New for 2026 Spotlight Awards Project Entries:

Only the project’s Owner/Developer, General Contractor, or Architect may submit for project categories. This ensures that entries are submitted by those directly responsible for and knowledgeable about the project's design, execution, and overall impact. Role definitions are listed below:

DEVELOPER/OWNER: An entity whose primary business is development, ownership or investment in commercial real
estate.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: The firm responsible for executing the project, managing all phases of construction and supervising all subcontractors and trades.

ARCHITECT: The licensed lead design professional responsible for the overall architectural vision, planning, and design of the building. This refers specifically to the primary or lead architect of record.

SUBMISSION PROCESS: This year, we are implementing an approval process for project entries not submitted directly by the Owner/Developer. As part of the entry platform, there is a question that will be answered by the Owner/Developer.

Eligibility: 
Multiple categories and/or entries may be submitted within a given category provided that the project(s) were completed between January 2023 and December 2025. Additionally, a project cannot be the prior year’s Honor Award winner. 

The developer or owner must consent to your Intent to Enter validating your submission.

Please coordinate with all team members to ensure that only one entry is submitted for the project. 

Entry Fee:
The non-refundable Project entry fee is $200 per submission and due at the time of entry.  Entry fee is transferrable to another project. There is no fee to nominate or enter an Industry Award.  Entry fee is not refundable.

Format:
Participants will receive a link to complete their submission(s) following the receipt of the “Call for Entries/Nominations”, payment confirmation, and review by the commitee.  

Publicity:
All accepted entries will be displayed at the awards event.  Project Merit Award winners and Industry Award Finalists will be recognized during the awards ceremony.  Media packages will be distributed to the media by the NAIOP Spotlight Awards Committee and will be available to entrants after the event.

Schedule:
The following are strict dates for submission for the awards qualification process:

     Oct. 3, 2025:   Project Intent to Enter Forms and Entry Fees Due
                             Industry Award Nominations Due
     Dec 12, 2025: Project Submission Packages Due; submitted online by midnight. 
     Jan. 5, 2026:   Industry Submission Packages Due; submitted online by midnight. 
     Jan. 19, 2026: Project Merit Awards Announced
     Feb 28, 2026:  Awards Ceremony

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