We have a wide choice of awards across our industry to celebrate and recognize the excellent work of our people and our companies. Are you or your firm thinking about submitting your best projects for well-deserved recognition this year? But maybe the process seems too daunting, or you don’t know where to start? Have you submitted in the past, but want to learn more about how the judges review submissions? If so, this program is for you!

To help guide you through the process of developing a winning awards submission, we have assembled an experienced group of professionals who have created and managed award programs, as well as submitted successful award entries.  Our panelists will offer their insight into the why, who, and how of managing and crafting competitive award entries.

What you'll learn: 

• The benefits of applying for awards
• Tips and tricks for writing a successful application
• What judges look for
• How to leverage your win

How you'll do more business:
You will be exposed to other career professionals active in their communities and learn from their experiences.

Who you'll meet:
Professionals from many fields of the AEC industry, including engineering, architecture, and construction.

CPSM CEU's: 1.0
Domain: 5 - Promotions

Featured Speakers

Sasha Ugi serves as a Vice President for Croy, a Georgia-based consulting firm with offices across the Southeast. She leads the strategic direction and oversight of the firm’s marketing efforts, as well as supports internal operations and communications. Her responsibilities include identifying and applying for award nominations on behalf of both the firm and key individuals. Prior to joining Croy, Sasha worked with ACEC Georgia and led the organization’s Engineering Excellence Awards program for four years. 

Sasha serves on the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality (GPTQ) Preconstruction Design Awards subcommittee, which is a joint initiative of ACEC Georgia and the Georgia Department of Transportation. She and her fellow committee members judged and awarded projects across ten different categories in 2021 and 2022.   

Jennifer Head serves as the Director of Membership & Programs for ACEC Georgia. In that role, Jennifer serves as the primary liaison for ACEC’s members, oversees member recruiting and retention, and manages the planning and implementation of ACEC Georgia’s events including the Georgia Engineering Awards, Georgia Engineers Summer Conference, and the Georgia Transportation Summit. 

Jennifer's understanding of the business of engineering and the specific interests of ACEC Georgia Member Firms is enhanced by her background working in development and construction since 2006. She has also worked exclusively for non-profits since beginning her career in 1999.

Molly Dall’Erta is the Director of Member Recognition and Programs for the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). In association management since 1994, she has been on staff at SMPS for the past 22 years. She manages the SMPS recognition programs and awards that showcase the work of its members professionally and in their leadership of the Society. She oversees the SMPS Marketing Communications Awards, which is celebrating its 46th anniversary this year. On average, the competition receives 300+ entries submitted by 200+ firms.

Erik Grandowski is Vice President of Marketing & Development with Keck + Wood. For more than 30 years, Erik has participated in the successful….and not so successful development of award and recognition packages across each sector of the A/E/C industry. 

Utilizing his diverse career experience in architecture, business, communications, graphic design, and marketing, Erik enjoys collaborating with designers and professionals to harness their efforts to gain recognition on local, regional, and national platforms. He views awards and similar pursuits as the premiere opportunity to craft a special story which deserves to be shared. Although his experience is multi-faceted, Erik’s real passion is squeezing the most benefit out of the award efforts through proactive marketing practices. 

Erik received a business degree from Oglethorpe University, and serves as a Board Member & Vice President at Keck + Wood Engineers. He focuses his attention on organizational change, strategic planning, relationship development, persuasive marketing and communications.

Ken Higa, AIA, NMA, IIDA, LEED AP, is an Associate Principal at The Beck Group. He is a registered architect with many years of experience in designing facilities for higher education. Equally passionate about business, professional practice and marketing, Ken has also previously held business development and marketing positions in the AEC industry and earned an MBA from the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. 

With his combined experience as an architect and marketing professional, Ken has successfully led design award submissions programs for the last several design firms he has been with and served as the Chair of the 2021 AIA Miami Design Awards Jury.

Ken is the recipient of the 2022 AIA Georgia Bronze Medal, 2022 AIA Atlanta James Fausett, FAIA Service to the Profession Award and was awarded the 2021 SCUP Distinguished Service Award. Ken received a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Building Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

event sponsorship

Event sponsorship opportunities are available! 
For additional information, please contact Susan Johnson, CPSM at [email protected].

SMPS Member Firms - $100
Non-Member Firms - $150

Sponsorship includes:

• Two complimentary tickets for the event
• Opportunity to deliver a 1-minute verbal company infomercial at the event
• Logo displayed on the event page of the chapter website
• Logo featured prominently on all event promotions materials including emails

EVENT CHAMPIONS