Marketing Communications Categories
 

BRAND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - Comprehensive multi-tactic campaign that takes place over an extended period of time to promote brand awareness of your firm. The campaign must include a combination of tactics and media—print, digital, or multimedia, as well as implementation strategies. Submit a marketing plan describing campaign focus and objectives and any collateral pieces and multimedia aspects of the program. If media relations was part of the campaign, please include releases/media kits/features developed and a list of results. Include photographs of any materials and include a web link to view original digital format components online. 

CORPORATE IDENTITY - A consistent graphic image applied to your firm’s print and/or digital collateral materials for rebranding or new corporate identity treatment purposes. For rebranding entries, submit a before-and-after representative sampling of materials that convey your firm’s corporate identity. For new identity entries, submit a representative sampling of materials that convey your firm’s new corporate identity. Both types of submissions may include logo application such as letterhead, business cards, brochures, newsletters, and note cards. If available, a link to the corporate identity manual or graphics standards should be included. 

DEI COMMUNICATION - Communication efforts, initiatives, or programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes in-house and PR Agency executed communications such as email campaigns, social media campaigns, HR training, HR communications, recruiting/retention communications, and mentoring programs. The target audience can be external (i.e., industry, clients) or internal within the firm (i.e., employees). 

HOLIDAY PIECE (digital or print) - A celebratory piece produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include a greeting card/video, client appreciation gift, calendar, or party invitation. 

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS - Any print or digital communications vehicle intended for an employee audience, including but not limited to a recognition program, awards program, newsletter, or communications associated with mergers, acquisitions, or new business-line initiatives. 

MARKETING COLLATERAL - Print or electronic external marketing collateral. Examples may include a brochure, proposal layout redesign, corporate mailing (print or digital), magazine, report, external newsletter, or book/monograph. 

PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN - A comprehensive, multi-tactic campaign that takes place over an extended period to promote a specific company message, event, program, or project. The campaign must include a combination of tactics and media—print, digital, or multimedia—and implementation strategies. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of your promotional plan describing campaign focus and objectives. Submit a pdf of any collateral pieces and multimedia aspects of the program. If media relations were a part of the campaign, please submit a pdf of releases/media kits/features developed and a list of results. Include a URL to view the original digital format components.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMMUNICATIONS - A program designed to recruit potential and retain current employees through print and/or electronic communications, including but not limited to ads, brochures, form letters, pamphlets, postcards, announcements, social media, and e-mail promotions. Submit a pdf of all the pieces in the communications program. For digital pieces, including a web link to view original digital components online. 

SOCIAL MEDIA - Any marketing effort that utilizes online social media tools to provide a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and user interaction. Platforms can include Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, blogs, podcasts, apps, and other comparable mediums. 

SPECIAL EVENT MARKETING - A print or digital piece produced for one-time use to promote a special event, including but not limited to an anniversary, office opening, dedication, conference, or tradeshow participation (including exhibition materials and booth design), or ground breaking. Submit a pdf of the materials. Include images of the original packaging if possible and include a web link to view original digital components online. Please note: Videos entered under Special Event Marketing cannot also be entered under the video category. 

SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATION - Communication efforts, initiatives, or programs that promotes firm sustainability services, use of sustainable marketing materials or promoting sustainable practices within the office. The target audience can be external (i.e., industry, clients) or internal within the firm (i.e., employees). 

VIDEO - Any video created for pursuing a project or external communication purposes. Submit a web link to view online or in original format. While judges will view video online, please include a document with screenshots/stills from your video for their reference during deliberation. 

WEBSITE - An external website or mobile site that promotes your firm or has been launched by your firm for a specific project. Please specify if your entry is for an external or internal website.

• External: An external, public website that either promotes your firm or has been launched by your firm for a specific project.
• Internal: Internal websites or intranets that have been launched for the purpose of your firm’s internal communications     

Submittal Requirements
Eligibility

• Any materials created after January 2023
• Anyone or any company who was involved in the creation of the materials entered ­– you do not have to be an SMPS member
• If submitting material from a firm where you were previously employed or submitting as a consultant, written permission from the firm must be submitted with the entry

Requirements
        Responses and requirements for each category include:
 

• Creative Brief that describes why your entry should win (350 word max)
• Marketing Objectives (200 word max) 
• Audience (100 word max)
• Market Research and Marketing Plan (250 word max)
• Messaging (150 word max)
• Results (300 word max)

Judging Criteria
Judges are selected for their expertise in marketing and communications as well as their experience in the AEC industry. They will judge and score each entry based on the following criteria:
 

• Creative Brief - 15 Points
• Marketing Objectives - 20 Points
• Target Audience and Research/Planning - 10 Points
• Content Messaging - 15 Points
• Content Deliverable  - 20 Points
• Results - 20 Points

Notification and Next Steps Entrants will be notified in mid to late May if they have scored high enough to qualify as a finalist in a given category. In addition ALL entries submitted will be considered for the following honors, where applicable: 

• Best In-House Design - Work designed by full-time, in-house employee(s) of the submitting firm.
• Best in Show-Small Firm - Work completed by small firm with less than 50 employee(s).
• Best in Show - Judges will select from the first place entries in all categories for the 2025 Best in Show Award.
• People’s Choice - The People’s Choice Award is open to all SMPS Boston 2025 Marketing Communication Award Entrants. To be considered for a People’s Choice award, upload an 24”x36” presentation board file that best represents the contents of your entry. The board will be displayed during cocktail hour and attendees will vote for their favorite entry. An award will be given to the entry that receives the most votes. 

