The BIA icon Awards recognizes our industry's most outstanding Builder, Trade and Design Professionals, who have distinguished themselves by working hard to deliver their best each day for the betterment of our industry.

We invite you to nominate qualified candidates and companies, who have distinguished themselves during the period of January 1, 2010 through August 5, 2011, with their contribution to creating quality new single family homes, multi-family residences for sale or rent, specialty and mixed use, office and retail commercial, and/or urban projects within each category below.

Category 1 – Best Architectural Design Company

This award will be judged on the architectural firm's body of work that represents the best in design innovation and creation of value in the community. Judging is based on design appeal and functionality of space. This category includes new single family homes, multi-family residences for sale or rent, specialty and mixed use, office and retail commercial, and/or urban projects. Submit entry form →

Category 2 – Best Interior Design Company

This award will be judged on the interior design firms body of work that represents the best in interior design innovation and product enhancement. Judging is based on creative use of furnishings, space planning and overall concept. This category includes new single family homes, multi-family residences for sale or rent, specialty and mixed use, office, retail commercial, and/or urban projects. Submit entry form →

Category 3 – Best Landscape Design Company

This award will be judged on the landscape firms body of work that represents the best in landscape design. Judging is based on use of hard and soft scape and the enhancement of product or community. This category includes model homes, special use, clubhouse, private residence, commercial and industrial spaces. Submit entry form →

Category 4 – Best Sales/Leasing Office Design

This award will be judged on the sales/leasing office design from a firms body of work that represents the best innovation and creativity in a sales environment. Judging is based on displays, graphics, function and creative use of space. This category includes sales office within a model complex attached or detached, leasing offices, commercial and industrial spaces. Submit entry form →

Category 5 – Best Marketing/Advertising Company

This award will be judged on the agency's scope of work within the building industry. Based on materials developed to gain product interest. Agency can enter samples of graphic design such as brochure, logo, print ad as well as broadcast materials (radio, TV), signage, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blog), and website design. Submit entry form →

Category 6 – Best Public Relations Company

This award will be judged on a PR campaign for a homebuilding company or BIA affiliate, a single development, or a master-planned community. Based on programs, tactics, execution, and message continuity. The use of a blog and/or electronic social media can be included. Submit entry form →

Category 7 – Sales and/or Marketing Manager of the Year

This award is to recognize an individual who demonstrates excellence in the management of sales and/or marketing personnel, has motivated his/her sales team to produce the maximum number of sales and/or is responsible for directing his/her company's marketing/merchandising efforts from January 1, 2010, to August 5, 2011. Submit entry form →

Category 8 – Professional Consultant (Individual) – All Engineers, Environmental & Utility Consultants

All Engineers, Environmental & Utility Consultants Professional consultant or engineer (individual) – civil, structural, geotechnical, traffic, acoustical, environment, utility – whose contribution is over and above what is typical in the industry. For architecture, interior design & landscaping, see Product Design categories #1-4. Submit entry form →

Category 9 – Builder Associate (Individual) – Legal, Financial, Market Research, Title, Escrow, Insurance

An individual in the field of law, finance, market research, title, escrow, or insurance services whose contribution is over and above what is typical in the industry. Submit entry form →

Category 10 – Best Contractor – Off-Site (Company)

Voted to be the best COMPANY as determined by quality, service, safety, scheduling and competitiveness in off-site building operations. Focus will be on what that company has accomplished over and above what is typical in the industry. Special consideration will be given towards specific things done that made the builder/customer better. Submit entry form →

Category 11 – Best Contractor – Rough Trades (Company – up to & including drywall)

Voted to be the best COMPANY as determined by quality, service, safety, scheduling and competitiveness in rough trade building operations. Focus will be on what that company has accomplished over and above what is typical in the industry. Special consideration will be given towards specific things done that made the builder/customer better. Submit entry form →

Category 12 – Best Contractor – Finish Trades (Company – after dryall)

Voted to be the best COMPANY as determined by quality, service, safety, scheduling and competitiveness in finish trade building operations. Focus will be on what that company has accomplished over and above what is typical in the industry. Special consideration will be given towards specific things done that made the builder/customer better. Submit entry form →

