The Classic Awards 2026

2026 The Classic Awards Entry Instructions

The Classic Awards are presented annually to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, merchandisers, advertising, and other housing-related professionals. We also award Special Categories in the area of Professional Development. Residential construction professionals actively involved in projects located in the greater Athens area are eligible to participate.

The Classic Awards program is affiliated with the Athens Area Home Builders Association, which is a local chapter of the Home Builders Association of Georgia and the National Association of Home Builders.

ELIGIBLE ENTRIES

Entries will be accepted by builder members and associate members in good standing with AAHBA. Builder entries for new home construction and remodeling projects must be built in the Athens Area HBA jurisdiction and surrounding counties during the period of May 1, 2024, and March 15, 2026.

HOW TO ENTER

To enter your projects for the 2026 Classic Awards, select the number of entries you plan to submit per category- once you submit the entries you wish to enter, you will receive an invoice from the AAHBA.

Payment must be received within 30 days of the invoice being received. Members will be invoiced once we receive your entry.

ENTRY FEES

Early Bird Registration - fee of $150 per entry for each category (March 16, 2026- April 1, 2026)

Registration - fee of $175 per entry for each category (April 2, 2026- June 30, 2026)

All entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE, even if you do not complete and turn in your entry materials. Entry fees will not be transferred to the next year. Each entry will include one ticket to the Casino Party/Awards Night.

Submit your entry by June 30, 2026. No submissions will be accepted after the entry window closes.

JUDGING

Each entry will be judged on its merits by a panel of non-member judges, independent judges who are recognized for their expertise in the industry. All decisions of the judges are final.

CANCELLATION POLICY

No refunds will be issued for entry fees or event tickets. No exceptions.

IMPORTANT DATES

All Entry Materials Due No Later Than June 30, 2026. If additional information is needed, you will have 24 hours to submit the requested information or be disqualified.

Announcement of Finalists – Casino Night & Awards Party, DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

STEPS TO ENTER

• You must be a Member of AAHBA with a valid membership in place both at the time of entry and the award presentation date. Non-members can join on www.aahba.com to become eligible to enter.
• Please complete the Entry Application by June 30, 2026, and pay entry fees no later than 30 days after receiving the invoice.  All entry materials are also due by June 30, 2026.
• Materials for all entries may differ by category. It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure all required materials are submitted.
• All materials submitted become the property of AAHBA for use in advertising and promotion of the Classic Awards and its winners.
• All entry information is submitted electronically using the AAHBA-designated website.
• Eligible entries include any project or development that was open for sale, lease, or rental at any time after May 1, 2023.
• Eligible Builder entries for new home construction and remodeling projects must be built in the Athens Area HBA jurisdiction and surrounding counties between May 1, 2023, and March 15, 2025.
• Photos and Entry Forms are required for all entries.
• If you build outside of the state of Georgia, your business must be established in Georgia and a member of the Athens Area HBA.
• Entries will be disqualified if materials are not uploaded by 11:59PM on June 30, 2026. All entries are non-refundable and must be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice. Your entry will be disqualified if not paid on time.
• You MAY submit an entry that has been previously entered, as long as it falls within the above-stated time frame and did not win a gold or silver award the previous time it was entered.

Category Information

There are over 40 categories available, including New Construction Awards, Remodeling Construction Awards, Construction Design Awards, Industry Professional Awards,

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS/ ALL CATEGORIES

• Identification of Materials –  MAKE SURE UPLOADED DOCUMENTS ARE NAMED WITH CORRECT ENTRY CATEGORY and Model/Address/Site as required.
• Different categories have different submission requirements. Make sure to review the instructions and requirements for each category carefully. Incomplete entries will not be judged or will be docked points for items incomplete.
• Impact and Project statements will be required for each entry unless otherwise specified. The statements should address the unique challenges or elements of the project such as how the marketing/project objectives were met, any unique features of the entry, and outstanding features.
• All entries shall be submitted digitally through file-sharing services. No paper copies shall be accepted.
• All entries must include an entry form.
• All digital images shall be submitted in JPEG format at a minimum of 300 DPI. (800 w x 600h pixels)
• All PDFs submitted shall be high resolution.

 IMPORTANT ENTRY DETAILS

• Eligible entries include any project or development that was open, for sale, lease, or rental at any time after May 1, 2023.
• Projects that have previously won The Classic Awards may not be entered into the same category for which they have won unless there have been distinct and obvious design changes. Projects having previously won will however be considered in another category.

