

  • Keynote address by Gary Vaynerchuk.
  • Live performance by Grammy-nominated artist Flo Rida.
  • Awards recognition event.
See what's happening

Gary Vaynerchuk on innovation, AI, and what winning organizations do differently.

Monday, 10/19 | Grand Harbor Ballroom from 3:45–4:15 p.m.

Gary Vaynerchuk, Chairman of VaynerX, CEO of VaynerMedia, and Creator of VeeFriends.

Entrepreneur, investor, and business leader Gary Vaynerchuk takes the stage to explore how organizations can turn emerging technology into a real competitive advantage. Gary will share his perspective on AI, innovation, culture, leadership, and execution, including what separates organizations that simply adopt new technology from those that use it to drive meaningful business results.

PANEL OF EXPERTS

Meet the judges.    

Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts, ensuring every winner reflects true innovation and
measurable impact.

Carolina Milanesi.

President & Principal Analyst.

Creative Strategies.

Matt Griffin.

Futurist in Chief.

311 Institute.

Alyson Woodard.

VP Service Delivery & Customer Experience.

T-Mobile For Business.

Brian Kamenetzky.

Senior Editor.

The Trust | WSJ Barron’s Group.

A headshot of the Luminary Judge, Gary Vaynerchuk.
LUMINARY JUDGE

Gary Vaynerchuk.

Chairman of VaynerX, CEO of VaynerMedia, and Creator of VeeFriends.

Selects the recipient of the Innovation in Impact award.

2025 TOP INNOVATORS

Past winners and success stories.

See how previous winners are using advanced connectivity to transform their businesses.

South Walton Mosquito District, established in 1964.

South Walton
Mosquito District.

Malcolm Gladwell Tipping Point recipient.

Drone technology has cut treatment time and reduced chemical use, setting a new standard for smart, sustainable mosquito control that protects public health and ecosystems.

Learn more , opens in a new window
Cisco.

Cisco.

1st place: Innovation in industry.

Cisco blends Al and mobile connectivity to enable secure access from virtually anywhere—accelerating decisions, reducing costs, and driving supplier innovation.

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Tractor Supply Company.

Tractor Supply Co.

1st place: Innovation in customer experience.

As the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., Tractor Supply Company transforms customer experience with Al, mobile apps, and tools that empower 52,000 team members to deliver legendary service nationwide.

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Axis Energy Services.

Axis Energy Services.

1st place: Innovation in employee enablement.

A smarter, safer energy future is emerging, powered by reliable connectivity that enables predictive maintenance, hazard prevention, and advanced cybersecurity.

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UNLV, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

1st place: Innovation in community.

At UNLV's commercial kitchen laboratory, connected equipment, displays, and apps work together to accelerate service, reduce waste, and elevate customer experience.

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Metropolitan Peace Initiatives.

Metropolitan Peace Initiatives.

2nd place: Innovation in industry.

Peacekeepers use smartphones and tablets to monitor social media, defuse high-risk situations, and contribute to major reductions in arrests, injuries, and violence.

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Fleet Feet.

Fleet Feet.

2nd place: Innovation in customer experience.

Fleet Feet uses 3D foot scanning and dynamic pressure mapping to deliver precise measurements and gait analysis to ensure comfort and performance for over eight million runners and walkers.

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The Jewish Board.

The Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services.

2nd place: Innovation in employee enablement.

An AI-powered platform gives therapists and crisis responders secure, remote access to critical tools and improves mental health outcomes from virtually anywhere.

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Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

2nd place: Innovation in community.

Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute leads the nation with the first real-world deployment of variable speed limits to enhance safety and efficiency through innovation.

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Ericsson.

Ericsson.

3rd place: Innovation in industry.

Ericsson replaces traditional Wi-Fi with secure, always-on 5G fixed networks, allowing IT teams to manage thousands of devices from a single dashboard while cutting costs and enhancing security.

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Wayfield Foods.

Wayfield Foods.

3rd place: Innovation in customer experience.

This 10-store grocery chain leverages a cloud communication platform for remote management, inventory control, and AI-powered antitheft monitoring to create a faster, safer shopping experience.

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Amdocs.

Amdocs.

3rd place: Innovation in employee enablement.

Amdocs upgraded connectivity for its 25,000 global employees, enabling full-speed remote work to save $500,000 annually and boost productivity by 15%.

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St. Vrain Valley School. Academic excellence by design.

St. Vrain Valley School District Innovation Center.

3rd place: Innovation in community.

A student team from St. Vrain Valley School launched over 300 drones in spectacular shows enjoyed by more than 200,000 spectators—proving these students aren’t just learning STEM, they’re leading it.

Learn more , opens in a new window

Stay tuned.

The 2026 Customer Innovate Award winners will be revealed on October 19, 2026.

Check back soon to explore the full list of winners and their innovation stories—featuring the ideas and technologies shaping what’s next.

AWARDS

Your success can give back.

First place and Innovation in impact winners will be featured in a Wall Street Journal custom content article. 

All winners will be presented with a crystal trophy on stage at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo and be included in T-Mobile for Business social media and web promotions.

Luminary award: $30K

First place: $25K

Second place: $10K

Third place: $5K

All awards are given to the charity of the winner's choice.

Got questions?

Get answers to frequently asked questions.

  • The Innovate Awards are open to current T-Mobile for Business customers with 500+ employees, as well as publicly funded government and education customers. Submissions must showcase use of the T-Mobile network or solutions and demonstrate measurable business impact. Entries must be submitted by July 31, 2026 and will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on innovation, creativity, and real-world results. Winners are selected across multiple categories and must be available to participate in recognition activities, including the awards event at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo on October 19, 2026. Read the full eligibility requirements and official rules.

  • The entries are accepted from April 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026. The winners will be selected by August 31, 2026.

  • There is no cost to enter and entries are open to eligible T-Mobile for Business customers.

  • The winners will be recognized on stage at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo on October 19, 2026 at the Disney Swan Pool & Cabana Bar in Orlando, Florida.

  • We will connect with you to set up telepresence or a pre-recorded video.