About the EMAs

The Excellence in Marketing Awards (EMAs) are designed to recognize outstanding achievement in marketing communications by professional service firms in the Chicagoland A/E/C industry. Modeled after the SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards, the program provides an opportunity for firms to showcase their best marketing practices.

SMPS Chicago’s EMAs will honor 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Place overall for excellence in marketing communications. The top score will also receive “Best in Show”. Please see the brochure for suggested submittal ideas and entry requirements.

Take a look at previous winners here.

Submittal Deadline: 5 p.m. CST on Friday, July 18, 2025

Entries and Eligibility

Any SMPS Chicago member or non-member (see entry links) is eligible to nominate a firm. Outside consultants utilized to develop materials (i.e. print shops, photographers, copywriters, etc.) should be identified in the Clarification Statement.

What can be submitted? The EMA brochure has submittal ideas. The material must have been published or issued between August 2023 and July 2025.

Please see the EMA brochure for suggested submittal ideas and detailed entry requirements. 

Benefits of Participating

• Industry recognition for your firm
• Expert feedback on your firm’s marketing practices from executive level A/E/C industry professionals (EAP)
• Enhancement of your firm’s brand and positioning
• Inspiration for future campaigns
• Complimentary attendance at Annual Meeting

Recognition

• Winners will be recognized at the SMPS Chicago Annual Meeting in August. More information to follow.
• Prizes - First: $400 gift card, Second: $200 gift card, Third: $100 gift card
• Only one award per firm given

Submittal Instructions and Deadline

All entries are to be submitted online, see catalog. Payment for online entries must be made at the time of submission.

Questions, please contact Katie Morris at [email protected] or 630-296-6279.

June 26, 1970 – April 9, 2025

With heavy hearts, we share the unexpected and profound loss of our dear friend and colleague Sloan Watson who passed away on April 9, 2025.

A beloved presence in the Chicago AEC community, Sloan was a pillar of SMPS Chicago for more than 25 years. She was an inspiring leader, a dedicated volunteer and a true connector, advocate, and mentor to so many within our chapter and beyond.

Sloan spent over 27 years at Bulley & Andrews Construction, most recently serving as Vice President of Marketing. She left an indelible mark, helping build lasting client relationships, guiding strategic growth and shaping the firm’s reputation with her unmatched insight and integrity.

Sloan lived her life in service to others, offering her time, talents and wisdom with sincerity and grace. Her authenticity shone through in every interaction. She had a rare ability to make people feel completely at ease, truly heard and genuinely valued. Always fully present, she carried herself with a quiet humility that made her presence all the more meaningful. One of her greatest gifts was bringing people together by connecting peers, partners and collaborators she knew could support and inspire one another. Her impact is immeasurable and her absence will be deeply felt.

Though she is no longer with us, Sloan’s presence lives on in every connection she fostered, every life she touched and every act of generosity she inspired. We can honor her legacy by leading as she did, with kindness, integrity and a belief in the power of personal relationships.

We remain profoundly grateful for the time we were fortunate to share with Sloan. Her husband Tom and their children Lainie, Lily and Owen were the center of her universe, and we hold them, along with her entire family close in our hearts during this difficult time.

If you’d like to honor her memory, we invite you to do something she would do—extend a quiet kindness, lift someone up or introduce two people who could do great things together.

A visitation will be held on April 17th from 3-7:00pm at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home in Westchester, IL.

Please view the full obituary below.

https://www.conboywestchesterfh.com/obituary/sloan-watson

The Excellence in Marketing Awards (EMAs) are designed to recognize outstanding achievement in marketing communications by professional service firms in the Chicagoland A/E/C industry. Modeled after the SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards, the program provides an opportunity for firms to showcase their best marketing practices.

Start making a list of your potential submission ideas. Here are some to get you juices flowing:

SMPS Chicago is pleased to welcome the 2025 annual sponsors. We look forward to your partnership this year. 

Learn more about these firms.