ENTRY CATEGORIES AND REQUIRED MATERIALS

New Construction Categories

NC01- Under $300,000

NC02- $300,001- $500,000

NC03- $500,001- $700,000

NC04- $700,001- $900,000

NC05- $600,001- $700,000

NC06- $700,001- $900,000

NC07- $900,001 and Above

New Construction Judging Criteria: Projects will be judged based on Project Details, Site Preparation, Construction, Materials, and Project Management.

Entry will be judged on overall exterior and interior architecture, design appeal, functionality, innovative use of interior space & creative integration of the plan as it relates to the target market & sales success.

New Construction Requirements:

• Ensure your photos are high quality and represent the full scope of your entry.
• Multiple-page PDFs for floor plans and drawings should be uploaded.
• A short statement describing the project, technology used, goals, and project challenges and successes. VIP TIP: This is your chance to talk about what is not obvious, including unique or high-quality materials.
• No document or file can exceed 10 MB in size. All entries must include an entry form. All digital images shall be submitted in JPEG format at a minimum of 300 DPI. Images should be 1800 pixels wide. All PDFs submitted shall be high resolution.
• Please follow the judging criteria and submission requirements for each entry.

 All New Construction Categories Require:

1. Entry Form
2. Site Plan – This may be a single home “footprint” or part of the entire project site, or both. At least one drawing should show a typical home on a typical lot, with lot dimensions shown.
3. Floor Plan or Blueprint

 Marketing Categories: Builder + Associate

M01- Best Logo- Builder

            Judging Criteria:  Overall design, eye appeal, graphic concepts, and theme.

Submission Requirements: 1 photo of logo

M02- Best Logo- Associate

            Judging Criteria:  Overall design, eye appeal, graphic concepts, and theme.

Submission Requirements: 1 photo of logo

M03- Best Advertising Campaign- Builder

            Judging Criteria: Technical production, concept, ease of site navigation, level of professionalism and overall creativity.

Submission Requirements: Provide Website Address.

M04- Best Advertising Campaign- Associate

            Judging Criteria: Technical production, concept, ease of site navigation, level of professionalism and overall creativity.

Submission Requirements: Provide Website Address.

M05- Best Company Website- Builder

            Judging Criteria: Technical production, concept, ease of site navigation, level of professionalism and overall creativity.

Submission Requirements: Provide Website Address.

M06- Best Company Website- Associate

            Judging Criteria: Technical production, concept, ease of site navigation, level of professionalism and overall creativity.

Submission Requirements: Provide Website Address.

M07- Best Email Marketing Campaign- Builder

Judging Criteria: Technical production, concept, ease of site navigation, level of professionalism and overall creativity.

Submission Requirements: Provide samples of emails used in the campaign

M08- Best Email Marketing Campaign- Associate

Judging Criteria: Technical production, concept, ease of site navigation, level of professionalism, and overall creativity.

Submission Requirements: Provide samples of emails used in campaign

M09- Best Social Media Campaign - Builder- (This will incorporate all strategies used in each specific social media outlet to cover an overall campaign. Includes blogs, photo sharing, online video sharing, social networking groups, etc. It will be judged on the web tracking report and percentage increase in clicks, keywords, and URL.)

            Note: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.

Judging Criteria: Concept or strategy, consistency, audience engagement, overall design, creativity, appropriateness for the target market, and results.
            Submission Requirements: Written statement (one page) explaining concept or strategy.  Include URL/link viewable by the Judges at their own computer. Final analytics results of each campaign.

M10- Best Social Media Campaign - Associate - (This will incorporate all strategies used in each specific social media outlets to cover an overall campaign. Includes blogs, photo sharing, online video sharing, social networking groups, etc. It will be judged on the web tracking report and percentage increase in clicks, key words and URL.)

            Note: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.

Judging Criteria: Concept or strategy, consistency, audience engagement, overall design, creativity, appropriateness for target market and results.

Submission Requirements: Written statement (one page) explaining concept or strategy.  Include URL/link viewable by the Judges at their own computer. Final analytics results of each campaign.

Remodeling Categories

R01- Best Kitchen Remodel: Under $25,000

R02- Best Kitchen Remodel: Between $25,001- $50,000

R03- Best Kitchen Remodel: Over $50,000

R05- Best Basement Remodel: Under $25,000

R07- Best Basement Remodel: Between $25,001- $50,000

R08- Best Basement Remodel: Over $50,000

R09- Best Master Bath Remodel: Under $25,000

R11- Best Master Bath Remodel: Between $25,001- $50,000

R12- Best Master Bath Remodel: Over $50,000

R13- Best Outdoor Living Space: Home Valued under $400,000 (This category includes exterior design, landscaping, and outside amenities)

R14- Best Outdoor Living Space: Home Valued between $400,000- $750,000 (This category includes exterior design, landscaping, and outside amenities)

R15- Best Outdoor Living Space: Home Valued $750,000+ (This category includes exterior design, landscaping, and outside amenities)

            Judging Criteria: Remodeling projects will be judged based on creativity, aesthetics and market value, the functional value of changes, cost effectiveness, special design features, and how well-stated objectives were met.

