BEST CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT

Chile, Made By Chileans Program - Chile Brand, entered by Fundación Imagen de Chile

Estonia, Hakkab Looma 2050 - Collective Dreaming 2050, entered by Rohetiiger SA 
[Credits: AIRE/TalTech, Citizen OS, Vabamu, Ülemiste City, Elisa, Division, OIXIO, Skaala]

Friendship Heights Neighborhood, USA, Placemaking Around A Continuous Feedback Loop, entered by Friendship Heights
 
Luxembourg, Oops, I Stayed In Luxembourg, entered by "Luxembourg – Let’s Make It Happen” aka Luxembourg Brand Promotion Unit

Tartu, Estonia, Visions In The Spotlight: Creative Engagement For Tartu’s Development Plan, entered by Tartu City Government

The Hague, The Netherlands, City Pride And NATO Summit, entered by Bureau Citybranding, The Hague

Tilburg, The Netherlands, Frame your Tilburg, entered by Citymarketing Tilburg

Vilnius, Lithuania, Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, entered by Go Vilnius

BEST COMMUNICATION STRATEGY | Economic Development

Chile, Chile’s Green Hydrogen Strategy, entered by Fundación Imagen de Chile

Denmark, Shape The Future Of Your Research, entered by Copenhagen Capacity

Denmark, A State Of Curiosity, entered by Copenhagen Capacity

Greater Copenhagen Region, Denmark Life Quality Insurance, entered by Copenhagen Capacity 
[Credits: Ogilvy Denmark]

Greater Philadelphia, USA, Come For Philadelphia. Stay For Philly, entered by Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Visit Philadelphia
[Credits: Visit Philadelphia, Development]

Puerto Rico, USA, It’s Not What’s Next. It’s Where. Reframing Puerto Rico As A Hub For Innovation, entered by Invest Puerto Rico
[Credits: Development Counsellors International, C-Studios, Piro, Latitud 18]

Republic of Moldova, The 46th World Congress Of Vine And Wine In Chișinău, entered by Invest Moldova Agency

Tasmania, Australia, Be Tasmanian: Healthcare Talent Attraction Communications Strategy, entered by Brand Tasmania

BEST COMMUNICATION STRATEGY | Place Brand

Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori Partnership Story, entered by New Zealand Story
[Credits: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Education New Zealand]

Estonia, Estonia: 100% Digital, 0% Bureaucrazy, entered by Enterprise Estonia
[Credits: Kagu the Agency]

Luxembourg, Oops, I Stayed In Luxembourg, entered by "Luxembourg - Let's Make It Happen" aka Luxembourg Brand Promotion Unit

Minnesota, USA, Shining Light On Minnesota: The Star Of The North, entered by Explore Minnesota

Republic of Moldova, Moldova In EU Campaign, entered by Invest Moldova Agency
[Credits: MoldovainEU]

Scotland, How Head, Heart And Spirit Helped Us Sell Scotland Internationally, entered by Brand Scotland 
[Credits: Scottish Government, Visit Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Universities Scotland, Creative Scotland, Scotland Food & Drink]

BEST COMMUNICATION STRATEGY | Tourism

Brazil, Feel Brasil, entered by Embratur - Brazilian Tourist Board

Calgary, Canada, Tourism Calgary: Redefining Destination Marketing Through Color And Curiosity, entered by Tourism Calgary 
[Credits: ZGM, Vovia]

Cymru Wales, Feel The Hwyl. Only In Wales, entered by Visit Wales

Estonia, Setting A Guinness World Record In Sauna Bathing: Elevating Estonia’s Sauna Culture To The World Stage, entered by Visit Estonia under Enterprise Estonia
[Credits: Miltton New Nordics Estonia, Wolfcom Oy]

Estonia, Treasure Hunt By Visit Estonia, June 2025, entered by Visit Estonia, under Enterprise Estonia

Europe, Travel Responsibly, Unlock An Unexpected Upgrade, entered by Lantern
[Credits: European Travel Commission]

Faroe Islands, Self Navigating Cars, entered by Visit Faroe Islands

Jamaica, Yaad Luv: A Campaign By Jamaicans, For Jamaicans, entered by Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) 
[Credits: Trove Tourism Development Advisors, Tourism Product Development Company, Jamaica Tourist Board, Ministry of Tourism]

Myrtle Beach, USA, The Beach Is For EveryBODY: Sensory-Friendly Initiative, entered by Visit Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach Area CVB

San Diego, USA, Portraits Of Happiness: San Diego, entered by San Diego Tourism Authority 
[Credits: The Shipyard, SDTA's Brand Agency of Record]

Seattle Southside, USA, Explore Seattle Southside - Welcome Back, Aliens Campaign, entered by Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority
[Credits: ONE23WEST]

South Australia, Australia, Celebrate The Simple Pleasures, entered by South Australian Tourism Commission 
[Credits: Frame Creative, INSTID Institute for Identity]

