We're excited to announce that nominations for the IBM Champions class of 2026 are officially opened through November 21!
Every year, the IBM Champions program shines a spotlight on our top advocates amongst our clients and partners, those who go above and beyond to help others succeed with IBM technology. These are the people writing blogs, mentoring peers, speaking at events, leading communities, answering questions and sharing their insights every day in ways big and small.
In this blog, we’ll explore what it means to be an IBM Champion, the impactful work Champions do, how to nominate someone (or yourself), why submitting a nomination makes all the difference, and how you can engage with the IBM Champion network.
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What is an IBM Champion?
IBM Champions are experts in one or more IBM products who actively share their knowledge about those products with others in the tech community. We consider this sharing of expertise and experiences “advocacy”. Champions are selected annually for the recognition and rewards based on the advocacy they've done in the previous year.
Learn what it takes to be an IBM Champion
There are many different types of advocacy, so there is something for everyone to contribute. Many of your everyday activities may count as advocacy! Below you will see examples of advocacy that you may already be doing – or can challenge yourself to try them out to build your advocacy portfolio. Note that to count these activities for your IBM Champion nomination, they should go beyond the scope of your job.
- Represent the voice of the customer by writing product reviews.
- Post and engage on the IBM TechXchange Community or other relevant technical communities.
- Create original technical content on the IBM TechXchange Community in the form of a blog, a forum comment or answer, or documentation (must be a minimum of 150 words). You can also answer questions, build community discourse, or moderate a forum across social or community properties such as LinkedIn, Discord, or Stack Overflow, etc. You can also engage in product-specific communities, such as Cognoise, IDUG.com, or Open Mainframe.
- Create and publish digital content across multiple platforms
- Create (or translate) and publish content about IBM technologies (e.g., blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, case studies, white p apers, and books).
- Start, volunteer for, or manage an IBM User Group or meetup.
- Lead, volunteer for, or manageUser Groups or meetups that focus on IBM technologies.
- Present and co-present at conferences and user group events.
- Present a session on IBM technologies at user groups, webinars, podcasts, or industry events such as IBM TechXchange, THINK, User Groups, or other industry events.
- Provide feedback and product ideas through councils, sponsor-user opportunities, and boards.
- Provide product feedback and/or technical contributions by participating in councils, surveys, sponsor user programs, and alpha/beta testing opportunities.
- Join a customer advisory board to share feedback directly with IBM. Collaborate with peers and influence product direction.
- Bring your great product enhancement to Ideas.ibm.com.
- Submit your best product ideas on Ideas.ibm.com to help improve IBM products and shape future updates and features.
- Act as an experienced user for sales, press, and analyst support.
- Provide quotes, testimonials, and references to support sales and marketing.
- Mentor or coach other technology professionals.
- Support others by mentoring or coaching in the tech community. Share your knowledge and help others grow.
- Contribute your code and technical contributions or volunteer to support new courses and exams.
- Contribute code to or provide other support to an IBM-related open-source projects, such as Hyperledger Fabric, Open Mainframe, or a Call for Code project.
- Support hackathons by mentoring or judging contributions.
- Create and teach an IBM technology-related course or participate in an academic research project about an IBM solution.
- Act as a subject matter expert to create IBM certification exams.
This list is not exhaustive, and if you are doing an activity that you believe should be considered advocacy, reach out to our team at ibmchampions@ibm.com to discuss!
You can start your advocacy journey by joining IBM Rising Champions. Rising Champions is a structured, year-round badging program that supports IBM technology advocates. In exchange for doing advocacy activities, you earn Rising Champion badges, which help strengthen your advocacy portfolio. The program provides resources, mentorship, peer support, and everything you need to set yourself on the path to Champion status. Only a limited number of Champions are selected each year, so earning Rising Champion badges boosts your visibility and strengthens your nomination when Champion nomination season rolls around.
Want to learn more about what it takes to become an IBM Champion? Watch the Champions team on this replay of our webinar.
Explore the benefits of being an IBM Champion
IBM Champions are rewarded for their ongoing advocacy, community contributions, and thought leadership around IBM technologies. Their efforts don’t go unnoticed. Champions receive a range of exclusive benefits designed to recognize their impact and support their continued growth:
- Complimentary tickets to our flagship conferences with VIP “blue jacket” treatment and tickets to share with colleagues.
- Visibility across IBM channels to increase Champions’ eminence, including a profile in the Champions’ directory, interviews for Spotlight features, and offers for speaking opportunities.
- Exclusive opportunities for networking and collaborating in virtual and regional Champion events and private communities.
- Tight connection to IBM product teams and opportunities to shape IBM products in pre-release product briefings.
- Discounts and complimentary access to IBM Training and certifications to support your ongoing skill development.
- Membership in a global network of passionate technologists, fostering collaboration and shared innovation across borders.
- Unique IBM Champion gear to showcase your status at events, meetups, and beyond.
- And more!
These benefits create an environment where Champions can build their network, amplify their eminence, and influence the future of IBM tech, all while contributing to a vibrant and engaging community.
Nominate an IBM Champion: How to do it and why it matters
To submit an IBM Champion nomination, complete the official nomination form.
This form allows you to nominate either yourself or someone else who has demonstrated exceptional advocacy and expertise around IBM technologies. IBMers are encouraged to nominate clients, partners, or collaborators, though IBM employees themselves are not eligible for selection. Champion recognition is tied to the individual and not their organization. That means if a Champion moves companies, their title as an IBM Champion remains!
A strong nomination includes clear evidence of technical expertise (such as certifications) and examples of advocacy that go beyond regular job duties (such as speaking at industry events or contributing to IBM programs). Once submitted, nominations may require additional information, especially if someone else initiated the nomination. Candidates might be considered for intermediate recognition based on their acts of advocacy, such as Rising Champion badges, before advancing to final review. For those who have submitted applications for Rising Champion advocacy badges already this year, your application will be reviewed for IBM Champion status. In addition, we encourage you to submit additional advocacy contributions or complete a separate nomination to provide the most complete view of your portfolio to the selection committees.
A selection committee evaluates each nominee based on consistent or exceptional contributions. The committee focuses on the items you share in your bio, advocacy examples, and other items you list in the nomination form. Be sure to include links to all the sites, profiles, and examples you want them to review. Only a limited number of Champions are chosen annually, making it a highly competitive and prestigious honor. The 2026 class of Champions will be announced in early 2026, so keep an eye out on the IBM Champions webpage for more details!
When we shine a light on Champions, we're shining a light on what makes this community unique: expertise, collaboration, and the drive to share knowledge freely. Champion nominations are your chance to shine a spotlight on those whose contributions have made a difference for you and for our community. If you or someone you know is making that impact, now is the time to celebrate it.
Submit a nomination today!
Engage with the IBM Champion Network
- Curious about what it means to be an IBM Champion? Dive into our IBM Champions Spotlight blogs to explore inspiring stories, technical expertise, and the unique journeys of individuals making an impact across the IBM ecosystem.
- Ready to connect directly? Browse the current IBM Champions Directory to discover thought leaders, innovators, and advocates you can connect with and learn from.
- As you engage across the IBM TechXchange community, look for the conversations and blogs submitted by IBM Champions so you can learn from and share your thoughts with them. Their profiles are indicated with a ribbon.
Champions are catalysts for change. It's not just about knowing the tech, it's about sharing knowledge, sparking ideas, and lifting others up. When Champions speak, teach, write, or mentor, they help entire communities grow stronger and smarter. The ripple effect? That's how innovation spreads, how careers are launched, and how IBM's community thrives. Submit a nomination today to help IBM’s community of Champions grow.