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stay tuned for future topaz awards!
Background
The SMPS SFBAC Awards Program highlights the critical role and immense value marketing professionals bring to the design and building industry.
It began in 2001 as the Founders Awards – a forum to recognize excellence in Marketing Communications in the built environment and to recognize an individual’s extraordinary expertise and achievements that serve as a model for A/E/C marketing professionals. The Founders Awards Program paid homage to a group of marketers who came together in the 1970s and called themselves BD Anonymous until the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of SMPS was incorporated in 1982.
Re-branded as the Topaz Awards in 2022, the program brings together professionals from across Northern California in recognition of achievement in marketing for professional services.
Topaz Awards categories
Below are the following awards recognizing individual Chapter members with People Awards and A/E/C firms with Marketing Communications Awards (MCAS).
People Award Categories
- Lifetime Achievement
- Marketer of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Rising Star
- Business Developer of the Year – New Category This Year!
MCA Categories
- Holiday / Special Event
- Brand Awareness / Promotional Campaign / Corporate Identity
- Internal Communications
- External Communications/Public Relations
- Project Pursuit Marketing – It’s Back!
- Graphic Design/Visual Appeal
- Website (Internal/External)
- Digital Media (Social Media, Video, Virtual)
- Recruitment/Retention Campaign
Topaz Awards will return in 2026
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in sponsoring opportunities, please reach out to [email protected] to confirm with the Special Committee.
Questions?
If you have any questions about submissions, sponsorship, or other details in relation to the event, please email [email protected].
past winners
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
- 2024 – Harry Lawrence
- 2023 – Tricia McGuirk
- 2022 – Myrna Wagner, FSMPS, CPSM
- 2019 – Judith Sayler, CPSM, LEED-AP
- 2017 – Alethea O'Dell, CPSM
- 2015 – Marion Thatch, FSMPS, CPSM
- 2013 – Pat Christman, CPSM
- 2010 – Dennis Paoletti, FAIA, FASA, FSMPS
- 2005 – Craig Park, FSMPS, CPSM
- 2005 – Gwendolyn Powell Todd, Ed.D., FSMPS, CPSM
- 1998 – Kay Godwin, FSMPS, CPSM
MARKETER OF THE YEAR
- 2024 – Vanessa Yust, CPSM
- 2023 – Marilynn Stratton
- 2022 – Kate Albee
- 2020 – Allison Halvorson, CPSM
- 2019 – Laurie Lumish, CPSM
- 2015 – Nicole La, CPSM
- 2013 – Catherine Spurlock, CPSM
- 2010 – Devon Kurcina, CPSM
- 2008 – Marion Thatch, FSMPS, CPSM
- 2004 – Katie O’Brien, CPSM
- 2002 – Denise Youmans, CPSM
- 2001 – Julie Szabo
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
- 2024 – Morgan Wentz
- 2023 – Al Anderson, CPSM
- 2022 – Ava Sand
- 2020 – Jillian Grabenstein, CPSM, ENV SP
- 2019 – Christina Benedict
- 2017 – Bianca Flores
- 2015 – Abby Reader
- 2013 – Faith Ragan
- 2010 – Cathy Kohatsu
- 2005 – Tony Williams
RISING STAR
- 2024 – Danni Jones
- 2023 – Cassidy Perry
- 2022 – Sam Mullin
- 2020 – Danielle Deltorchio
- 2015 – Erin Lopez
- 2013 – Samantha Stettler
- 2010 – Tabitha Ellet
