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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 surfacing materials across five categories.
Important Dates
Submissions Open: June 2, 2025
Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025
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 Excellence in Projects Under $100K
Projects submitted must be completed in the commercial sector using surfacing materials that meet the ISFA minimum standard. The project scope must be under $100,000. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Commercial Excellence in Projects Over $100K
Projects submitted must be completed in the commercial sector using surfacing materials that meet the ISFA minimum standard. The project scope must be over $100,000. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
Residential Excellence in Projects Under $20K
Projects submitted must be completed in the residential sector using surfacing materials that meet the ISFA minimum standard. The project scope must be under $20,000. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
 Residential Excellence in Projects Over $20K
Projects submitted must be completed in the residential sector using surfacing materials that meet the ISFA minimum standard. The project scope must be over $20,000. 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 include sustainable materials, 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 surfacing industry.
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 surfacing industry and has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the ideals of the association.
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.
Winners will receive:
- Complimentary registration for the ISFA Annual Conference, where they will be honored with a ceremony.
- A feature on ISFAnow.org and other promotional channels.
- A feature article in Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine with additional coverage in leading industry news outlets and media partners.
- A personalized award for display at your company headquarters or office.
- Official digital assets for self-promotion including competition award winner logos and more for use on your social media channels, website and other marketing materials.
ELIGIBILITY
ISFA Awards are open to all fabricator members. Associate members may submit entries or nominate ISFA fabricators for consideration. There is no cost to enter. Project submissions must have been completed within the previous two (2) 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 November 4-6.
SUBMISSION 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 3-5 quality photos of the project.
- Please include your company name in the file names.
- Consider including stages of the project as well as at least two (2) of the completed works at different angles.
- Full-color images are required.
- High resolution JPEGs are preferred.
- 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 must include captions: a few sentences that describe the photo. Captions should be submitted in a Word document.
JUDGING
An independent panel of industry professionals will select the winners for the five 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.
One winner in each category for the Fabricator of the Year and the ISFA Hall of Fame submissions will be determined by a vote from the association’s board of directors.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN JUNE 2nd
For questions or more information, contact [email protected].
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