And they’re off!

This year, the MCA Awards are heading to the winner’s circle with our theme: The Triple Crown, where strategy, creativity, and results race neck and neck for marketing glory. The Triple Crown is the premier achievement in American horse racing, awarded to a 3-year-old Thoroughbred that wins three prestigious races in a single season: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. This grueling feat, which takes place over five weeks, has only been accomplished by 13 horses in history.

In the world of AEC marketing, it takes more than one great idea to win. It takes stamina to build momentum, precision to navigate every turn, and the power to surge ahead when it counts. The Triple Crown isn’t about a single strong finish...it’s about dominating the entire track.

The MCA Awards celebrate campaigns and creative work that rise above the competition by mastering three essential elements: bold strategy, breakthrough creativity, and measurable results. It’s not enough to run a good race. The true winners lead from the gate, navigate every turn with precision, and finish strong.

This year’s theme, The Triple Crown, honors the teams and brands that demonstrated sustained impact across every channel and touchpoint. From brand awareness to corporate identity, from media relations to integrated campaigns, these awards recognize those who didn’t just participate - they performed at the highest level.

Because in marketing, as in racing, the Triple Crown isn’t given.  It’s earned.

Marketing Communications Awards Categories 2026

Run for the Roses

• 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. 

Silks & Signage Award

• 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. 

The Unity Cup

• 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). 

The Festive Furlong

• 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. 

The Jockey's Circle

• 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. 

The Winner's Packet

• 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. 

The Starting Gate Splash

• 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.

Stable Strength Award

• 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. 

The Social Stakes

• 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. 

Derby Day Experience

• 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. 

The Green Garland

• 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). 

Photo Finish

• 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. 

Grandstand Digital

• 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.

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

The Paddock Showcase

• PROJECT PURSUIT MARKETING - Marketing materials created specifically to support a project pursuit or proposal effort. This may include proposals, qualification packages, presentations, leave-behinds, interview materials, or other customized content developed to help secure a specific project or client. 

The Roses Champion

• TRADESHOW MARKETING COLLATERAL - Marketing materials developed for use at trade shows, conferences, or industry events. This includes booth design and graphics, signage, printed collateral, promotional items, digital displays, or other materials intended to promote your firm and engage attendees.

Submittal Requirements Eligibility

• Any materials created after January 2024
• 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 2026 Best in Show Award.
• People’s Choice - The People’s Choice Award is open to all SMPS Boston 2026 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. 

Honors an AEC Marketing Professional with at least ten years of marketing 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 as a member in the SMPS Boston Chapter.

REQUIREMENTS

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

ENTRY SUBMISSION   Complete and submit this nomination form for the candidate you wish to be considered for this honor. Your name, as nominator, will not be revealed to the nominee. Once this form has been submitted and approved, the nominee will receive notification and be asked to complete a different entry form.

Due:  Sunday, April 5, 2026   

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 the firm’s marketing and business development success, using the following criteria:

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

AWARD   The winner of the Marketing Professional of the Year will receive entry to the 2027 Amplify Conference.

Honors an AEC Business Development Professional with at least ten years of marketing 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

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

ENTRY SUBMISSION   Complete and submit this nomination form for the candidate you wish to be considered for this honor. Your name, as nominator, will not be revealed to the nominee. Once this form has been submitted and approved, the nominee will receive notification and be asked to complete a different entry form.   

Due:  Sunday, April 5, 2026

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

• Been an integral part of the development of the firm’s strategic client-facing business development plan(s) 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 marketing 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 2027 Amplify Conference.

Emerging Professional of the Year award recognizes an emerging leader who has demonstrated leadership, exceptional contributions in the SMPS Boston Chapter and who has been an SMPS member for a minimum of three years of A/E/C work experience.      REQUIREMENTS

• Nominee must be a current SMPS member for a minimum of three years
• Minimum of three years of A/E/C work experience years A/E/C work experience
• Must demonstrate work and accomplishments outside their normal scope of work (professional development and volunteer contributions) that are worthy of distinction
• Must be employed by a firm or agency that’s A/E/C focused

Nominations Due: Sunday, April 5, 2026   

JUDGING CRITERIA   A panel comprised of the SMPS Boston Executive Committee will determine this year’s recipient based on the candidate’s contributions, committee participation, and overall involvement in the SMPS Boston Chapter.   

AWARD   The winner of the Emerging Leader of the Year will receive an SMPS NERC registration. 

Honors a new SMPS Boston Chapter Marketing Professional with less than two years of membership who demonstrates a high level of commitment and enthusiasm.      REQUIREMENTS

• Active SMPS Member
• Member of SMPS-Boston for less than two years

Nominations Due: Sunday, April 5, 2026

 JUDGING CRITERIA      A panel comprised of the SMPS Boston Executive Committee will determine this year’s recipient based on the candidate’s contributions, committee participation, and overall involvement in the SMPS Boston Chapter.   

AWARD   The winner of the New Member of the Year will receive entry to the to the 2027 SMPS Boston Bootcamp or 2027 NERC Conference. 

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.

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.