Project Leadership Awards

The Project Leadership Award is open to both public and private Owners.  Owners do not have to be a member of COAA to submit an entry.

The program is open to all types of construction projects ... healthcare facilities, government buildings, manufacturing plants, educational/research facilities, etc. Renovation and new construction projects, large or small, are eligible for the award. Project size and cost are not contributing or deciding factors.

Projects nominated for a Project Leadership Award must have achieved Substantial Completion (available for occupancy) between January 1, 2024 and the submission deadline.  Nominated projects will be reviewed by the Project Leadership Award Selection Team, which will evaluate submissions in the following areas:

• Project leadership by the Owner
• Collaboration and communication
• Problem solving and conflict resolution
• Overall project success
• Adherence to schedule
• Cost management
• Quality
• Project complexity
• Conservation and sustainability
• Embodiment of The COAA Way

The Gold Award is for the Owner that best demonstrates overall excellence in project management, collaboration, and leadership. 

The COAA Way Award is for project teams that exemplify the idea that a team of PEOPLE - led by a "Good Owner," sharing BEST PRACTICES in a CULTURE built on trust & respect - will complete BETTER PROJECTS.

Silver Awards and Special Awards may be awarded depending on the quality/nature of the entries. 

The Awards Selection Team reserves the right to select more than one winner. 

Winners will be notified at least one month prior to the national COAA Connect conference, which is when the awards will be presented.

1. Develop narratives describing the project using the Nomination Form (sections I through VII). Proposals must contain all the information requested, be legible, and be presented in a professional manner. Incomplete forms will not be considered for the award.
2. Obtain (3) letters of recommendation as outlined in section VIII of the Nomination Form.
3. Complete and sign the Affirmation and Release at the end of the Nomination Form.
4. Assemble a PDF package that includes the following components:
   • Project narratives
   • Letters of recommendation
   • Signed affirmation and release

5. Email the PDF package to Lucie Castro (lcastro@coaa.org) with the subject line COAA Project Leadership Awards.
6. Provide low-resolution and high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) project photographs, preferably in JPG format, on a CD/DVD or flash drive and mail this, along with a check payable to COAA for $350 (members) or $600 (non-members) to:

COAA Project Leadership Awards
5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd. Suite 151
Austell, GA 30106

Pay Online

7. Emailed PDF proposal and mailed digital photographs are due by close of business on the last business day of August.

NOTE:  Proposals and photographs will not be returned to the applicant and may be used by COAA.

A team of appointed COAA volunteers will review award submissions, weigh the relative merit of each, and determine collaboratively which submissions are worthy of an award.

These guidelines will be reviewed and followed to ensure a fair, unbiased process.

• All members of the Selection Team shall be members of COAA in good standing
• Composition of the Selection Team should reflect the diversity of COAA in terms of professional role and other characteristics
• Immediately following the closing of the Awards application deadline (last business day in August), the team will review applications based on established and approved guidelines
• Team members shall recuse themselves from reviewing applications that present a clear conflict of interest
• Immediately following the closing of the Awards application deadline (last business day in August), the team will review applications per these guidelines and against the above criteria
• Team members shall participate in virtual meetings or conference calls as needed to reach consensus decisions
• Team members should make every effort to attend the Awards Luncheon at COAA Connect 
• The Selection Team may not enter into legal or binding agreements on behalf of COAA and has no authority over COAA resources or staff