Category 13 – Best Construction Sales Representative (Individual)

Voted to be the best sales representative offering construction-related goods or services to the builder. Focus will be on what that individual has accomplished over and above what is typical in the industry. Special consideration will be given towards specific things this individual does to support the builder/customer's success. Submit entry form →

Category 14 – BIA Trade Contractor of the Year (Company)

Must be a nominee for one of the Contractor awards above (#10,11,12). This award winner will be an over-achiever in quality, service, safety and scheduling. Must also be known for BIA causes, voluntary services rendered and charitable efforts. Submit entry form →

Category 15 – Project Manager (Individual)

An individual who oversees the various aspects of home and community development, site design, entitlements, and community team coordination. Submit entry form →

Category 16 – Superintendent (Individual)

An individual responsible for supervising the off-site and/or on-site construction of the residential building process. Submit entry form →

Category 17 – Customer Service Representative (Individual)

An individual (administrator, coordinator, representative or manager) responsible for anticipating and responding to homebuyers' needs and concerns. Submit entry form →

Category 18 – Builder Team – Office (Purchasing, Options, Accounting, Office Manager)

A residential builder team of office personnel responsible for purchasing, options, accounting, and office management working efficiently and in partnership with their consultants and subcontractors. Submit entry form →

Category 19 – Custom Homebuilder/Remodeler (Company)

A custom homebuilder or remodeler that performs their responsibilities beyond expectations and achieves excellence in the pursuit of custom homebuilding. Submit entry form →

Category 20 – Sales Professional or Team of the Year (Individual or Team)

A residential builder individual or team (partner) responsible for selling, closing, customer satisfaction, building referrals, loan financing, follow up, and other aspects related to selling a new home community. Submit entry form →

Category 21 – Marketing and Advertising Campaign (Builder)

Judged on creativity, design, execution and success of materials developed to gain product interest, drive online traffic, onsite traffic and sell homes. Includes some of or all the following: print ads, electronic media, website, blog, PR, mobile, TV, video's, radio, social media, and signage. Submit entry form →

Category 22 – Best Community – Detached (Builder)

This award is based on Architectural Design, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Sales Office Design, Marketing Campaign, and PR Campaign. Submit entry form →

Category 23 – Best Community – Attached (Builder)

This award is based on Architectural Design, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Sales Office Design, Marketing Campaign, and PR Campaign. Submit entry form →

Category 24 – Rookie of the Year (Individual)

An individual who has been in the building industry less than 5 years and accomplished exceptional achievements in their area of expertise. Submit entry form →

Category 25 – Commercial Achievement (Company)

A team working on commercial product that performs their responsibilities beyond expectations and achieves excellence in the pursuit of commercial development. Submit entry form →

Category 26 – BIA Industry Professional of the Year

This individual will be viewed by his or her peers as an outstanding member of the industry and in his/ her community, as evidenced by volunteer efforts, public outreach, and/or extraordinary activities on behalf of the BIA. Submit entry form →

• Nominees in each category must be employed by an active BIA member company in good standing at the time they are nominated and at the time the award is given.
• Nominations in Categories 1-6 and 20-23 must be actively selling a project between January 1, 2010 to August 5, 2011, within the unincorporated areas or cities located in San Diego, Riverside, or Imperial counties.
• Candidate nomination forms must be completed in full. Partially completed forms may result in termination of the nomination.
• Entry forms must be submitted to the BIA office by 12:00 noon on August 5, 2011.
• Judging will be based on the information provided on the nomination forms.
• Multiple nominations are encouraged and acceptable for categories #8-19 and #24-26.
• ALL IMAGES SUBMITTED MUST BE 300 DPI WITH A MINIMUM SIZE OF 1200 X 700 PIXELS

If you have any questions regarding categories #1-7 & #20-23 contact Sue Dowd, Blackbird Interiors at 760-419-7728 or suedowd3@gmail.com.

If you have any questions regarding categories #8-19 & #24-26 please contact Kay Gross, Cornerstone Communities at 858-458-9700 x102 or kgross@cornerstonecommunities.com.