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10 Cool Awards Programs to Check Out in the DC Area

We spend a lot of time talking about awards and why they’re important for organizations. An awards program can increase engagement, generate revenue, help retain members and customers, and increase awareness of your organization (among other things).

But sometimes, instead of just reading about it, it’s nice to see these things in real life. So today we’re going to showcase 10 cool awards programs in various industries in the DC area. These programs not only stand out in their industry, but are successfully building their organization’s reputation as well as generating awareness.

1. The Louie Awards – Greeting Card Association

Since 1988, the prestigious LOUIE Awards have recognized the most outstanding greeting cards, invitations, and other announcements within the United States during the preceding calendar year.

Attracting hundreds of annual entries, the LOUIEs are well-known both domestically and abroad, as is the annual gala held in New York City during the National Stationery Show every May.

2. The RAMMYS – Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)

As the #1 Food & Restaurant event for five consecutive years according to BizBash Magazine, the RAMMYS are designed to honor the abilities and accomplishments of individuals and organizations within the Metropolitan Washington restaurant and foodservice community.

Since 1982, the RAMMYS have attracted thousands of attendees on an annual basis while developing a well-known industry presence as a benchmark of success and prestige for nominees and winners alike.

3. Project/Team Awards & Brunelleschi and Leadership Awards – Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)

Recognizing both individuals and projects that deserve recognition, the Project/Team Awards and Brunelleschi and Leadership Awards from the DBIA are designed to reward those that deliver successful projects and offer value, quality, cost, and schedule goals to match.

Specifically, the DBIA also offers Leadership Awards to individuals who exemplify effective design-build practices and promote design-build as a methodology of choice. As such, DBIA rewards those who adopt their project delivery platform, generating organizational awareness across the country and around the world.

4. REMODELING Design Awards – Hanley Wood

Designed to recognize remodeling contractors, architects, builders, developers, planners, specialists, and other professionals, the REMODELING Design Awards are crafted to raise awareness of winners in national publications and articles throughout the year.

With prestigious judges each year from various architectural and construction firms throughout the Washington DC area, entrants enjoy the recognition they want from a renowned industry name like Hanley Wood.

5. Marketing Communications Awards – Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) – DC Chapter

Washington DC is home to countless exceptional marketing firms, and the Society for Marketing Professional Services understands this. And, through their Marketing Communications Awards, their Awards are designed to recognize the best of the best in marketing and communications.

The annual Summer Celebration for the awards ceremony happens in June every year, bringing together the best in the industry to celebrate entrants and winners alike.

6. Washington Contractor Awards – Associated General Contractors of Metro DC (AGC of DC)

Designed to honor exceptional programs from the DC construction area, the annual Washington Contractor Awards is open to all general contractor and subcontractor members.

This year’s 15th Annual Awards are expected to enjoy the same prestigious turnout as the previous 14 years, adding to the organization’s reputation as a resource for the best throughout the Metropolitan DC area.

7. The Cappies – National Capital Area

The Cappies is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of international high school theater and journalism students.

Present in the DC area since 2012, The Cappies have quickly risen in popularity as one of the most prestigious youth awards programs for students and teenage playwrights making a name for themselves.

8. Unbuilt Awards – The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC)

Created to honor excellence in unbuilt theoretical and commissioned unbuilt projects, the Washington UNBUILT Awards Program offers winners exposure and recognition at the District Architecture Center.

Open to all registered architects, landscape architects, planners, interior designers, associate architects, and students in the Washington metropolitan area, anyone can enjoy the prestige of being chosen as a winner by the AIA|DC, an organization that has been around since 1887.

9. Cafritz Awards – The George Washington University

The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Awards is specifically for DC Government Employees who have provided outstanding performance and exemplary service. Since 2000, the Cafritz Awards are given to five individuals annually to recognize their astute professionalism and commitment in the public service sector.

10. The Burton Awards – The Library of Congress

With its 16th Annual Event quickly approaching on June 15, 2015, The Burton Awards are a long-standing awards program designed to recognize prestigious members of the legal, academic, political, and scholarly fields, and their significant accomplishments in law and legal writing.

Growing each year in recognition and esteem, this prominent program is well-suited for the DC area and is patterned after the Pulitzers.

Every organization stands to gain legitimacy, esteem, and recognition through a successfully-run awards program. And, with the right tools and drive, your organization can also establish an industry-wide presence for excellence like these awards throughout the DC area already have.

If you’re not quite sure whether or not awards will make a difference for your program, check out our guide!

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Miriam Hancock

Miriam Hancock
Miriam is the Marketing Coordinator for OpenWater. When she isn't writing and designing content she paints and cooks for her own personal blog.

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