Despite the challenges of Covid-19, businesses and industries are adapting and moving forward. The A&D community is no exception.
While still grappling with major disruptions, most (if not all) publications are forging ahead with their annual award programs.
To help our Spaulding Communications clients and other brands in the industry, we’ve compiled a roundup of several notable industry architect and design awards. For each award, we’ve listed a brief overview, the fee, the deadline date, and some other helpful requirements.
We often ask our clients to consider submitting for industry awards. Many of the awards are with publications our clients are already advertising with. Or, they are magazines we work with for our client’s public relations efforts. Either way, they have an audience demographic or reach that can support a client’s lead generation or brand awareness goals.
Beyond this, they are an excellent way to gain third-party validation. They also bring a significant amount of media and social media exposure; each publication typically features the winners in a print issue and on their social media platforms. Additionally, if your brand is named a winner, that recognition and credibility can be leveraged across all of your traditional and digital marketing efforts, creating even greater brand awareness.
If your organization has introduced or will be introducing a new product, maybe one of these would be a fit for you. We hope this roundup gives you a quick glance at the architect and awards you might consider pursuing.
Architect: 14th Annual R+D Awards
What: Open to design, research, product and technology methods and approaches
Categories: Entries can be for “Prototype,” “Production” and “Application”
Benefits: Winners profiled in July issue, online and in social media
Requirements: Online account and entry; submit abstract (200 words) and support materials
Fee: $225 per entry
Deadline: May 8
Special Note: The awards “value the rigor and persistence behind the solutions to the myriad problems, needs, and opportunities in the industry.”
Details: https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/call-for-entries-architects-14th-annual-r-d-awards_o
Interior Design: 7th Annual HiP Awards
What: Celebrating the industry’s best people and products exhibiting at NeoCon
Categories: All products and industry leaders are available for nomination
Benefits: Winners profiled live June 12 (products) and June 19 (people) and on all ID’s social media platforms reaching 15M+ people; finalists announced June 9
Requirements: Must have planned to exhibit at NeoCon 2020; products must be set for launch between Jan. 2020 and Dec. 2020.
Fee: $200 per entry
Deadline: May 27
Special Note: Winners will be announced during a 2-part live stream ceremony on Interior Design’s Facebook Live.
Details: https://idhipawards.secure-platform.com/a/page/about/aboutHiP
Architectural Products: Product Innovation Awards
What: Showcases products, industry leaders and projects
Categories: 18 categories ranging from “Building Envelope” to “Furnishings”
Benefits: Winners profiled in Nov/Dec issue, online and in social media
Requirements: Online account and entry; must complete about 15 questions; submit high res photos
Fee: $165 per entry
Deadline: June 5
Special Note: Products do NOT need to be new to the market
Details: https://www.readexsurvey.com/pia2020/pdf/pia_overview.pdf
Sample entry form: https://www.readexsurvey.com/pia2020/pdf/sample_product.pdf
The Architect’s Newspaper: 6th Annual Best of Product Awards
What: Highlights new products introduced since Jan. 2019
Categories: 10 different categories from “Lighting” to “Furnishing”
Benefits: Winners profiled Aug. 31 online and in the Dec. issue; total audience reach of 1M+
Requirements: Online entry; 150-word description; technical details; up to 5 photos
Regular Registration Fee: $245 per entry
Deadline: July 23
Special Note: Can not include company name with entry
Details: https://archpaperawards.com/bestofproducts/2020/?menubar
Special Note: Unfortunately, the Best of NeoCon Awards were canceled. However, it appears that Metropolis Likes NeoCon Awards may emerge later this spring or summer. Check back for updates.
Even More Awards to Consider
In addition to the architect and design awards, there are several others in related industries to consider. These include:
Spaces4Learning: New Products Award
What: Recognition of products that specifically improve the learning environment
Categories: Nine categories ranging from “Building Interiors” and “Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment” to “Safety and Security” and “Technology”
Benefits: Winners will be profiled on the website and future print issue
Requirements: Products must be new to the market since June 2019
Fee: $450 for first product
Entry Deadline: May 29
Special Note: Every entry will be included in an upcoming print issue
Details: https://spaces4learning.com/pages/new-product-award.aspx
Buildings Magazine: Product Innovation Award
What: For manufacturers of commercial interior products meeting end-user needs in spaces from corporate, education, hospitality, healthcare, government, and retail
Categories: Building interiors products, including lighting, furniture, seating, and flooring
Benefits: Winners receive coverage in Sept./Oct issue of Buildings and in the Oct. issue of Interiors + Sources; also online and in social media
Requirements: Must complete 3-part questionnaire, submit press release and up to 3 high res photos; product must be available by Dec. 2020
Fee: $379 per entry
Entry Deadline: June 30
Details: https://www.buildings.com/product-innovations-awards
Building Operating Management: 2nd Annual Vision Awards
What: Awards “best in class FM products”
Categories: Seven different categories ranging from “interiors” and “exteriors” to “power” and “lighting”
Benefits: Winners profiled at NFMT Vegas Conference and Expo; in Dec. Issue of BOM and facilitiesnet.com
Requirement: 250-word description; photos
Fee: $175 per entry
Entry Deadline: June 30
Details: https://www.facilitiesnet.com/visionawards/?utm_source=email
Please check back soon, as we will be adding more awards as they are announced online.
If you know of any other awards for the commercial architect and design industry, please let us know.
Happy “Awards Season”!