ABC News’ Gio Benitez to Emcee PRSA-NY’s 2026 Big Apple Awards Gala
There is another great reason to be at Sony Hall on September 17. ABC News’ Gio Benitez will emcee PRSA-NY’s 2026 Big Apple Awards Gala, bringing his warmth, energy and love of a good story to one of New York communications’ biggest nights.
Benitez is co-anchor of the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” and ABC News transportation correspondent, and if you have watched him on GMA, you already know why he is such a good choice for this room. He is smart, engaging and comfortable connecting with people, whether he is covering breaking news, interviewing someone on television or reporting on a complicated story.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Gio Benitez as our emcee,” said Paul Cohen, PRSA-NY president. “Gio is an exceptional journalist and storyteller who understands the power of great stories to inform, connect and move people. He’s a perfect fit for a night celebrating the power of great communications. And anyone who’s watched him on GMA knows he’ll bring tremendous warmth and energy to the room.”
It is also hard to imagine a better match for this year’s Big Apple Awards theme, “Where Stories Move Hearts, Minds and Markets.” Communications keeps changing, and lately it seems to be changing by the minute, but great storytelling remains at the center of the business. The tools may be different and the channels certainly are, but connecting with people still matters.
Benitez joined ABC News in 2013 and today reports across the network’s programs and platforms, including “20/20,” “Good Morning America,” “GMA3,” “Nightline,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” ABC News Live and ABC News Radio.
As ABC News transportation correspondent, he covers aviation, space, railroads and the auto industry, but his reporting career has taken him much further. He has covered some of the biggest stories of the past decade, including the Pulse nightclub shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing and El Chapo’s escape from a Mexican prison, and his investigative work through “GMA Investigates” has contributed to important safety recalls.
Before joining ABC News, Benitez was a reporter and investigative producer at WFOR-TV in Miami, covering the 2012 presidential election, the Trayvon Martin case, Medicare fraud, public safety and government corruption.
A Lot to Celebrate on September 17
The Big Apple Awards have been celebrating great communications work since 1988, and this year’s gala will bring together agency, brand, media and communications leaders for an evening that really does span the profession.
There will be plenty of crystal handed out as PRSA-NY recognizes this year’s standout campaigns and organizations, along with the 2026 Individual Awards honoring some extraordinary careers in communications.
Just as important, the evening will celebrate the 2026 PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Class, recognizing 15 rising professionals who are already making their mark and giving everyone a pretty good reason to feel optimistic about where this industry is headed.
That mix of established leaders, rising talent and terrific work is what makes the Big Apple Awards worth celebrating, and putting all of those people together at Sony Hall should make for a very special New York night.
Having Gio Benitez at the center of it all makes it even better.
The 2026 PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala takes place Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Sony Hall in New York City. Tickets and tables are available, with early-bird pricing through August 31.
2026 PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Sony Hall, New York City
Emcee: Gio Benitez, ABC News
Theme: “Where Stories Move Hearts, Minds and Markets”
Sponsors
The 2026 Big Apple Awards sponsors include Edelman, HUNTER, Burson, MikeWorldWide, 360PR+, Truescope, Davis + Gilbert LLP, Baker Tilly x Anchin, The Museum of Public Relations, D S Simon Media, Coyne PR, Bospar and Notified.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for organizations that would like to be part of the celebration. Contact fays@commpro.biz for more information.
