Customer service used to be about friendly smiles and quick phone calls. Now, it’s a full-blown strategic engine — data-driven, AI-augmented, and increasingly public. One bad experience goes viral before lunch, and one good one can earn a company lifelong fans.
By 2026, customer service has stretched far beyond call centers. It’s chatbots that actually understand you, loyalty programs that feel personal, and service agents empowered to make fast, smart decisions. Awards in this space tend to reflect that shift — honoring organizations that deliver not just satisfaction but empathy and insight at scale.
Here are ten programs recognizing brands that get customer experience right, with the Excellence in Customer Service Awards leading the charge.
1. Excellence in Customer Service Awards
Deadline: March 6, 2026
https://www.bintelligence.com/awards/excellence-in-customer-service-awards
Some awards feel like marketing exercises; this one feels earned. The Excellence in Customer Service Awards, run by the Business Intelligence Group, celebrate people and organizations who treat service as strategy. Winners tend to share one thing — an obsession with outcomes, not optics.
The transparent judging process and executive-level panel make this program stand out. It covers individuals, departments, and entire organizations, giving everyone from CX leaders to front-line teams a chance to shine.
2. Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service
Deadline: November 13, 2025
https://stevieawards.com/sales
This is one of the most recognized customer service awards globally. The Stevies cover hundreds of categories, but their focus on measurable results — like response time improvements or customer satisfaction lifts — makes them a staple in the industry.
3. International Service Excellence Awards
Deadline: October 2025
https://www.serviceinstitute.com/
Hosted by the International Council of Customer Service Organizations, these awards have a strong professional tone. They attract large global brands and place emphasis on consistency, process, and innovation in service delivery.
4. Customer Centricity World Series Awards
Deadline: April 2026
https://www.customercentricityworldseries.com/
This program feels a bit like the Oscars for CX professionals. The judging panel features customer service veterans from around the world, and the categories blend B2C and B2B excellence.
5. National Customer Service Awards (UK)
Deadline: June 2026
https://awards.customerexperiencefoundation.org/
For international reach, the UK-based National Customer Service Awards carry real weight. They celebrate everything from internal culture to innovation in training.
6. Gartner Customer Service & Support Excellence Awards
Deadline: January 2026
https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/customer-service-support
This one’s analytical and data-heavy — exactly what you’d expect from Gartner. The focus is on measurable impact: cost reduction, customer retention, and long-term satisfaction trends.
7. CCW Excellence Awards (Customer Contact Week)
Deadline: February 2026
https://www.customercontactweekdigital.com/
CCW’s awards highlight operational excellence — the behind-the-scenes systems that make customer service smooth and scalable. Categories include innovation, team leadership, and digital transformation.
8. Contact Center World Awards
Deadline: May 2026
https://www.contactcenterworld.com/
If you’ve ever worked in a call center, you’ve heard of these. The Contact Center World Awards have been around for over two decades and honor everything from training and leadership to quality assurance.
9. Customer Experience Awards (UK CXA)
Deadline: September 2026
https://cxa.co.uk/
A strong community-driven award that values storytelling as much as metrics. Winners often show how internal culture and customer empathy drive consistent success.
10. American Business Awards – Customer Service Categories
Deadline: February 2026
https://stevieawards.com/aba
Another program under the Stevie umbrella, these categories specifically target U.S. organizations excelling in service. It’s perfect for teams looking to boost national exposure.
Why Customer Service Awards Matter More Than Ever
Customer experience used to sit quietly in the background; now it drives revenue. Recognition from respected programs isn’t just about trophies — it’s about signaling to customers, investors, and employees that service excellence is embedded in your DNA.
The Excellence in Customer Service Awards lead this charge because they judge authenticity, not just polish. Winning here tells the world that your service values run deep, not just in your marketing.
There’s a strong case for this shift — McKinsey’s recent CX research ties customer experience excellence directly to revenue growth. In short, great service pays off.