Place Brand Impact Awards
​Celebrating Places That Make a Difference
Led by Dr. Florian Kaefer, Publisher of The Place Brand Observer (Switzerland), the Place Brand Impact Story Awards 2026 will once again honour places using branding as a tool for real, measurable, and sustainable transformation.
These awards shine a light on the power of place branding to shape identity, build pride, and support regenerative development. Finalists and winners will be selected for their outstanding contributions that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrate impact, innovation, and inspiration.
Join us for the awards ceremony at PLACExNordic 2026 to discover:
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The winning stories that push the boundaries of place branding
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How storytelling, strategy, and sustainability combine to drive change
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What your place can learn from the trailblazers
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Read more: placebrandobserver.com/impact-story-awards
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Looking Back: 2025
Winners Who Set the Standard
During PLACExNordic 2025, the inaugural Place Brand Impact Story Awards were presented. These pioneering winners inspired the international community with powerful stories of transformation.
​ 2025 Winners:
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Place Brand Impact Story of the Year: Royal Djurgården, Stockholm
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Originality Award: Little Tasmanian, Australia
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Florian Kaefer was joined by representatives from Royal Djurgården and Brand Tasmania, who received their awards and shared their journeys of impact.
Royal Djurgården
Winner 2025
🇸🇪 A global benchmark in sustainable place branding, Royal Djurgården brought together 62 attractions to create lasting cultural and environmental impact. By blending heritage conservation with innovative visitor experiences, this initiative redefined what it means to connect sustainability, identity, and tourism.
Little Tasmanian
Winner 2025
🇦🇺 Brand Tasmania’s heartwarming initiative distributed 7,000+ books to newborns across the state, using storytelling to foster early literacy, pride, and a deep sense of belonging. A beautiful example of how brand strategy can strengthen the social fabric from day one.
