Celebrate with us on November 13, 2025
We’ll honor finalists and award winners in each of the categories below. Nominations are now closed.
The ACI Awards aren’t your typical rubber-chicken dinner, but a high-energy happy hour and program that celebrates the best of Cincinnati’s commercial construction community — no long program, no plated lunch, just good company, drinks, and recognition where it’s due.
We’ll honor outstanding individuals and organizations who are raising the bar— from skilled tradespeople to rising young professionals to companies and educators driving workforce development.
This is your chance to connect with peers, celebrate industry excellence, and be part of an event that shines a spotlight on the people and organizations shaping the future.
November 13, 2025, 4 -7 pm, Kenwood Country Club
Finalists will be announced on October 18, 2025.
Winners will be announced on November 1, 2025, and all Finalists and Winners will be celebrated on November 13.
ACI Awards: November 13, 2025, Kenwood Country Club 4 pm – 7 pm. Tickets & sponsorship opportunities here.
NOTE: Awards in the safety category will be honored at the 2026 ACI Safety Day and Conference on February 10, 2026.
ACI Skilled Trade Awards (10 awards given)
Awarded to outstanding craft persons (individuals) in the first five years of their career who have demonstrated a talent, passion, and skill set to achieve excellence in craftsmanship and have positively contributed to their organization. Nominations should cite examples of technical skills, soft skills, and personal attributes that show early signs of success in their career.
- Nominee must be in a skilled trade role within the commercial construction industry.
- Must have fewer than 5 years of field experience in the construction trades as of November 13, 2025.
- Must be an employee of an ACI member organization.
- Nominations must be submitted by a supervisor, manager, instructor, or organizational leader.
- Describe the nominee’s background and current role.
- Highlight specific examples of excellence aligned with the award description above.
- Share one impactful story or moment that exemplifies the nominee’s potential.
- No more than 2 nominees from a single organization, no more than 1 winner from a single organization.
Workforce Champion (Individual from a Built Environment Company)
Awarded to an individual within the built environment sector who has made a transformative impact on workforce development through innovation, leadership, and strategic programming. This person has championed construction-based education, outreach, training, and culture shifts that address industry challenges and help attract, train, and retain talent.
- Nominees in this category are known for launching legacy initiatives, navigating uncharted territory, and offering fresh, practical solutions to close workforce and skills gaps within the construction industry.
- Nominee must work for a built environment company.
- Must demonstrate a track record of innovation and impact in workforce development. (Include metrics of success.)
- Programs or efforts led by the nominee should be scalable, replicable, or enduring in nature.
- Describe the nominee’s background and current role.
- Highlight specific examples of excellence aligned with the award description:
- Development or leadership of new workforce initiatives, programs, or partnerships.
- Unique or creative approaches to solving workforce shortages or skills gaps.
- Clear outcomes such as increased hires, training completions, retention, or upskilling.
- Share one impactful story or moment that exemplifies the nominee’s impact.
Workforce Champion (A Community Organization)
This award honors a community-based organization that has made significant contributions to diversifying and strengthening the construction workforce by creating inclusive pathways into the trades for women, veterans, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The recipient actively works to remove barriers, fill skills gaps, and build partnerships that connect underserved populations to sustainable careers in the commercial construction industry.
- Must be a community-serving organization that supports workforce or economic development.
- Must have a demonstrated impact on inclusion, equity, or access in the construction industry.
- Should be recognized for creating or expanding programs that open opportunities for underrepresented individuals.
- Articulate how the nominee demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding access for women, veterans, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.
- Share how the nominee develops programs or partnerships that foster long-term equity in construction careers.
- Outline quantifiable metrics that illustrate the impact of programs.
Early Impact Champion (Individual, Young Professional)
Awarded to an exceptional individual in the first ten years of their construction career who is already making a meaningful impact on their organization, projects, and the broader industry.
This award honors rising professionals who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and passion for the built environment. Recipients serve as positive representatives of the construction industry—whether on the jobsite, in the office, or out in the community and show strong potential as future industry leaders.
- Individuals with 10 or fewer years of experience in the construction or built environment industry.
- Open to professionals across all disciplines (project management, field operations, design, estimating, safety, HR, workforce, etc.).
- Leadership potential and early career accomplishments.
- Initiative and innovation in their role or work.
- Commitment to collaboration and industry excellence.
- Positive impact on projects, peers, and the construction community.
Apprenticeship Program of the Year
This award honors an apprenticeship program, union or non-union, that demonstrates outstanding commitment to talent development, technical training, and workforce inclusion. The recognized program shows measurable success in preparing workers for long-term careers in the commercial construction industry.
- Open to all registered union and non-union apprenticeship programs operating in the region.
- Demonstrates clear evidence of:
- High program quality and rigor.
- Strong retention and completion rates.
- Diversity and inclusion efforts.
- Employer and community partnerships.
She Builds Award
The She Builds Award celebrates a woman in construction who is breaking barriers, creating space for others, and leading through impact, mentorship, and excellence. Whether on the jobsite, in the classroom, or behind the scenes, this individual is committed to growing the industry and empowering the next generation of builders.
- Open to women at any level of experience or position in commercial construction.
- Must demonstrate leadership, advocacy, or mentorship for others in the industry.
- Actively uplifts women, youth, or underrepresented individuals entering construction.
- Provide tangible examples of:
- The nominee’s role and impact.
- Examples of mentorship, advocacy, or workplace leadership.
- Barriers overcome and contributions to a more inclusive industry.
Workforce Development Educator of the Year
This award honors an individual educator or administrator who demonstrates outstanding commitment to preparing students for careers in construction and the skilled trades. Whether in the classroom, lab, shop, or community, this educator is a champion for workforce readiness and a trusted guide for future construction professionals.
- Middle school and high school teachers.
- CTE and career pathway coordinators.
- Non-profit instructors or workforce program staff.
- Skilled trades or craft training instructors (union or non-union).
- Must actively teach or coordinate education programs that promote careers in the built environment.
- May represent a public, charter, private school, non-profit organization, or training/apprenticeship provider.
- Demonstrates strong partnership with industry and a clear focus on student success in construction careers.
- Show examples of how the educator:
- Promotes construction careers to youth or adults.
- Collaborates with employers, trades, or post-secondary programs.
- Creates engaging, hands-on, and career-aligned instruction.
- Inspires student interest and supports real-world success.
Industry Icon
Awarded to an outstanding, experienced individual in the commercial construction trades who possesses not only technical expertise but personal qualities that make them highly effective. By embodying these qualities, they have earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, clients, and supervisors. The nomination should cite examples of their technical expertise, problem-solving and communication skills, attention to detail and commitment to safety, adaptability, mentorship, time management, and work ethic. The ACI Industry Icon, above all, is an exemplary stellar industry citizen who produces stellar work and inspires others to do the same.
- Must have 10 or more years of experience in the commercial construction trades.
- Must be employed by or contracted with an organization in the built environment industry (e.g., general contractor, subcontractor, union, or trades company).
- Consistent demonstration of technical excellence and personal integrity.
- Positive influence on team culture, safety, and project delivery.
- Commitment to mentoring or uplifting others in the field.
- Reputation as a stellar industry citizen who embodies the best of commercial construction trades.