The Call for Entries for 2023 is already up at www.cfaconcretepros.org, where you are encouraged to download the submittal form for completion. Entries are open to any member of the Concrete Foundations Association, and it is free to submit an entry. Not yet a member? There is a quick and easy application for membership online, or you can sign up for membership by contacting Association headquarters.

Once you have downloaded the submission form, you select the project type and provide contact information. Then there are three key areas of information for the project your team will want to consider. The amount, accuracy, and quality of this information will often make the difference in whether or not a project becomes an honorable mention, ascends to the winner in a category, or becomes the Overall Grand Project of the Year.

Tales of the Tape

Stemming from its history of presenting the biggest, “baddest,” and most complicated project of the year, the first section you will complete for the project is that of specifications. These basic statistics allow for quick comparison within the numerous categories available for projects and show the reason why you have chosen to submit the project. Remember, tiny foundations do not compete against McMansions, and commercial foundations do not compete against above-grade homes, etc.

Narrative for Your Work

Every project has a story that numbers cannot uncover. A series of questions prompts you to think uniquely about the project, your approach, and the hurdles you overcame, and encourages you to reflect on all participants’ satisfaction with the final results. This information can be written as succinctly or elaborately as necessary to capture the feeling you would like the viewers to have.

Graphic Evidence of the Work

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and every award begins with the pictures. As the availability of drones, 4K smartphones, and even video has become more pervasive through our culture, many contractors have upped the game when it comes to photographing the work they do week in and week out. As a project of significance begins to unfold, it is of great value to have a plan on how you will market your work—which leads to great award submittal records. There is a recommended minimum of three to four images for each project submittal, and no maximum amount. Companies who have shot and submitted video often find their footage becoming part of additional Association promotion moments, such as being used as a featured clip at World of Concrete.

The biggest part of the award submittal process is taking the first step. Which project are you, your crew(s), your customer, and possibly the project owner most satisfied with? Which project gives you reason to be confident in the year ahead? These are the kinds of projects that make up CFA’s Projects of the Year built by #CFAConcretePros.