Social Fest Announces the Inaugural RGV Creator of the Year Award

Nominations open August 27. Winner crowned live on stage November 13, 2026.

McALLEN, TX, August 27, 2026 — Social Fest, the social media and creator conference born in the Rio Grande Valley, today announced the creation of the RGV Creator of the Year Award, the first honor of its kind dedicated exclusively to a creator rooted in South Texas.

The award will be presented on November 13, 2026, as the closing moment of Social Fest 2026 at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, TX.

"The RGV has always had world-class creators. They just haven't always had a stage. This award changes that. We're not bringing an award to the Rio Grande Valley, we're building one from it." — Yaw Sam, Co-Founder, Social Fest Experience.

Nominations are open now through September 21st, 2026. Any creator based in the Rio Grande Valley is eligible; there is no minimum follower count.

The winner will be selected through a process combining public voting and an independent judging panel, and announced live on stage at Social Fest on November 13, 2026.

For full details, eligibility requirements, and to submit a nomination, visit socialfestcreatorawards.com.

About Social Fest

Social Fest is the Rio Grande Valley’s premier social media and digital marketing experience, a two-day event built for the modern creator, entrepreneur, and brand builder.

Hosted in South Texas on November 12–13, 2026, Social Fest brings together world-class speakers, breakout sessions, live podcasts, interactive panels, and unforgettable networking moments to inspire and equip anyone looking to grow their influence and impact online.

Social Fest exists to empower small-town creators, culture-driven brands, and underrepresented voices by giving them access to real strategies, real resources, and real people who’ve done it and are still doing it.