Winnipeg, Canada, Winnipeg+ Streaming The Best In Business Events, entered by Winnipeg Economic Development and Tourism

BEST PLACEMAKING INITIATIVE

Cleveland, USA, IlluminateCLE, entered by Destination Cleveland

Hastings, New Zealand, Waiaroha: Placing Life-giving Water In The Heart Of Heretaunga Hastings, entered by Hastings District Council

Sheffield, England, Sheffield's 'Pounds Park' Area, entered by Marketing Sheffield 
[Credits: Sheffield City Council]

Stockholm, Sweden, Stockholm – City Of Supporters, entered by Stockholm Business Region

Stockport, England, Foodie Friday: A Community Catalyst For Refreshing The Experience And Identity Of Stockport Town Centre, entered by Seven Miles Out Arts CIC 
[Credits: Market Innovations Ltd]

Tampere, Finland, Window Walkabout – Transforming Streetscapes Through Creative Placemaking, entered by The City of Tampere

Toronto, Canada, YZD: Placemaking in Motion, entered by Northcrest Developments

Vilnius, Lithuania, Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, entered by Go Vilnius

BEST USE OF DATA

Estonia, Turning Insights Into Tools For Smarter Nation Branding, entered by Enterprise Estonia, Brand Estonia 
[Credits: Brand Finance, Anholt & Co]

Kingston, Canada, Destination Insights: Our City Is Your City, entered by Tourism Kingston 
[Credits: ROVE Marketing, Alphabet Creative]

Philadelphia, USA, A Moment To A Movement: Using Hyper-Local Data To Fuel Philadelphia Civic Pride, entered by Visit Philadelphia
[Credits: Ipsos, StratLab]

Regina, Canada, Talent Attraction: Building The Case For Regina, entered by Economic Development Regina

Santa Fe, USA, How Visit Santa Fe Leveraged Data for Impact, entered by Vladimir Jones

Sweden, A New Brand Sweden Report, entered by Swedish Institute

BEST USE OF DESIGN

Calgary, Canada, Calgary, Blue Sky City, entered by Daughter

Denver, USA, 16th Street Denver, entered by DNCO
[Credits: Brayan Montes-Terrazas (YAMZ)]

Finland, Ääniä: Finland's Offical Soundscape, entered by Finland Promotion Board

Sheffield, England, Sheffield Inspires Brand Launch, entered by Marketing Sheffield 
[Credits: Rob Lee, 96 Back, Andy Robinson, Jack Arts / Build Hollywood, Manasian&Co]

South Australia, Australia, Celebrate the Simple Pleasures, entered by South Australian Tourism Commission 
[Credits: Frame Creative, CARAT, INSTID Institute for Identity]

Țara Hațegului, Romania, Hațeg Country – A UNESCO Land Of Living Histories, United By Design, entered by Institute for Visionary Cities
[Credits: GMP CommUnity SRL (Romania)]

The Mat-Su, USA, The Mat-Su, Alaska Place Brand System, entered by CivicBrand 
[Credits: The Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau]

Vormsi Island, Estonia, Vormsi - The Landmark Of Being Yourself, entered by Vormsi Municipality 
[Credits: AKU, Brand Manual]

THE CITY NATION PLACE FUTURE LEADER AWARD

Canada, Peter de Rama, Senior Executive Director, Technology and Digital Transformation, Destination Canada

Seattle Southside, USA, Valerie Skubal, Social Media Manager, Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

Ventura, USA, Julie Madsen, Communications & PR Manager, Visit Ventura

PLACE BRAND OF THE YEAR

Baltimore, USA, Baltimore Region Bold Moves, entered by Greater Baltimore Committee
[Credits: Resonance]

Denmark, A State of Denmark – Building A Unified National Talent Place Brand, entered by Copenhagen Capacity

Estonia, The World’s Most Advanced Digital Society Evolving In Change, entered by Enterprise Estonia, Brand Estonia
[Credits: Brand Finance, Visit Estonia, Optimist Creative, Get Shot Films, Estonian Government, Anholt & Co]

Humber, England, Humber: One Voice, One Future – Revolutionary, Resourceful, Real, Remarkable, entered by Future Humber 
[Credits: Hemingway Design, CTConsults, Pace Communications]

Jamaica, Yaad Luv: A Community-Centered Model For Jamaica Tourism, entered by Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) 
[Credits: Trove Tourism Development Advisors, Tourism Product Development Company, Jamaica Tourist Board, Ministry of Tourism]

Reșița, Romania, Reșița – Flame & Oxygen: Reinventing A Post-Industrial City, entered by City of Reșița 
[Credits: Institute for Visionary Cities (Romania), GMP CommUnity SRL (Romania)]

Sheffield, England, Sheffield Inspires, entered by Marketing Sheffield 
[Credits: Manasian&Co]

Sweden, Sweden: Space To Grow, entered by Swedish Institute

Congratulations to all of our finalists! 

We look forward to announcing the winners at the City Nation Place Global conference in London on November 6th.