The 2026 Made in Virginia Awards

Eligibility

• All products must be physically produced or assembled within the Commonwealth of Virginia to qualify.
• Products must be available for retail sale between Nov. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. Online sales are acceptable.
• Each entry must include a physical sample of the product. Entries without a sample will not be considered.
• All entries must be received at Virginia Living’s Richmond office (109 E. Cary Street) by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 22nd.

Past Winners

• Repeat submissions of previously awarded products are not eligible.

• Businesses that have won a Made in Virginia Award prior to 2025 may enter again if:
  • They are submitting a new product that has not received an award in any previous year.

• Winning businesses from 2025 are not eligible to win this year.

Entry Fees

• Early Bird Entry Fee: $25 — available from 10:00 a.m. May 20th through 10:00 a.m. May 21st

• Standard Entry Fee: $35 — available from May 21st at 10:01 a.m. through June 17th at 11:59 p.m.

• All entry fees are final and nonrefundable, regardless of outcome or disqualification.

Product Samples

• A sample of the entered product is required in order to complete your submission and for judging. Samples must be shipped or delivered to:

Virginia Living Magazine
c/o Made in Virginia Awards
109 E. Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219

• Office drop-off hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Items can be dropped off as early as May 22, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

• Samples must be received by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 22nd.
  • Late deliveries may result in disqualification, at the sole discretion of Virginia Living.

• For perishable products, we recommend shipping during the week of June 15th, with clear “perishable” labeling and appropriate packaging to maintain freshness.
  • If your product requires refrigeration or freezing, you must clearly indicate that on your package and include instructions.
  • If your product requires thawing or heating, you must clearly indicate that on your package and include instructions.

• All samples submitted become the property of Virginia Living unless prior arrangements have been made. Products may be used for photography, testing, or promotional purposes in both print and digital media.

Large or High-Value Submissions

For oversized, fragile, or high-value products, entrants may contact Virginia Living editorial staff in advance to discuss delivery or drop-off coordination.

Any such arrangements must be made before June 22, 2026, and must still allow the product to be physically reviewed by judges at our Richmond office, 109 E. Cary Street.

Sample Returns

If you would like your product returned after judging:

• You must notify Caroline Kilborn at [email protected] at the time of submission delivery and confirm a return plan by either:
  • Including a prepaid return shipping label with your sample, OR
  • Arranging to pick up the item in person starting Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Our office hours are 8:30–5:30, M–F.
• All items must be retrieved by July 21, 2026. Items not retrieved by this date become the property of Cape Fear Publishing and no further notice will be sent.
• Virginia Living is not responsible for damages, loss, or deterioration of any samples during transport, handling, evaluation, storage, or return shipment.

No guarantees can be made regarding the condition of returned products.

Judging & Awards

Entries will be evaluated by a judging panel, selected by Virginia Living for their expertise as well as the Virginia Living team. All decisions are final and non-negotiable.

• A total of 20 winning products will be selected—five in each of the following categories:
  • Food
  • Drink
  • Home & Lifestyle
  • Style & Beauty
• One of the 20 winners will be named the Grand Prize Winner, receiving:
  • $1,000 prize
  • A callout in the Made in Virginia Awards feature in the December 2026 issue of Virginia Living
  • A highlight on VirginiaLiving.com
  • Social media highlight across all channels
  • Exclusive rights to the official 2026 Made in Virginia Awards Grand Prize Winner’s badge
• All 20 winners will receive:
  • A feature in the 2026 Made in Virginia Awards print story
  • A spotlight on VirginiaLiving.com and across all social media channels
  • Rights to the 2026 Made in Virginia Awards Winners badge to use on products, packaging, websites, and more
    

Virginia Living reserves the right to limit the number of awards per business to one product per year, even if multiple entries are submitted.

Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash (with the exception of the Grand Prize cash award).

Editorial Use & Rights

By submitting a product, entrants grant Virginia Living ownership of all submitted materials—including products (unless otherwise agreed), product names, promotional copy, descriptions, images—for editorial, promotional, and marketing purposes in any format, print or digital.

Virginia Living retains full editorial discretion over content, layout, and category placement. 

Virginia Living reserves the right to reassign entries to a different category if we determine a better editorial fit.

Agreement to Terms

Submission of the entry form indicates full understanding and acceptance of all rules, guidelines, and disclaimers stated above.

Virginia Living reserves the right to disqualify any entry that fails to comply with these terms or that violates the spirit of the awards.

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