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ISFA Awards
The ISFA Awards is an annual program intended to honor excellence in application design, fabrication and installation of projects using manufactured surfacing materials across nine categories.
Important Dates
Submissions Open: February 1, 2023
Submissions Deadline: June 30, 2023
AWARD CATEGORIES
 Projects must be submitted in one of the categories below. Categories may be renamed, consolidated, or eliminated (and projects reclassified) at the discretion of ISFA or its jurors.
Commercial Solid Surface Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be completed in the commercial sector using a solid surface product which meets the ISFA minimum standard for the material. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Commercial Mineral Surface Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be completed in the commercial sector using a mineral surface material, which includes porcelain or sintered materials. The project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
 Commercial Quartz Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be completed in the commercial sector using a quartz product which meets the ISFA minimum standard for quartz surface material. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Residential Solid Surface Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be completed in the residential sector using a solid surface product which meets the ISFA minimum standard for the material. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Residential Mineral Surface Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be completed in the residential sector using a mineral surface material, which includes porcelain or sintered materials. The project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Residential Quartz Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be completed in the residential sector using a quartz product which meets the ISFA minimum standard for quartz surface material. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Sustainable Project of the Year
Projects submitted must be environmentally focused and completed in solid surface, engineered stone, or mineral surface materials (porcelain, sintered stone, ultra-compact), while exemplifying creativity, ingenuity, innovation and quality through custom fabrication. Projects should include LEED, WELL, Fitwel or other environmental certifications. They should prioritize a positive environmental impact, focus on biophilic design or contribute to the general health and well-being of those who occupy the space. In addition, fabricators must demonstrate prioritization toward environmental conservation in their day-to-day business practices, including but not limited to renewable energy and recycling.
Fabricator of the Year
 The Fabricator of the Year Award recognizes an individual or a fabricator member organization that best exemplifies excellence in business using the ISFA ideals of quality, innovation, character and service to the association and the decorative surfacing industry. Current, active members of ISFA may submit nominations for this award. Self-nominations are accepted.
ISFA Hall of Fame
The ISFA Hall of Fame Award is awarded to an individual who has, during their career, made significant contributions to the decorative surfacing industry and has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the ideals of the association. Current, active members of ISFA may submit nominations for this award. Self-nominations are accepted.
PRIZE
Participants identified in a submission may receive promotional recognition for their involvement regardless of their status. Award winners will be announced at the ISFA Annual Conference in October.
Winners will receive:
- One night’s stay at the ISFA Annual Conference, where they will be honored with a ceremony and receive a physical award
- A feature on ISFAnow.org, SurfacesMagazine.com and other promotional channels including social media and newsletters, at the association’s discretion
- A featured article in Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine with an option for additional coverage in leading industry news outlets and media partners as a result of the association’s official press release
- Official digital assets, including competition award winner logos for self-promotion
ELIGIBILITY
ISFA Awards are open to all fabricators representing successful applications of manufactured surfacing materials. Project submissions must have been completed within the previous two calendar years prior to the entry deadline and comply with all association standards and award category requirements.
Entries for consideration in multiple categories are accepted and encouraged given they meet the criteria. Separate submissions must be completed for each entry.
Entrants should submit their projects with the expectation of attending the Awards Celebration at the ISFA Annual Conference, which is typically held in October.
Important Dates
Submissions Open: February 1, 2023
Submissions Deadline: June 30, 2023
REQUIREMENTS
All entries must be submitted electronically. No hard copy submissions will be accepted. To submit a project for consideration, prepare and send the following:
Written Summary
Submissions must include current contact information including name, address, phone number and email. In addition, include the following information about the project:
- Project title including company name, project type and location (ex. Granite Gallery Residential Kitchen: Tumwater, Wash.)
- Material specification. Include details about which material(s) were used in the project. Be sure to note the manufacturer(s) name and the specific name of the material(s).
- Project description. Include a brief summary that describes the scope of the project and how it qualifies for the award. Include any specific details that tell us why your project meets excellence. (Minimum 50 words, maximum 250.)
- Challenge statement. Describe the application in detail and include technical challenges. (Minimum 50 words, maximum 250.)
- For Fabricator of the Year and Hall of Fame nominations, the written summary should describe how the nominee best exemplifies the ISFA ideals of quality, innovation, character and service to the association and the decorative surfacing industry. In lieu of the photo requirements below, you will be asked to submit a headshot of the individual or company representative.
Photographs
Submissions must include 5-7 quality photos of the project. Consider including lifestages of the project as well as at least two (2) of the completed works at different angles. Full-color images are required. File format must be JPG or the like with a resolution of at least 300 DPI. Files should not exceed 2 MB. Composite images or digital renderings are not allowed. No company logos or text should appear in the images. Images may not be edited to add, remove or alter any aspect or element of the project, including its context. Images should represent the project as it exists in the built environment. Photos will be submitted via a file-sharing service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
Please name your photo files using the following naming convention:
[Company Name] [Project Name] [Category] ##.jpg (where ## denotes which photo this is in the series.)
Examples:
ABCFabrication_OlsenRanch_ResiSolidSurface_01.jpg
ABCFabrication_ColliersBar_CommMineralSurface_01.jpg
Photos must include captions, not to exceed 50 words, that describe the photo. Captions will be submitted via a Word document.
Entry Fees
The cost for submission is FREE for ISFA members. You must be a member to submit nominations for the ISFA Awards. To learn more about membership, click here.
JUDGING
An independent panel of industry professionals will select the winners for the seven project-based awards. Submissions are judged on excellence in all areas of fabrication and installation, including aesthetics, creativity, fit and finish. One winner will be selected in each category. The jury reserves the right not to choose a winner from the entries submitted.
The Fabricator of the Year and the ISFA Hall of Fame submissions will be narrowed to two finalists. These finalists will be determined by a vote from the association’s board of directors. The winners will then be chosen by the general membership; the vote will be held August 1-15.
For questions or more information, contact [email protected].
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