SMPS 2026 Awards Gala: Hats Off at the Triple Crown!
Posted on Jun. 16, 2026 / Awards, Events / Subscribe 0
Today on the blog, we're sharing about the recent SMPS Boston Marketing Communications Awards Gala!
Authors: Olivia Struth
Hats off to another incredible Awards Gala!
On a picture-perfect June evening, SMPS Boston members gathered at the beautiful City Winery in Boston for an evening of celebration, connection, and a little friendly competition at the 2026 Triple Crown Awards Gala, and what a race it was! This year's Triple Crown-inspired theme brought plenty of Southern charm to the evening. With guests arriving in colorful dresses and sharp suits worthy of a winner's circle, complete with fabulous hats, colorful fascinators, jaunty bow ties, and plenty of winning spirit, perfectly capturing the spirit of race day.
The evening kicked off with a lively cocktail reception, and once guests had their Mint Juleps in hand, we were officially off to the races. Alongside plenty of networking and conversation, attendees embraced the Kentucky Derby theme with colorful fascinators and bold hats that would have looked right at home at Churchill Downs. As guests took their seats for dinner, anticipation continued to build for one of the most exciting moments of the year for our chapter: recognizing the outstanding marketing achievements of our members and firms.
Returning as emcees were Chuck Raymond of Weston & Sampson and Susan Shelby of Rhino PR, who once again proved to be the perfect hosts for the evening. Their quick wit and playful banter kept the crowd entertained all night, bringing plenty of laughs between award presentations and making the event feel more like a celebration than a competition. The acceptance speeches reflected the spirit of the event itself: thoughtful, celebratory, and filled with gratitude (with some Derby flair, of course!). Throughout the night, recipients reminded us that behind every successful submission is a team of dedicated professionals working together to make an impact.
As the evening came to a close, attendees lingered to continue conversations and enjoy one last lap around the room. The 2026 Triple Crown Awards Gala was a wonderful reminder of what makes SMPS Boston so special: a community that champions creativity, collaboration, professional growth, and each other's success. From creative brand campaigns to innovative videos, this year once again proved that design and construction marketers were truly in a league of their own. Congratulations to all the winners.
The Winner's Circle
Brand Awareness
1st Place: B2Q Associates, B2Q Associates Quarterly Newsletter Initiative
2nd Place: Delphi Construction, Inc., Cape Focus
Corporate Identity
1st Place: Affinity Business Development, Connecting dots and people. Building Energy and Relationships
2nd Place: Studio G Architects & Clockwork Design Group, Studio G Architects Corporate Identity
DEI Communication
1st Place: Columbia Construction, Build Belonging
2nd Place: GEI Consultants, Elevating Inclusion - GEI's DEI Communications Program
Holiday Piece
1st Place: HLB Lighting Design, HLB Lighting Design Holiday Campaign
2nd Place: Hacin, An Impression of Boston | Hacin Holiday Card 2026
Internal Communications
1st Place: Goody Clancy, Goody Clancy Office Move
2nd Place: Nobis Group, The Nobis Bond Vision & Strategy - Business Plan 2026
Marketing Collateral
1st Place: GEI Consultants, Inc., A Unified Brand System: Transforming Marketing Collateral Across GEI
Project Pursuit Marketing
1st Place: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Proposal
Promotional Campaign
1st Place: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Years of Service
2nd Place: Nobis Group, Expanding our Boundaries
Recruitment & Retention
1st Place: Nobis Group, Demystifying Employee-Ownership
Social Media
1st Place: CDM Smith, New Perspectives
2nd Place: B2Q Associates, Powered by People: How B2Q Turned Employee Engagement into LinkedIn Growth
Special Event Marketing
1st Place: South Coast Improvement Company, Let's Get Real! Real Women. Real Roles. Real Results
2nd Place: B2Q Associates, Partners in Performance, An Open House and Learning Lab Event
Sustainability Communications
1st Place: Scouter Design & KLA, Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy for Cary, NC
Video
1st Place: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, The Frick Collection Renovation: Engineering a Modern Legacy
2nd Place: CDM Smith, What's Happening NEXT is Happening NOW
Website
1st Place: Studio G Architects & Clockwork Design Group, Studio G Architects Website
2nd Place: HLB Lighting Design, Question about HLB? Ask Jules
Best in Show
Small Firm: Affinity Business Development
Overall: Goody Clancy
Best In-House Design
GEI Consultants, Inc.
People's Choice:
CDM Smith, What's Happening NEXT is Happening NOW
People Awards
New Member of the Year
Olivia Struth
Emerging Professional of the Year
Lisa Hennessey
Business Development Professional of the Year
Caroline Fitzgerald, P.E.
Marketing Professional of the Year
Kristie Norris, CPSM
Volunteer of the Year
Jennifer Clark
Chapter Leader of the Year
Virginia Kilbourn
Congratulations to all this year's winners, finalists, and entrants!
A huge thank you to all our dedicated judges, tireless volunteers, and everyone who made this evening such a spectacular success. You are the heartbeat of SMPS Boston! And a very special thank you to our sponsors for helping to make the evening possible:
- Open Asset (Triple Crown Sponsor)
- Kantiv, formerly Joist AI (The Sweet Stakes Dessert Sponsor)
- Unanet (Stableside Signature Drink Sponsor)
- Tuttle (Jockey Club Photo Finish Sponsor)
- FlowTech (Starting Gate Sponsor)
We would also like to extend a special shoutout to the Special Events Committee members, whose hard work, creativity, and planning not only inform bringing this year's gala to life, but all of our special events throughout the year. From the Kentucky Derby-inspired details to the seamless execution of the event, the committee's dedication ensured a memorable experience for everyone in attendance. Thank you for helping make this year's gala one for the books.
- Emily Jenkins, Special Events Committee Director, Business Development Manager, GRLA
- Tully Mahoney, Special Events Committee Co-Chair, Associate, Storytelling Coordinator, Stantec
- Sarah Ryan-Theroux, Special Events Committee Co-Chair, Marketing, Flansburgh Architects
- Kelly Cohane, Special Events Committee Member, Marketing, South Coast Improvement Company
- Melissa Shaffer, Special Events Committee Member, National Energy Sector Marketing Lead, GEI
- Kristie Norris, CPSM, Special Events Committee Member, Director of Marketing & Strategy, Nobis Group
- Maggie Spano, Special Events Committee Member, Brown, Richardson + Rowe, Inc
- Cortnie Jones, Special Events Committee Member, Acentech
- Rachel Herbst, Special Events Committee Member, CDM Smith
- Ksenia Pryme, Special Events Committee Member, Tighe & Bond
Here's to another year of creative excellence, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in A/E/C marketing. May your campaigns be fast, your deadlines manageable, and your Derby hats unforgettable!
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