Mt. Vernon, Iowa (October 10, 2013) — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the voice and established authority for the residential concrete industry – has announced the call for entries for the “2014 Projects of the Year” competition.  The Projects of the Year is a free, competition for members of the CFA providing evidence of the continued excellence and professionalism found in a traditionally unrecognized or underappreciated industry.

Entering its eighth year as a program that represents achievements across the full spectrum of work completed by members of the CFA, members will have their work presented during the World of Concrete and online at www.cfawalls.org for the general industry and public to evaluate.

“The Project of the Year competition is one of the least utilized benefits for CFA members,” states Ed Sauter, executive director of CFA.  “Originally the program sought only to find the toughest and most challenging project for that year.  Now the program seeks to validate the work of the entire industry by offering multiple awards in many categories. Receiving a Project of the Year recognition honors the commitment to quality and professionalism for the contractor and has proven to be a key component to their marketing for the year ahead.”

Winners of this competition establish a variety of marketing efforts to promote their accomplishment.  Each winning entry receives a Corian plaque with a metal plate etched image of the project.  Some companies purchase copies of this plaque for their customer(s) and key participants.  Recipients receive a copy of the national press release for use in their own local media.  Nationally, the award recipients are touted by a half dozen professional publications each year including Concrete Contractor, Concrete Construction, Concrete Homes, Concrete International and more.  Pride is also established through company newsletters, email signatures and on corporate websites.  At www.cfawalls.org, recipients have a permanent presence and each project is featured in detail.

“Technology remains one of the biggest issues in our industry.  With the numerous advancements that have been made, the poured wall industry evidences contractors completing complex projects more regularly and more efficiently,” said Sauter. “Year after year, the projects submitted express a balance between complicated designs and conditions with planning and creative thinking from these contractors.  Truly diversity is on display through this program.  With the increased focus we have created on technical and business competence, exposing the industry to the craftsmanship that exists is of utmost value.”

Cases in point are the winning structures from last year’s competition that ranged from a 11,000 sq.ft. cliff-dweller to a basement of a mere 1,200 sq.ft.  Also recognized was a 3,750 sq.ft. concrete lake home and a multi-family townhome complex, also dwelling at the top of a cliff, demonstrating the wide diversity that exists in expertise from CFA contractors.

Winning Above-Grade Concrete Home entry by Basement Contractors of Edmund, Oklahoma

Winning entry for Single-Family Residence < 2,000 sq.ft. by Doggett Concrete Construction of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Overall Grand Project and Winning Entry for Single-Family Residence over 5,000 sq.ft. by Ekedal Concrete & Masonry of Newport Beach, California.

Winning entry for Single-Family Residence 2,000 – 5,000 sq.ft. by Herbert Construction Company, Marietta, Georgia.

Winning entry for Multi-Family/Commercial Project by MPW Construction Services of Wellington, Ohio.

Is your business concrete foundations or above-grade concrete structures with removable concrete forms?  If so, you should take advantage of this unique industry opportunity to display your work to the industry.  To enter a project in this year’s competition, you must be (or become) CFA Contractor member with an active status. Non-members do not qualify for the awards program. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 15, 2013.

Categories for the year include the following:

• Single Family < 2,000 sq.ft.
• Single Family 2,000 to 5,000 sq.ft.
• Single Family > 5,000 sq.ft.
• Commercial / Multi-Family
• Non-Wall Structural Element
• Above-Grade Home

 Voting is based upon many qualifications including the advancement of the use of concrete foundation technology. Attention to significant footing details, outstanding wall features, such as curved walls, columns, complex corners, etc., and the overcoming of any complexities or challenges along the way are all basis for consideration. Voters will also look for any special materials used or new and innovative advancements.

Once again, the contractor network of the CFA, who understand the market because they are members of the industry, will judge the competition.   Voting takes place at the CFA’s booth location in the Central Hall (C4637) during the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Jan. 21-24, 2014 in Las Vegas and online at www.cfawalls.org beginning January 1st.

Free registration to the World of Concrete exhibits and seminar discounts can be obtained from the CFA website or through their various media sources with the code A30.

The rules and categories for submission can be found on the CFA website