Submission Requirements: 5 photos showing before the renovation took place and 5 photos after the renovation took place. Description of the plan and desired improvements. Include any blueprints of the outside desired area(s). Provide documentation of the home prior to construction/renovation.

R16- Whole House Renovation under $250,000

R17- Whole House Renovation $250,000 - $500,000

R18- Whole House Renovation over $500,000

Judging Criteria: Remodeling projects will be judged based on creativity, aesthetics and market value, the functional value of changes, cost effectiveness, special design features, and how well-stated objectives were met.
            Submission Requirements: 10 photos showing before the renovation took place and 10 photos after the renovation took place. Description of the plan and desired improvements. Include any blueprints of the desired area(s). Provide documentation of the home before construction/renovation.

 

Best Interior Design- (This category includes interior design of the home, details of millwork, closets, etc) 

SC01- Whole House Staging under $250,000 (whole home price)

SC02- Whole House Staging $250,000 - $500,000 (whole home price)

SC03- Whole House Staging over $500,000 (whole home price)

Judging Criteria: Overall design, interior floor plan, flow, and use of space.
            Submission Requirements: 3-5 photos of your choice.  1 floor plan or full set of blueprints.

Best Creative/Themed Space- Examples: Billiard, Game Room, Media, Wine Cellar, Pool, Library, Home Theatre, Kitchen & Bath etc.

SC04: Best Creative/Themed space design in any room of the house under $25,000

SC05: Best Creative/Themed space design in any room of the house $25,000-$50,000

SC06: Best Creative/Themed space design in any room of the house over $50,000

Judging Criteria: Overall design, interior floor plan, flow, and use of space.
            Submission Requirements: 3-5 photos of your choice.  1 floor plan or full set of blueprints.

SC07:  “Green” Building Construction- New Construction or Remodeling

Judging Criteria: Exterior design, landscaping, building components/materials, interior floor plan, and “green /recyclable and sustainable features” as indicated in the Marketing Statement.
            Submission Requirements: One page marketing statement from the builder explaining how the project qualifies as “green/sustainable” construction, including support materials, certifications, awards etc. 4 photos including 1 exterior and 3 interior views.  Photos should identify “green/recyclable and sustainable” features.  1 floor plan or 1 full set of architectural plans, including site plan.

Personal Achievement Categories

Note: The following categories are open to all members.

PA01: Rookie Salesperson of the Year- Nominees must be in their first and second year of sales hired after May 1, 2024

Judging Criteria: Achievement of set goals for number of sales, volume of sales and closing ratios, other areas of responsibility (marketing, training, processing, management, etc.) in addition to sales, special personal qualities that enhance professionalism, and difficulties encountered in selling the product/service with a definition of how they were overcome and the level of growth achieved during first year.

Submission Requirements: Submit a one-page statement describing how nominee qualifies by meeting judging criteria plus any other pertinent comments. Include 1 photo of the nominee.

PA02: Salesperson of the Year

Judging Criteria:  Achievement of the highest total dollar volume (minimum $2.5 million required) of contracted sales from May 1, 2024, to March 15, 2026, as well as other areas of responsibility (marketing, training, processing, management etc.). Dollar volume of contracted sales is based on the final selling price. Highlight sales that were completed with another AAHBA member in good standing.

Submission Requirements: Address, date, and final sales price of each home sale from May 1, 2024, to March 15, 2026.  Submit a one-page description explaining how the nominee qualifies by meeting the judging criteria. Include a headshot of the salesperson. 

PA03- Marketing Professional of the Year

Judging Criteria: Development and implementation of marketing policy, including market research, product development, marketing plan, merchandising and advertising, special personal qualities that enhance professionalism, and difficulties encountered in marketing the product/service and how they were overcome.

Submission Requirements: Submit a one-page description outlining the nominee’s marketing plan for the year and how the nominee accomplished the goals and objectives. Include 1 photo of the nominee.

PA05- Mortgage Professional  of the Year

PA06: Attorney Professional of the Year

Judging Criteria: The Mortgage Professional & Attorney Professional of the Year will be judged on the basis of volume and units, schedule and kept appointments, creative follow-up strategies, professionalism, personal involvement in the industry and community, working relationships. The candidate must be employed by a member of the Athens Area HBA.

Submission Requirements: Submit a one-page description outlining nominee’s industry experience and how the nominee accomplished the goals and objectives in their job field. Include 1 photo of the nominee.