The International Loyalty Awards Head to the USA for the First Time – Entries Now Open for 2026
The International Loyalty Awards (ILA), the global gold standard for excellence in customer loyalty, has announced that entries are now officially open for its 17th annual celebration. For the first time, the awards ceremony will take place in the United States, with Atlanta, Georgia, confirmed as the host city for 2026.
After 15 years in London, followed by two highly successful years in Dubai, this move underlines the growing scale and global reach of the ILA. Atlanta’s position as a key hub for customer loyalty, technology, and innovation makes this the natural choice for such an event.
Commenting on the launch of the new destination, co-founders Marian Kelly and Eileen McGuinness said: “The International Loyalty Awards have always been about much more than a single city or region. Our mission is to champion loyalty innovation all around the world. Moving to Atlanta is not just a change of venue; it’s a bold statement that loyalty is a truly global movement and we’re proud to celebrate it on the world’s grandest international stage.” As Prime Sponsor of the ILA, Nayax joins us in celebrating this new chapter.
“As a leader in cashless payment solutions and loyalty technology, Nayax is proud to support the International Loyalty Awards as they expand to new horizons. The move to Atlanta reflects the fast-growing innovation we see in loyalty and payments across the Americas and worldwide, aligning perfectly with our vision to enable seamless, rewarding experiences for consumers everywhere.”
The ILA recognises outstanding achievements across industries, from retail and travel to financial services and digital innovation. A new category has also been introduced for 2026 – Best Supplier / Vendor – highlighting the essential role of solution providers and technology innovators within the loyalty ecosystem.
Full details of categories and entry requirements can be found in the official information pack, available to download now at www.internationalloyaltyawards.com.
Key Dates
- Entries Open: 30 September 2025
- Early Bird Deadline: 24 October 2025
- Final Deadline: 12 December 2025
The International Loyalty Awards attract entries and attendees from across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, reflecting their standing as the world’s preeminent loyalty industry awards. The organisers encourage early participation and emphasise that the more categories an organisation enters, the greater its chance of recognition.
Media Contact
info@internationalloyaltyawards.com
www.internationalloyaltyawards.com