The SMPS Boston Marketing Innovation Firm of the Year Award recognizes an A/E/C firm that generates and implements innovative marketing communications ideas, processes, programs, and/or services that help transform their firm or industry and encourages marketing innovation and adaptation to stay ahead of the competition.

ENTRY SUBMISSION
Complete and submit this nomination form for the candidate employer.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A select group from our panel of judges will determine this year’s recipient based on the candidates’ contributions to their company culture and support of their employees, with a focus on the following areas:
 

• Firm must have three or more current SMPS members employed at any location.
• Must be a firm that’s in the architectural, engineering, and/or construction industries.
• Firm must demonstrate measurable results from their innovative marketing accomplishments that are worthy of distinction
• Firm must have a project that has been recognized for its excellence in marketing and/or communications at the SMPS chapter, regional, or Society level marketing communications awards type competition in the past 5 years.
• Submissions are to be completed by members on behalf of their firm.

Honors an AEC Business Development Professional with at least ten years of business development experience in the industry who has significantly contributed to the success of his/her firm(s) over the course of their career and actively participates in the SMPS Boston Chapter. 

REQUIREMENTS 

• Current or former SMPS Member
• Minimum 10 years of experience
• Current or previous member of SMPS Committee

NOMINEE APPLICATION
      Complete this Nominee Application form. A file including:

• A recent headshot
• Personal statement about what SMPS means to you (300 word max)
• Supporting information to showcase your contributions (3 page max)
• A current resume 
• Letter of recommendation, 1-page max (from someone at your firm, a colleague/mentor/mentee, or SMPS member)

Due: May 2nd 

Once submitted, applications for this award will be active for consideration for 2 award periods. For example, if the application is submitted in 2025 award period, the nominee will be considered for this award in 2025 and 2026 as long as the nominee is eligible in the second period.

JUDGING CRITERIA
A select group from our panel of judges will determine this year’s recipient based on the candidate’s contributions, throughout their career, to their firm’s business development success, using the following criteria:
 

• Been an integral part of the development of the firm’s strategic client-facing business development plan and practices
• Elevated the firm’s efforts through innovative, successful BD strategies, campaigns, and/or initiatives
• Contributed to the growth, visibility, and advancement of the business development profession by fostering involvement in SMPS, including co-workers, staff, and/or colleagues (mentoring)

AWARD
The winner of the Business Development Professional of the Year will receive entry to the 2026 Amplify Conference.

SMPS Boston is seeking qualified and energetic people to take a leadership role in developing and advancing the Chapter’s education, networking, and business development opportunities for its members. This is a great chance to work with current and future Marketing and Business Development leaders. Serving as a Board of Directors member can help advance your career, bring visibility to your firm, and create valuable and lasting connections. The following positions are open on the 2025 – 2026 Board of Directors. 

Normally, each position serves a two-year term, except for the Vice President/President-Elect, who serves a three-year term, rotating through President and Immediate-Past President. SMPS is going through an organization-wide shift to better align the organization’s fiscal year with the calendar year. As we move through this transition, certain active and upcoming terms are being extended to accommodate the shift. Please see the table below to better understand the length of each board term. This is a one-time shift. The next call for nominations to the board of directors will occur in the fall of 2026 and the term will run concurrently with the calendar and fiscal year.

Terms will start on September 1, 2025; however, the incoming board will meet approximately two to three times during the summer for training, strategic planning, and goal setting for the upcoming program year. One of those times will be our Summer Planning session in July. We are seeking to fill the following positions: 

• Vice President/ President Elect* : Term length - 3 years, 4 months (September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028)
• Treasurer: Term length - 2 years, 4 months (September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027)
• Special Events Director: Term length - 2 years, 4 months (September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027)
• Communications Director: Term length - 2 years, 4 months (September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027)
• Operations and Finance Committee: Term length - Must follow SMPS calendar year

*Must have served as the Director or Chair of a committee

For more details on these roles and the selection process, visit our website. With any questions, please contact Molly Romano at mromano@windover.com. 

Individual nominations will be screened and evaluated by the Nominations and Elections Committee according to parameters and procedures established by the Board. A slate of candidates will be selected that the Committee believes represents the best balance for the Board.

All applications are due on Friday, May 9th.

As part of our commitment to providing our members with educational and career growth opportunities, SMPS Boston is proud to offer a range of scholarship opportunities for members at different career levels.

Let SMPS Boston Send YOU to the SMPS National Annual Conference
SMPS Boston is committed to providing extreme value to our members. One way we do this is by offering up to two scholarships for SMPS Boston members to attend the national conference, the premier business development, marketing, and management conference for design and building industry professionals, hosted by SMPS. Apply today and join 1000+ A/E/C firm leaders, marketers, and business developers from around the country for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration.
The conference in August is offering innovative learning formats, exclusive access to thought leaders, exclusive social and peer recognition events for Fellows, CPSMs, and Chapter Leaders to connect and network with their colleagues. The SMPS Boston National Conference Scholarship covers the full cost of registration, valued at $1,299.

Eligibility
You must be an SMPS Boston member in good standing to receive a scholarship. As a scholarship recipient, you commit to writing an article about your conference experience for the SMPS Boston blog by October.

Due Date
This is a rolling application so applications will be reviewed in advance of the event and scholarship recipients will be notified at least one month in advance.