Zenith Awards: Legacy In Lights

    
NOMINEE INFORMATION SESSION

New for 2026: The Zenith Awards judging process has been updated. Nominees will no longer be required to submit video entries. Instead, all nominee interviews will be conducted via Zoom from the TAA office and will be evaluated by volunteer judges from outside the state. This updated process helps ensure a consistent, fair, and impartial judging experience for all nominees. 

Scheduling for interviews will begin in late August. 

  
NOMINEE PICTURES

Individuals nominated for a 2026 Zenith Award will receive a complimentary headshot. The Tulsa Apartment Association will use this picture for your nominee recognition. Pictures will be taken at the Tulsa Apartment Association office on the day of your interview. (6855 South Canton Avenue, Tulsa).  

NOMINEE EMAIL SIGNATURE GRAPHIC

Let everyone know you are a 2026 Zenith Awards nominee by adding the image below to your email signature. Click on the image below and new window will open with the PNG file and then you can right-click to save the image to your computer. Then you just have to add it to your email signature and you'll be all set!

With more than 1,000 industry professionals in attendance each year, the Zenith Awards offers an exceptional opportunity to showcase your company and increase your brand visibility.

The generous support of our sponsors makes it possible to create a memorable, fun event for TAA members while advancing the Tulsa Apartment Association's mission and supporting the rental housing industry.

We offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities at multiple investment levels, making it easy to find an option that aligns with your marketing goals and budget. Explore the sponsorship packages to find the best fit for your business, then click "Register Now" to secure your sponsorship.

Only 1 available. SOLD OUT. THANK YOU, MIKLOS TOWING!!

• company representative receives opportunity to speak on stage during the event
• company video/commercial shown at event
• company video/commercial posted on TAA social media platforms and/or Zenith Awards web page
• choice of one extra dimension
• company representative introduced on stage at event & presents two awards*
• company logo on nominee certificates & opportunity to deliver certificates to nominees for the two awards*
• opportunity to deliver gift baskets to winners for the two awards*
• reserve table for 10 with priority table selection
• recognition on gift basket & opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• full-page black & white advertisement in event program
• recognition on Zenith Awards promotional materials
• recognition in TAA staff email signature
• recognition at TAA Luncheon meeting
• recognition on Zenith Awards web page
• 
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• four social media spotlights (posted on TAA social media platforms)
• two email blasts to TAA members
• banner advertisement on membership directory web page for three months
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for three months

Only 5 available. Sold Out

• company video/commercial shown at event
• company video/commercial posted on TAA social media platforms and/or Zenith Awards web page
• choice of one extra dimension
• company representative introduced on stage at event & presents two awards*
• company logo on nominee certificates & opportunity to deliver certificates to nominees for the two awards*
• opportunity to deliver gift baskets to winners for the two awards*
• reserve table for 10 with priority table selection
• recognition on gift basket & opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• full-page black & white advertisement in event program
• recognition on Zenith Awards promotional materials
• recognition in TAA staff email signature
• recognition at TAA Luncheon meeting
• recognition on Zenith Awards web page
• 
  
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• four social media spotlights (posted on TAA social media platforms)
• two email blasts to TAA members
• banner advertisement on membership directory web page for three months
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for three months

Only 6 available. ONLY 1 LEFT!!!

• choice of one extra dimension
• if purchased before July 1, 2026, company representative introduced on stage at event & presents two awards* (after July 1, sponsors will receive free nominations instead of presenting)
• company logo on nominee certificates & opportunity to deliver certificates to nominees for the two awards*
• opportunity to deliver gift baskets to winners for the two awards*
• reserve table for 10 with priority table selection
• recognition on gift basket & opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• half-page black & white advertisement in event program
• recognition on Zenith Awards promotional materials
• recognition in TAA staff email signature
• recognition at TAA Luncheon meeting
• recognition on Zenith Awards web page
• 
  
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• three social media spotlights (posted on TAA social media platforms)
• one email blasts to TAA member
• banner advertisement on membership directory web page for three month
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for three months

• if purchased before July 1, 2026, company representative introduced on stage at event & presents one award* (After July 1st, sponsors will receive free nominations instead of presenting)
• company logo on nominee certificates & opportunity to deliver certificates to nominees for the award*
• opportunity to deliver gift baskets to winners for the award*
• reserve table for 10 with priority table selection
• opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• recognition in event program
• recognition at event
• square ad on Zenith Awards web page
  
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• two social media spotlights (posted on TAA social media platforms)
• banner advertisement on membership directory web page for three months
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for one month

• four individual tickets for the event
• if purchased before July 1, 2026, company representative introduced on stage at event & present one award* (After July 1, sponsors will receive free nominations instead of presenting)
• company logo on nominee certificates & opportunity to deliver certificates to nominees for the award*
• opportunity to deliver gift baskets to winners for the award*
• opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• recognition in event program
• recognition at event
  
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• one social media spotlights (posted on TAA social media platforms)
• banner advertisement on membership directory web page for one month
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for one month

• one individual nomination
• two individual tickets for the event
• opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• recognition in event program
• recognition at event
  
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• banner advertisement on membership directory web page for one month
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for one month

• opportunity to put an item in the gift basket given to each winner
• recognition in event program
• recognition at event
  
  Sponsors have 90 days to use the following benefits:
• banner advertisement in Insider News e-newsletter for one month

 *Management companies may receive 2 community/service team nominations & 4 individual nominations in exchange for presenting an award.

