October AEC firm rankings, lists, awards and PR opportunities

There are so many spooky puns sprinting into my brain right now, it’s scary.

Instead of sprinkling fun wordplay all over this intro, let me tell you a real-life haunting tale.

I have been with Reputation Ink for eight years now and I’ve felt real fear in my bones approximately four times. Each of those times has been centered around the thought of, “Did I miss that deadline? No! Maybe? I’m scared to look … WHEW.”

It chills my blood, makes my bones feel heavy, and turns my already pasty skin into a translucent sheen. 

If you’re like me and fearful of not keeping your finger on the pulse of industry recognitions and opportunities, I see you, and that’s why we’re here!

Check out what we recommend keeping an eye on this month:

• Speaking engagements are a tremendous way to establish yourself as a thought leader and be top-of-mind for potential new business. AIA25’s Call for Proposals is still open and will be until October 23. Groundbreaking Women in Construction is also looking for speakers for their events with the same deadline (October 23). If you have a story to tell, we highly recommend throwing your hard hat in the ring.
  
• I know that everyone submitting for Food Engineering’s Food Plant of the Year is likely sprinting to finish those submissions; one more reminder that those awards are due October 25 this year. This is wildly earlier than in previous years. If you have a project to highlight but the timing didn’t work out for this year, stay tuned. We are keeping an eye on ProFood World’s Manufacturing Innovation Awards as an impressive alternative.  
  
• If you won a regional ABC Excellence in Construction award, friendly heads up that the deadline to register to submit for the national award is October 25. Submissions are due November 15. 
  
• For those who lay project success in the form of clay bricks, we have just the award for you. Brick in Architecture is calling for nominees for their 2024 Awards program. These awards are looking to celebrate “the most incredible and sustainable ways to design with clay brick.” Nominations are due November 1.
  
• Part of my heart belongs to Disney’s Belle, so the word “library” always fills me with joy. AIA/ALA’s 2023 Library Building Awards go live October 16 and will be due January 8. 
  
• Speaking of the AIA, they have a few awards due on November 15: Award for Excellence in Public Architecture, Young Architects Award and Associates Award
  
• This may feel a tad premature, but 2025 will be here before we know it. The submissions for ACEC’s 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards are live and due January 8, 2025. Submissions are accepted in 12 categories, ranging from structural systems and environmental to special and small projects. 
  
• Editorial calendar reminders: Now’s the time to begin pulling 2025 editorial calendars! Most publications are looking for January content by the end of November.