Each year, ABC Wisconsin honors outstanding construction projects at the annual Projects of Distinction Banquet. This event celebrates the exceptional work completed by ABC Wisconsin members and gives companies the opportunity to showcase how their expertise translates into high-impact, award-winning projects.
All contractors are encouraged to participate. Awards are based on a scoring system rather than direct competition against peers, meaning multiple projects can earn top honors in each category.
The Process
To participate, companies must submit projects completed between October 2025 and September 2026. The application process includes the following steps:
- Submit an Intent to Compete Form
An Intent to Compete form must be completed for each project you plan to enter. The submission fee reserves your spot and initiates the application process. The form will open on June 1, and may be found by visiting the Projects of Distinction page on the ABC website. - Gather Project Information
The project submission form requires detailed information about your work, including:
- Safety documentation
- Project descriptions
- Site photographs
For the strongest submission, include photos that capture project progress in addition to the completed project. A description of each section on the application is available here.
3. Complete Your Submission
Once your materials are organized, you can complete and submit your project application. View a tutorial on the project of submission here.
4. Judging
Projects are evaluated by a panel of architects and engineers using a numeric scoring rubric. View the judging rubric and point explanation here.
5. Awards
After judging is complete, companies will be notified if their projects earned Gold, Silver, or Honorable Mention recognition.
Projects are scored independently rather than ranked against one another, allowing multiple Gold and Silver awards to be presented within each category.
The Results
All award-winning projects are recognized at the annual Projects of Distinction Banquet, held each January. During the event:
- Winning projects are highlighted in a featured video presentation
- Recipients are honored on stage
- Professional event photos are provided to award winners
Award-winning projects also receive additional exposure through:
- Social media promotion
- A project profile in the event magazine mailed to all ABC members
- Recognition on ABC Wisconsin’s website
Special Awards
There are two additional awards presented at the banquet. The first is the Project of the Year. This award recognizes the project that earned the highest overall score among all submissions.
View a profile of the 2025 Project of the Year here.
The second additional honor is the Built on Merit Award. It celebrates the member that utilized the greatest number of additional ABC member companies on a project.
When completing your submission, be sure to include all ABC member companies involved in your project.
View the 2025 Built on Merit Award recipient here.
Use Your Award Recognition
Receiving a Projects of Distinction Award provides valuable marketing and business development opportunities. Companies can:
- Invite their business partners, project owners and sub-contractors to join them at the banquet and celebrate their work
- Display awards in their offices
- Highlight achievements on social media
- Include award recognition in future project bids and proposals
Award-winning projects demonstrate your company’s commitment to excellence, craftsmanship, and safety while elevating your reputation within the industry.
Plan Ahead for Your Submission
Completing a project submission takes time, and this year ABC Wisconsin has extended the submission window by an additional month to give members more time to prepare their entries. The submission window will open on June 1, 2026, and close on September 30, 2026.
While the process requires effort, the recognition and promotional opportunities can provide lasting value for your company.
We encourage you to showcase and celebrate your best work through the Projects of Distinction Awards.
For questions about the program, please contact Laura Kocum, ABC Wisconsin Marketing and Communications Director.
