More than 30 years ago, roughly 100 members of Calgary’s residential construction industry gathered to celebrate the best of the best in sales and marketing initiatives, sponsored by the Canadian Home Builders Association-Calgary.
The awards became known as the SAM Awards and over the course of the years, the awards grew to honour new home and community designs, as well as the work of the industry’s suppliers and partners. The number of people attending the ceremonies also grew, from 100 to more than 1,600, who filled the TELUS Convention Centre.
Then, things changed.
With the merger of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and Urban Development Institute-Calgary into BILD (Building Industry Land Developers)-Calgary Region in 2017, the awards premiered as the Calgary BILD Awards in April 2018.
On August 13, the winners of the 2019 BILD Awards were announced, but not at the convention centre.
COVID-19 prevented that this year, with BILD replacing the gala with an ‘awards season,’ changing how winners were announced — some in advance — and others during an online party last Thursday.
COVID-19 didn’t slow the excitement of entering for awards. More than 650 entries were received, covering every aspect of building and marketing, from websites and social media to sales centres, showhomes, renovations and new products.
The residential construction industry in the Calgary Region is a large contributor to the economy, employing more than 45,000 people, with a total payroll estimated at $3 billion.
“That has a significant economic impact and so we want to celebrate that and, as much as possible, keep us on a normal course of business,” says Brian Hahn, CEO of BILD.
The entries are judged by 100 volunteers from within the industry, who judge categories that do not conflict with their jobs, says Hahn.
“They’re focused on the innovation and the excellence of the entries, splitting the hairs of those differences that separate the really, really good products from the very good products,” he says.
There are 59 award categories, plus the most coveted, the Grand Awards, given to companies that meet judging criteria and score the highest points.
Jayman Built had one of its best years at the awards, landing 16 trophies from its 33 nominations, including seven for its marquee development, Westman Village.
The crowning touch for Jayman was being named Builder of the Year, Large Volume, the ninth time the builder has claimed top prize.
The full list of Grand Award Winners includes:
- Single-Family Home Builder of the Year (small volume): Crystal Creek Homes
- Single-Family Home Builder of The Year (large volume): Jayman Built
- Multi-Family Home Builder of the Year (a tie) (small volume): Millenium Plus Homes and Jayman Built
- Multi-Family Home Builder of the Year (large volume): Brad Remington Homes
- Renovator of the Year: Ultimate Homes and Renovations
- Partner of the Year: Breckenridge Builders
You’ll find all the other winners in today’s New Homes Magazine.
— With files from Cindy Stephen
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
