Event Recap: AEC Award Submissions

SMPS Connecticut presented a panel discussion on AEC Industry Award Submissions moderated by Cathy DeFrances, CPSM, Associate / Director of Business Development  |  Fuss & O'Neill EnviroScience, LLC. Speakers at the Wednesday March 14 afternoon event in Unionville included:

• Theresa M. Casey, FSMPS, CPSM, President/CEO, On Target Marketing & Communications LLC
• Kevin Herrick, AIA, Principal, The S/L/A/M Collaborative
• Susan Labas, CPSM, Senior Associate and Director of Marketing, van Zelm Engineers

The panel discussed a number of relevant topics, sharing their insight and knowledge with attendees. There was a good turnout and the food was excellent!

First steps in submitting for an award:

• Look at the criteria and select the project that best suits the competition.
• Start early, up to a year in advance, and track project metrics.
• Select awards programs and publications that will support your target markets.
• Determine what information you need to gather from the project.
• To identify awards programs, look at what your competitors are doing and ask your clients and consultants.

Getting the whole team on board:

• Be creative! Strategize, give it a theme, and include photography.
• Develop a story. Talk to as many people as you can who are involved with the project.
• Step back, and tell the whole story. The judge is not going to be familiar with your project.

Review of winning project submissions:

• Don’t underestimate the small projects. Those win more than their share of awards.
• Supplemental information can make a big difference, such as letters of recommendation.
• Tell the story with photos, layout, and supporting materials.
• Follow the criteria and structure of the awards.

Additional tips:

• Ask for a debrief when you don’t win. Lessons learned.
• Use large, professional photos and label them.
• The level of quality and care in submissions is rising each year.
• Submit a blend of visuals and text and detail the images to tell the story.
• Entries are judged on the submittal criteria over the design of the piece.
• Follow the word and page count criteria, fitting extra information within the limits.
• Nobody counts the photo captions. These could be used as extra words.
• Take advantage of available award FAQs and webinars.