Information on entering a project for consideration, the entry process, and tips on how to submit a strong entry.
Why Should I Enter?
- Promote Your Quality Work: Show your clients that you are an award winning contractor.
- Build Customer Relationships: Clients will know that ‘award winning’ means that they have hired a professional.
- Motivate Employees: Winning awards reinforces employee confidence and boosts morale. Bringing your team to the awards ceremony is a great way to celebrate your achievements as a team.
- Separate Yourself from the Competition: Prove your superior workmanship, quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and most importantly, your pride in your work.
- Free Publicity: Award winning projects will be featured in The New Jersey Landscape Contractor magazine. Award of Excellence winners will get a full page article about the project and the company. Photos of projects will be used in NJLCA promotional materials, on our website, and in future publications, with full credit given to the award winning company. Press releases will also be sent to local, state and national media for additional public recognition.
NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards & Dinner
The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association is proud to be the sponsor of the 23rd Annual Landscape Achievement Awards and Holiday Gala. The Landscape Achievement Awards program was created to recognize the outstanding work designed, built and maintained by NJLCA members. The program also encourages greater public awareness of the aesthetic and environmental benefits of landscaping.
Winning entries for 2023 will be announced at the Landscape Achievement Awards Dinner at The Venetian on December 5th. You are encouraged to invite landscape architects, designers, clients, foremen/women, crew and family.
The Landscape Achievement Awards are classified into two main categories: Design/Build and Maintenance. These categories are then broken down into various subcategories (see entry form), providing companies of all sizes and experience an opportunity to win an award. There are three potential awards for each subcategory: the Award of Excellence, the Award of Distinction, and the Award of Merit, all of which are very prestigious.
The Landscape Achievement Awards and Holiday Gala Dinner honors all of the winning companies for their achievements. The Awards Dinner is also an excellent way to thank your employees for their hard work and dedication, while honoring them for a job well done. That’s why we encourage your employees to join you in accepting your award. All entries will be on display at the dinner (not just the winners) to show the breadth of the projects being entered. To help you market and promote your success, a professional photographer will be there to take publicity photos of you and your team.
Categories
Design/Build
Design/Build projects will be judged on quality of design and overall craftsmanship, including plant selection and hardscape construction details. Unique site challenges and unusual circumstances will be a factored into the judges decision-making, as well.
Landscape Maintenance
Landscape Maintenance projects will be judged on quality of work performed, including proper pruning techniques, clean edging and bedlines. Lawns should be lush. Beds, lawns, curbs and sidewalks should be free of weeds and debris, with an overall healthy appearance. All beds should be properly mulched. Special consideration will be given for seasonal color displays.
Submission Guidelines
- Design/Build projects must be submitted with a plan on at least one digital image, even if you did not design the project. Do not send originals. Photos must depict work that entering firm has completed. ENTERING COMPANY MUST BE THE CONTRACTED COMPANY FOR THE PROJECT.
- Landscape Maintenance projects must be currently maintained by the entering firm and have been maintained for at least 12 months prior to October 1, 2023. Photographs must show sufficient detail to allow judges to adequately determine quality of work performed. Photos must depict work that entering firm has completed. Any work of which you had no control over must be noted on the entry form and photos that you had no control over will be disqualified. Please note if seasonal color, fertilization, etc. are included in the contract.
- Design Only projects must include a photo of the finished project, as well as a description of plants and materials chosen and why they were chosen.
A single project may be entered in up to three categories; however, one entry form is required for each submission. You may enter as many different projects as you’d like.
All entries must be submitted with the knowledge of the owner/property manager. All submitted materials, including photos and descriptions will become the property of the NJLCA and may be used for future publications, marketing or advertising purposes, with full credit given to you. Entry materials will not be returned. Deadlines cannot be extended. Forms must be completely filled out.
A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 photographs must be included with the entry in digital format (jpeg, png, gif, etc.) Each entry must have a project description as well as one description for each photo (see entry form). Descriptions should include any special or unusual circumstances encountered during the project. Do not show your company name in any of the photographs (including trucks, trailers, uniforms, shirts, lawn signs, etc.). When possible, “in progress” and “before/after” photographs of the project should be included. No photo enhancements permitted. Category cost limitations must be adhered to and cost verification may be requested. Awards committee may, at its discretion, move a project to a different category.
Take the opportunity to use the photo descriptions to tell the judges the story of your project, but please be clear, concise and to the point. Label the photos in the order you would like them to be viewed during the judging (01, 02, 03, etc.) and make sure that they correspond to the same number in the photo descriptions.
COMPANIES FOUND IN VIOLATION OF THE RULES OF ENTRY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FOR A PERIOD NO LESS THEN 5 YEARS, PENDING REVIEW BOARDS DETERMINATION AND FINDINGS.
Entry Process
1. Complete and submit the three page entry form below.
2. Submit 5-15 photos, including the landscape design via the form.
3. Submit payment made payable to NJLCA.
Judging
An experienced panel of green industry professionals, including landscape architects, designers, educators and others will judge the entries.
Judging criteria for design/build include difficulty, quality of products used, proper installation practices, selection of plant materials, future maintainability, attention to detail, design objectives, harmony of design with surroundings, structural integrity and overall appearance.
Judging criteria for maintenance projects include difficulty, pruning practices, mowing practices, weed control, mulch, annual color condition, litter control, quality and condition of plants and overall appearance as they apply.
It is very important to note which areas you have no control over, as well as any customer requests.
The judges will have no knowledge of the company that performed the work and will make decisions based solely on the photographs and descriptions presented to them. That is why it is imperative to use high quality, high resolution images along with well thought-out descriptions of the photos.
Tips For a Strong Entry
- Read the requirements carefully and submit a complete entry.
- In all cases, pay careful attention to photo selection. Don’t show anything that could defeat the credibility of your project, such as brown leaves, debris, uneven pruning, etc.
- Include overhead shots from a deck, upstairs window, ladder, with a drone, etc. if possible.
- Close-ups of construction details help show quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- Try your best to show before, during and after shots of your work.
- Wetting hardscape areas, prior to taking photos, will enhance the color and overall feel of those areas.
- Keep descriptions concise. Make sure you include all of the challenges of the project and special qualities that make your project stand out as an award winner.
- Identify any plantings, hardscape materials or construction details that are unique.
- Hire a professional photographer for your “after” photos, if possible.
- It is very important that your first and last photograph be two of the best since these will typically be viewed longer than the other photographs in your presentation.
- Fight the urge to procrastinate! Take pictures throughout the seasons.
Disclaimers
- Each entry should include the date the project was completed or taken over.
- A project which previously won an NJLCA award may not be re-entered in the same category.
- Project’s name, company logo (trucks, shirts, etc.) or address may not be shown in any photo.
- All entries will be reviewed from the 5 to 15 photos submitted. They must show sufficient detail to allow judges to adequately determine the quality of work. Review your entry carefully.
- All installation and Design/Build entries must include a copy of the landscape design.
- Any subcontractors work must be noted on the entry form.
- All entries must be submitted on a current year entry form.
- Awards are based on merit. Categories will not always have a winner, even if there are entries in that category.
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