ABOUT THE CHICAGO BUILDING CONGRESS MERIT AWARDS

A: Anyone can enter the Merit Awards with a project that has been completed within three (3) years of submission.

A: Yes, if your company is not a CBC member, you can still enter as many projects as you like by selecting the non-member section of the form.

A: The 2023 Merit Award Categories reflect Chicagoland’s ever-changing construction landscape. Here are the categories:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Residential/Hospitality
• Commercial Construction UNDER $50 Million
• Commercial Construction OVER $50 Million
• Renovation & Adaptive Reuse UNDER $20 Million
• Renovation & Adaptive Reuse OVER $20 Million
• Infrastructure or Industrial Construction
• Interior Build-Out

Please remember that multiple projects can be submitted for multiple categories, however the same project cannot be entered into more than one category.

A: Yes, you can enter as many projects as you like. Each project entered will require project details, contact information (including those key subs), and payment. However, you can enter several projects using one electronic form.

A: The primary purpose of the Merit Awards is to recognize outstanding projects in the Chicagoland area and surrounding counties. However, in the past some projects have been submitted built in Illinois and of course were seriously considered.

A: Here is the timeline for each phase of the 2023 Merit Awards:

Merit Award SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 31, 2023

PROJECT FORM DEADLINE: December 31, 2022

Merit Award PROJECT DETAILS & PHOTOS DEADLINE: February 7, 2023
(Projects must be completed by December 31, 2012.)

Email Notification Sent to Finalists Scheduling In-Person Presentations: February 27, 2023

Finalists’ Presentations & Judging Dates to Determine Winners: March 21, 22, 29, & April 5, 2023

MERIT AWARDS GALA: May 2023

A: Projects completed within the last three years, and by Dec., 31, 2022 are eligible for the Merit Awards.

A: Previously entered Merit Award projects can be re-entered, as long as they have been completed within the last three years, and were not selected as Merit Award winners.

A: Entering your projects is easy! Simply go here, enter contact information, your project title, and select a category. You can pay for your entry (or more than one) right online. If you have more than one project you are entering, you can do them all in the same registration.

A: Each project registered is $300 for CBC Members, and $600 for non-members.

A: If you are close to the original project budget, keep the project in the same category. If however, the budget/expenditures has vastly exceeded your original estimates, please contact cbc@chicagobuildingcongress.org.

A:  A panel of dedicated industry professionals volunteer to judge all presentations. This includes owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and those in services to the construction industry. Judges select the top five entries in each category based on the criteria below. Remember to include these in your submission and (if selected as a finalist) in the finalist presentation:

• Distinctive, functional, or innovative design
• Quality of construction
• Impact of the project on the community and inclusion initiatives
• Safety record

A: The first meeting is to determine finalists from the Merit Award entries, and the second and third judging sessions select the winners in each category. These dates are tentatively scheduled to take place in late March. There is usually a backup date scheduled in April. The Merit Awards take place in May 2023.

A: Thanks for your interest in the Merit Award judging process. We have two criteria to be a Merit Award judge:

1. Your company must be a CBC Member with dues paid up-to-date.
2. Your expertise in the construction industry. As a CBC member serving the construction industry, your expertise is needed to help identify finalists and the winners of the Merit Awards.

A: A panel of dedicated CBC members volunteer to judge all the presentations. To be a Merit Award judge, you must be a CBC member, complete the availability form before judging starts (in February 2023), and have a passion for the built environment. Judges represent all areas of the construction market from owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and those in the services to the construction industry. If you are interested in becoming a judge, please email us at cbc@chicagobuildingcongress.org.

A: Winners will be announced the night of the Merit Awards Gala.

A: Registration for the Merit Awards Gala is now open. Click here for registration and sponsorship information.