The Alliance of Area Business Publishers (AABP) presented its annual Editorial Excellence awards to newspaper and magazine business periodicals at the closing celebration of its three-day annual Summer Conference on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Ottawa, Canada.
AABP conducts an Editorial and Design Excellence Competition annually. The competition is coordinated and judged by faculty in the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The purpose of the competition is to encourage a high level of journalistic performance and service to communities by recognizing editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in regional business publications.
Bronze: Florida Trend; “Wilderness Trap”; Gary Bernloehr, Jason Morton The judges said: Outstanding photography of interesting people and places provide this feature with a clear visual hero. Portraits and secondary locations are consistently beautiful, contributing to a heightened sense of visual storytelling that underscores the need for preservation. The type, color, and design play a supporting role, adding sophistication and simplicity. Silver: Florida Trend; Gary Bernloehr, Jason Morton The judges said: Each element of this entry showcases the excellent display of photography and illustrations. A highlight is the section featuring portraits and nature, posing a fun challenge for the photo editor in pairing images effectively. “Big Weed” demonstrates how the team gains access to visually compelling situations. The photos are surprising and insightful, while cover portraits and illustrations are both powerful and fun. Gold: “Florida Trend Health Care”; Will Gorham, Aimée Alexander, Robb Lee The judges said: The simple and clear design allows headlines to stand out and draw in the reader, accentuated when appropriate by special or exclusive content tags. The newsletter highlights health issues of significant local impact and relevance to its readership. Bronze: “Daily Pulse”; Will Gorham, Aimée Alexander, Robb Lee The judges said: Simple and to the point, this daily summary respects the reader’s time. Headlines and summaries provide just enough context to inform, with options to explore further. The editorial choices reflect a strong awareness of reader priorities and interests. Gold: Florida Trend; “Wilderness Trap”; Brittney Miller, Associate Editor The judges said: In response to a proposal to expand wilderness protection in Big Cypress National Preserve, this piece explores why various stakeholders opposed it. The result is an authoritative, well-documented, and beautifully written account of legal, political, biological, and deeply personal issues. The accompanying photography is stunning. Gold: Florida Trend; “Triumph and Tragedy”; Michael Fechter, Associate Editor The judges said: This profile balances the tragedy of Kathleen Passidomo’s husband’s death with a warm narrative of bipartisan leadership. Emotionally resonant and richly sourced, the piece reflects on themes of legacy, leadership, and resilience. Silver: Florida Trend; “Editor’s Page”; Amy Keller, Executive Editor The judges said: Covering topics like cybersecurity and home repair fraud, the author uses anecdotes and relatable examples to connect with readers. These commentaries go beyond reporting—they resonate on a personal level, much like a candid conversation at the water cooler.Best Feature Layout – Magazine
Best Use of Photography/Illustrations – Magazines
Best Specialty E-Newsletter
Best Daily Email
Best Feature Single Story (Large Publication)
Best Profile on a Person or Company (Large Publication)
Best Bylined Commentary (Large Publication)
Florida Trend Executive Editor Amy Keller accepts an award at the AABP awards in Ottawa, Canada.
- Press Release