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Excellence in Construction Innovation Award

2026 application period is now closed. Check back in May 2026.

AWCI’s Excellence in Construction Innovation Award recognizes groundbreaking innovation and products that have significantly impacted the wall and ceiling industry.

Dates to Know

Application Opens: May 20

Application Due: July 22

Judging Begins: August 1

Announcement of Winners:
March 2026 during BUILD26

Fees

$150 per entry

Payment is required at the time of application submission for each entry.

Innovation Award Process

Please review below the Innovation Award process from eligibility to winner announcements. 

All submissions must include the following:

  • Completed application
  • Application fee: $150/entry
  • Three customer testimonials that includes how the innovation
    • improved productivity
    • increased scope of work 
    • reduced materials used 
    • improved safety and/or decreased construction costs.
  • Online video link to the innovation – optional
  • Product literature – optional
  • Photos – optional
    • The photo file format should be .png or jpeg (.jpg)
    • Minimum dots-per-inch (DPI) requirement is 300 DPI for print
    • Size: 2550 pixels wide x 3300 pixels high (minimum)

Submission of materials grants permission for unrestricted promotional use by AWCI. This includes but is not limited to awards program publicity and publication in association, industry and other media.

The application period closes on July 22 at 8:00 pm ET.

View a sample application. 

  • Only one submission per company allowed.
  • The innovation will have been used in the wall and ceiling industry for at least one year and not longer than three years.
  • The innovation does not have to be unique to the wall and ceiling industry.
  • The company that produces the innovation must be a current AWCI member in good standing during the submission period and at the time of award presentation.

Scoring

AWCI’s Excellence in Construction Innovation Award Evaluation Criteria

Judges will evaluate the nominations based on the following:

  • The innovation improves productivity in the wall and ceiling industry.
  • The innovation enables wall and ceiling contractors to increase their scope of work.
  • The innovation results in reduction of materials used.
  • The innovation increases safety in the workplace.
  • The innovation generates LEED points.
  • The innovation decreases the cost of construction.

AWCI’s Excellence in Construction Innovation Awards judges are all employed with AWCI member companies and volunteer on the AWCI Awards Committee.

The Innovation Award winner will be announced at the AWCI’s Excellence Awards Presentation during BUILD26: AWCI’s Convention + Expo, March 15-18, 2026, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana.

For all inquiries, contact Janie Hakim.

Get more information on all AWCI Awards here. 

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