to Success –

Navigating the Design Excellence Awards Submission Process

The Stone Collection team welcomed a diverse group of ASID members in March 2022 to discuss submitting Industry Partner projects for the ASID Design Excellence Awards. Leann Fernald Ornamentation, a multiple award-winning Industry Partner and Director-at-Large, inspired us by sharing her personal experiences and practical, proven tips for entering and winning the competition. Kelly Dunlop, Allied ASID, IP for Cosentino, President-Elect, shared the perspective, “Think of the submission fee as part of a wellspent marketing budget.” The media and marketing exposure alone are well worth it. Award winners are featured in Modern Luxury magazine, recognized at our annual Design Excellence Awards Gala, celebrated at our annual Mix & Mingle event attended by chapter members as well as the public, and featured on our ASID website.

Audience members of all appellations shared their experiences in the hope of creating a level of comfort and confidence for even more members to enter their work year. Some tips include:

• Images are critical, use a qualified professional photographer

• Check the categories, they change each year

• It’s NOT an insider’s game, products/projects are judged by other ASID members across the country

• You can’t win unless you submit, correctly

• Reference the judging criteria while you are creating your submission

“Enter your project if your project qualifies,” was the advice of Jeffrey Bennett, Monterrey Tile. Paula Quan, Associated Sales Decorative Plumbing Inc. and past Director-at-Large reminded us, “Don’t be your own worst critic and talk yourself out of entering.”

We left the meeting excited to submit and share the best of our work and are crossing our fingers in the hopes of taking home a win at the August awards ceremony.

Thank you to our hosts Lauri Howell, Architectural Design Representative, and the hard-working team at The Stone Collection for the amazing breakfast feast, the warm welcome and informative behind- the-scenes tour of this amazing slab and tile showroom.