Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two of the Midwest’s leading public relations competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards. Two Zapwater team members were also named finalists for the Publicity Club of Chicago’s 30 Under 30 program.

The annual programs recognize communications, public relations and marketing campaigns that demonstrate creative excellence, strategic thinking and measurable results.

Zapwater team members Brooke Weber and Zachary Soper were also named finalists for the Publicity Club of Chicago’s 30 Under 30 program, which recognizes emerging communications professionals whose talent, leadership and contributions are helping shape the future of the industry.

Together, the honors span a diverse mix of clients, industries and communications disciplines, underscoring Zapwater’s integrated approach to storytelling, strategic communications and brand building.

Zapwater’s finalists for the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards are:

• PurposeBuilt Brands – 30 Seconds Makes Outdoor Cleaning Mainstream
• Ace Hardware – Ace Hardware Reimagines Groundhog Day
• Balloon Museum – A World-Class Art Experience
• Hestan Culinary – Innovating Premium Cookware
• PurposeBuilt Brands – From Seasonal Moments to Sustained Leadership
• Skydeck Chicago – Turning Moments into Momentum
• Visit Baja California Sur – Visit Baja California Sur x SI Swimsuit
• Ball Horticultural Company – Wave Gardening Through Geddes’ Lens

Zapwater’s finalists for the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards are:

• Skydeck Chicago – Turning Moments into Momentum
• Visit Baja California Sur – Putting Loreto on the Global Stage with the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
• PurposeBuilt Brands – Turning Seasonal Moments into Sustained Leadership
• PurposeBuilt Brands – Turning Cleaning into Cultural Conversation Through Influencer Marketing
• Ace Hardware – Punxsutawney Phil Predicts: Ace YardRx Is Coming
• Hestan Culinary – Turning Up the Temperature on Innovative Cookware
• Ball Horticultural Company – Celebrating 30 Years of Wave Gardening Through the Lens of Anne Geddes
• Balloon Museum – Launching a World-Class Immersive Art Experience in Chicago
• PurposeBuilt Brands – 30 Seconds Makes Outdoor Cleaning Mainstream

“To be recognized 17 times across two of Chicago’s most respected public relations award programs is a tremendous honor,” said David Zapata, founder and CEO of Zapwater Communications. “These finalist honors reflect the bold ideas, thoughtful strategies and exceptional execution our team brings to every client partnership. We are especially proud to see Brooke and Zachary recognized among the industry’s rising leaders.”

Winners of the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards and the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards will be announced this fall in Chicago.