Sponsorship registrations cannot be canceled or refunded after submission.  If you made an error during registration, please contact the Tulsa Apartment Association office immediately to have the error corrected.

The Tulsa Apartment Association has secured hotel rooms at the Renaissance Hotel for a discounted rate of $119/night and this includes parking. There are a limited number of rooms available, so book early to secure your room.
The deadline to book a room is October 27. 

 CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A HOTEL ROOM

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY AUGUST 15, 2026.

There are over 20 different awards presented at the Zenith Awards event. Each award has different requirements and judging criteria. View the full list of award categories along with the judging criteria for each award below.  

The same nomination form will be used for all nominations and the nominator will receive an instant confirmation email after the nomination has been submitted. All nominations must be submitted using the official nomination form. Nominations are due by August 15, 2026.

HOW IT WORKS

• If you know individuals, teams, or communities that deserve recognition, you can submit a nomination for them in the applicable award category. See the full list of awards below.

• Nominations must be submitted using the official nomination form. Click here to go to the form. The deadline to submit nominations is Tuesday, August 15, 2026.

• Nominees will be hand delivered a letter notifying them of their nomination after the nomination deadline. The letter will inform the nominee of the judging process as well as any other items they will be required to provide.  

• All nominees will receive a printed nominee certificate and an email signature graphic acknowledging their nomination.
• Individual award nominees will have the opportunity to have a head shot picture taken.  Nominees will have their head shot taken at the TAA office before their interview.  This picture will be used for their nominee recognition, including at the Zenith Awards event. Nominees will receive their head shot picture if requested.
• Individual award nominees, and representatives for team award nominees, will receive a nominee gift at the Zenith Awards event.
• All nominees will receive recognition in the printed Zenith Awards program, in the slide show displayed at the event, and will be announced by the emcee at the event.
• Nominees will need a ticket to attend the Zenith Awards event on November 20th at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. 
• Winners will be announced at the Zenith Awards event.

ELIGIBILITY

• The nominee and the nominee's company must be a member of the Tulsa Apartment Association in good standing.
• It is recommended that a nominee be in their respective position for at least six months at the time of nomination (except for the Rookie of the Year awards), but it is not required.
• Nominees for the Rookie of the Year awards recognize outstanding individuals who are new to the rental housing industry. Nominees have not worked in the rental housing industry before January 2025.
• Winners of the 2024 Zenith Awards are not eligible to be nominated for the awards they won in 2024. Example: The winner of the Manager of the Year for 2024 is not eligible for the Manager of the Year for 2026. The winner is eligible for any other award this year, and will be eligible again for the Manager of the Year in 2027.

COST

• $35 per Nomination for Individual Nominations
• $60 per Nomination for Teams (Service Team & Management Company) and Community Nominations
• FREE Nominations for Supplier Awards

Nomination fees will be invoiced to the nominator's company after the nomination deadline.  If the company is a sponsor and receives complimentary nominations as a sponsor benefit, that will be reflected on the invoice.  Nominations must be paid for by September 30, 2026.

JUDGING

• All nominations will be judged by an unbiased panel of judges. TAA recruits rental housing industry professionals from across the country to judge the nominees by interview on zoom.  
• Nominees will be hand delivered a letter to notify them of their nomination. The letter will include details about the interview process. 
• Judging results will be kept confidential. Winners will be announced during the Zenith Awards event on Friday, November 20th at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.

AWARD CATEGORIES

CORPORATE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Individuals who do not work on-site at an apartment community, and who are considered to work "behind the Scenes" are eligible for this award ( Example: IT, Human Resources, Accounting, Administrative, etc.) Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to work ethic, dependability, team mentality, attitude, proficiency and overall company knowledge.

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation & Zoom interview.  

PROPERTY SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

Regional supervisors and area supervisors who are responsible for multiple properties and people are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, philosophy & management ability, human & team resource skills, time management, visionary, resident satisfaction, creativity, integrity, leadership, professionalism, accomplishments, effective financial asset management & profitability, industry involvement, owner-client rapport, demonstrating company mission & vision, increased or maintained occupancy, and fair housing knowledge    

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

Maintenance supervisors who are responsible for multiple properties & manage a maintenance team are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service request turnaround, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow-up skills, attitude, resident satisfaction, professionalism, knowledge of maintenance equipment, dependability, leadership, creative budget strategy, compatibility with management goals, and management skills   

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Managers of apartment communities or rental housing communities are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, leadership, management skills & philosophy, industry knowledge, resident retention, budgeting & asset administration, attitude, professionalism, solution management, creativity, profitability, demonstrating ownership qualities, human resource guidance, knowledge of staff roles, and fair housing knowledge 

 Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Assistant Managers of apartment communities or rental housing communities are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, leadership, industry knowledge, attitude, professionalism, solution management, creativity, dependability, demonstrating ownership qualities, sales skills, human resource guidance, collection management, and fair housing knowledge

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

LEASING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Leasing professionals of apartment communities or rental housing communities are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to sales skills, closing ratio, marketing proficiency, follow-up skills, attitude, creativity, professionalism, people skills, fair housing knowledge, solution management, dependability, team player, phone skills, and conversion ratios

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

ROOKIE LEASING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Leasing professionals of apartment communities or rental housing communities who did not work in the rental housing industry before January 2025 are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, sales skills, closing ratio, marketing proficiency, follow-up skills, attitude, creativity, professionalism, people skills, fair housing knowledge, solution management, dependability, team player, phone skills, and conversion ratios

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

LEAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Service Technicians who perform maintenance at apartment communities or rental housing communities and manage/supervise other Service Technicians at the community, or who are the only Service Technician for the community, are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service request turnaround, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow-up skills, attitude, resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with the manager, knowledge of maintenance equipment, dependability, and leadership

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Service Technicians who perform maintenance at apartment communities or rental housing communities or who are the only Service Technician for the community are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service request turnaround, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow-up skills, attitude, resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with the manager, knowledge of maintenance equipment, dependability, and leadership

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

ROOKIE SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Service Technicians who perform maintenance at apartment communities or rental housing communities who did not work in the rental housing industry before January 2025 are eligible for this award. Nominees will be judged on, but not limited to, maintenance skills, knowledge of the trade, average service request turnaround, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow-up skills, attitude, resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with the manager, knowledge of maintenance equipment, and dependability.

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview. 

MAKE READY/PAINTER TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Make Ready/Painter Technicians are judged on, but not limited to, ability to multi-task, time management, attitude, attendance, fair housing knowledge, resident relations, and dependability.

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.  

GROUNDSKEEPER/PORTER OF THE YEAR

Groundskeepers at apartment communities or rental housing communities are eligible for this award. They will be judged on, but not limited to, their ability to multi-task, efficiency, time management, attitude, work ethic, attendance, fair housing knowledge, resident relations, and dependability. 

Judging Criteria:  Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview. 

HOUSEKEEPING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Individuals who perform housekeeping services at apartment communities or rental housing communities are eligible for this award. They will be judged on, but not limited to their housekeeping skills, knowledge of trade, average units cleaned, attitude, resident relations, fair housing knowledge, quality of work and dependability. 

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview. 

CARL P. LATTIMORE JR. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a management professional who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to the Tulsa Apartment Association through volunteer involvement. Eligible nominees must be employed by a TAA member management company and have actively contributed their time, leadership, and expertise to support TAA programs, events, committees, or initiatives. This award honors an individual whose volunteer efforts have made a meaningful impact on both the association and the multifamily housing industry. 

CARL P. LATTIMORE JR. SUPPLIER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a supplier volunteer professional who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Tulsa Apartment Association through active volunteer service and support. This award honors an individual whose time, leadership and involvement have made a lasting impact on TAA, its members, and the multifamily industry. 

SERVICE TEAM OF THE YEAR

Maintenance (service) teams are eligible for this award.

Judged on, but not limited to, maintenance skills, knowledge of the trade, average service request turnaround, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow-up skills, attitude, resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with the manager, knowledge of maintenance equipment, dependability, and customer service philosophy

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview.

MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Residential property management companies are eligible for this award.

Judged on, but not limited to, company culture, employee professional development, business practices, fiscal management, customer service, integrity, adherence to TAA ethical standards, involvement in the association, and community involvement

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

Apartment communities and rental housing communities built within the designated years are eligible for these awards. 

• Community of the Year Built Before 1980
• Community of the Year Built 1981 to 1993
• Community of the Year Built 1994 to 2005
• Community of the Year Built 2006 to 2020
• Community of the Year Built 2021 to Present

Judged on, but not limited to signage, curb appeal, overall staff presentation, cleanliness, parking areas, office/clubhouse, amenities, model, resident activities, and involvement in the surrounding community

Judging Criteria: Nomination form, letter of recommendation (optional) & Zoom interview, mystery shopping.

ATTENTION!!! RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS

Don't forget to nominate the Supplier companies and supplier individuals you feel are worthy of recognition. Nominations are FREE! Nominees must be a member of the Tulsa Apartment Association. Not sure if they are a member? Click here to view the Supplier Member Directory.

SUPPLIER COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Supplier companies are eligible for this award.

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to impact and commitment within the apartment association, company culture, quality of product or service, community service, integrity, customer service, client rapport, and value-added to client 

SUPPLIER SALES PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Individuals who work for a Supplier Member Company as a sales representative are eligible for this award.

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to sales skills, marketing proficiency, follow-up skills, attitude, professionalism, creativity, people skills, enthusiasm, ethics, industry knowledge, product or service knowledge, customer rapport, and involvement in TAA

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS NOMINATION INFORMATION (AWARDS GUIDELINES)

Cancellation Policy:

No refunds will be given for cancellations of nominations, sponsorships, tables, or tickets once registration is received.