2024 Red Granite Awards
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, April 19!
The Society for Marketing Professional Services of Wisconsin (SMPS WI), the premier AEC marketing and business development association, is pleased to open nominations for the Red Granite Awards, our Marketing Communications Awards (MCA), and the Professionals Award program.
About
The SMPS Wisconsin Red Granite Awards reinforce the Chapter’s mission to support the advancement and achievements of marketing and business development professionals in the AEC industry. This bi-annual competition is the longest-standing, most prestigious awards program recognizing excellence in marketing and communications by professional services firms in the design and building industries. The program mirrors SMPS' national award program but on a local level.
As the official state rock of Wisconsin, red granite was selected because of its vibrant hues and significant presence in Wisconsin's geological formations and economy. Much like the red granite, the program celebrates the industry's brightest trailblazers who raise the bar on performance and excellence.
Eligibility
Award categories are listed below with further details.
- Marketing and communications projects must have been completed between January 2022 and December 2023.
- Any Wisconsin-based AEC firm or SMPS Wisconsin member can nominate a firm for an MCA award.
- Outside consultants utilized to develop materials (i.e., printers, photographers, copywriters, etc.) should be identified in the Nomination Statement.
Entries
We will again use the online platform for your award submissions!
- Online nominations with supporting materials will be accepted through Friday, April 19.
Click below to submit a nomination. 
MCA Categories | Open to all Wisconsin AEC firms and SMPS Wisconsin Member Firms
- Corporate Identity/Brand Awareness (Mixed Media)
The Corporate Identity Excellence Award honors the creation of a cohesive and impactful visual and verbal identity system that effectively communicates a company's values, mission, and brand essence across various touchpoints. Nominations in this category would include:- New Identity: A consistent graphic image applied to your firm's print and digital collateral materials for new corporate identity treatment.
- Rebranding: A consistent graphic image applied to your firm's print and digital collateral materials to rebrand your firm.
- Website: An external, public website that either promotes your firm or has been launched by your firm for a specific project
- Intranet: Internal websites or intranets launched for your firm's internal communications.
- DEI Communication:
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications award recognizes outstanding initiatives that effectively communicate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations or communities. Winners demonstrate innovative strategies that foster understanding, empathy, and meaningful engagement across diverse audiences. - Holiday Piece
A digital, print, or mixed media piece related to the holidays. Nominations in this category would include:- Holiday (Digital): A digital piece produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include but are not limited to e-cards, websites, web apps, and videos.
- Holiday (Print): A print piece produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include but are not limited to greeting cards, party invitations, client appreciation gifts, or calendars.
- Holiday (Mixed): A combination of both print and digital work produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include but are not limited to greeting cards, party invitations, client appreciation gifts, or calendars.
- Project Pursuit Marketing (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
An item or series of items developed in support of winning a project. Materials may be print and digital, including qualifications packages, proposals, presentations, interview tools, leave-behinds, or other pieces contributing to the total effort. - Promotional Piece/Campaign (Digital, Print, or Mixed):
The Promotional Piece Excellence Award recognizes innovative and effective marketing materials, including ads, brochures, direct mail pieces, etc., that skillfully capture attention, communicate a message, and drive meaningful engagement with the target audience. - Social Media
Any marketing effort that utilizes online social media tools to provide a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and user interaction. This can be one platform or combination of platforms. Specify the type on the entry form: Basic (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), Blogs, and Podcasts. - Special Event
The Special Event Excellence Award celebrates exceptional planning, execution, and creativity in delivering memorable and impactful experiences that captivate and engage attendees. This may include digital, print, or mixed media. Pieces produced were for one-time use to promote a special event, including but not limited to the anniversary, new name, office opening, dedication, or groundbreaking.
Professional Awards Categories
- Red Granite Award (SMPS Member)
The Red Granite Award is the most prestigious recognition by SMPS Wisconsin, recognizing an SMPS Member who demonstrates high professionalism in marketing services for the built environment. This individual must have achieved prominence in the industry and the community, managed and led their firm's internal and external marketing efforts, demonstrated integrity and character of the highest order, advanced and improved standards of marketing professional services, and performed successfully in this visible, results-oriented role.- The nominee must be a current or past SMPS member with active, local Chapter participation.
- The nominee must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in the AEC industry.
- The nominee cannot be a current SMPS Wisconsin Executive Board member.
- Marketer of the Year (Wisconsin AEC Firm Member)
The nominee should be recognized by others as one who stands out in marketing and communications in the Wisconsin AEC industry and has significantly contributed to promoting professionalism. Chapter members and non-members are invited to submit the name of a member within their firm who meets these criteria. - Business Developer of the Year (Wisconsin AEC Firm Member)
The nominee should be recognized by others as one who stands out in business development in the Wisconsin AEC industry and has had significant success in securing professional services work. Chapter members and non-members are invited to submit the name of a member within their firm who meets these criteria. - Rising Star of the Year (Wisconsin AEC Firm Member)
This award is presented to a rising star who is new to the chapter/or the Wisconsin AEC industry and who, through their achievements to date, has demonstrated great potential as a consummate AEC marketer or business developer. Chapter members and non-members are invited to submit the name of a member within their firm who meets these criteria. - Member of the Year (SMPS Member)
This award is given to an SMPS member who has made a difference to the success, reputation, health, or function of the Chapter in the past year. This person can be a committee volunteer, committee chair or co-chair, or member of the Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you don’t get any nominations for a category?
What if we receive one nomination in a category?
Who picks the award winners?
Can I nominate an individual for more than one professional award category?
Yes, you can nominate a person for multiple awards.
I don’t want anyone to know I nominated them. Can I keep my name off the nomination form?
How much does it cost for me to submit a nomination form for a Red Granite Award?
How are nominees notified?
These letters are sent via email to the address you provide on the nomination form.
