The IBM Champions programs are represented by a global community of the most passionate, loyal, and talented IBM customers and partners: they are advocates, experts, and thought leaders.
Who are Champions?
Champions are at the pinnacle of expertise and advocacy: these individuals are exceptional in their commitment to paying forward their knowledge and experiences. They share with the larger technical community in the hopes of guiding buying decisions, inspiring innovation, shaping IBM product development, educating new generations of users, and deepening community growth.
Each one combines deep knowledge across IBM products and technologies with the drive to help and support others.
What does it take to become a Champion?
Expertise in IBM technology and the drive to share your knowledge to help others. That’s what it takes to join.
Demonstrate your technical talent and your enthusiasm to share knowledge with others in one or more of these activities: speaking at conferences and events; supporting user groups and community; creating articles, videos, and other spotlights; providing product feedback to IBM development teams; mentoring and teaching upcoming technologists; or supporting IBM with references and reviews.
If this is work you’re already doing, then you could be on the pathway to a future Champion nomination.
How the program works
You (or someone you know) are already doing the work: creating content, speaking at conferences, starting and running user groups, and much more.
You submit an application (or a referral) that gives us the details and evidence about your expertise and all the great advocacy work you are doing.
The program reviews submissions year round to issue advocacy badges. During evaluation season, we also review candidates for Champion status.
The committees review and select eligible candidates for badges. Top advocates may earn Champion status based on their ongoing and exceptional contributions.
The new class of Champions is named each new year. Advocacy badges are issued monthly and may be earned annually.
You might be a future Champion, but you don't have to wait until evaluation season. You can get started with the IBM Rising Champions Advocacy badge program.
Benefits of the program
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From enhanced and highlighted profiles to VIP treatment at events, Champions earn recognition, gratitude, and rewards for their advocacy contributions.
Membership in the program also earns important benefits, designed to enhance professional development and eminence.
Access to pre-release product briefings and advocacy opportunities with IBM
Champions programs offer a range of connection opportunities with our product and development teams including product briefings, opportunities to join advisory boards, or provide new ideas to product enhancements.
Conferences and events
Champions are the VIP guests at our flagship conferences, with complimentary passes, special gifts (have you seen the jackets?!), and exclusive experiences. Of course, you'll also recieve invitations and discounts to other IBM and industry events worldwide.
Learning and certifications
Keep your skills and expertise in good shape with discounts and complimentary access to IBM learning and certifications.
Gifts and gear
Show off your status and get recognized at industry and IBM conferences, user group meet-ups, and sometimes in airports, with our unique logo gear.
Program recognition
IBM Champions promote their status by sharing digital badges with their social networks, in their blogs, and on their websites. These industry recognized credentials are issued by Credly, independently verified, and industry reognized. Other opportunities to highlight their status include ribbons on community profiles, spotlight interviews, sharing their content, and more.
We celebrate the highest achievements of technical experts, who have contributed their time and talent to advancing the technical community. They are selected for their demonstrated commitment to 'paying it forward' through their extensive acts of advocacy over the previous year.
Champion 2026
Champion Lifetime Achievement
Interested in starting your pathway to become a Champion? You can get started by qualifying through the IBM Rising Champions Advocacy badge program .