You’ve entered your project in the 2008 Best of 50+ Housing Awards competition. You are confident that you have an excellent chance to walk off with a Gold Award. Hopefully, the judges will agree. To make a great impression with the judges, here are a few helpful hints from judge Doug Ahlstrom of KKE Architects in Las Vegas, Nev.

• Explain why you are in a particular category. “It’s a good idea to give enough background about your project to show why you qualify for that category,” Ahlstrom says. “For example, in the design categories you should describe why you entered your project as assisted living, instead of congregate/independent living, special needs housing or another service-enriched category. Make sure your narrative explains what your community is all about.”
  
  
• Tailor your descriptions and photos to match the relevant category. “For example, if you are entering your clubhouse, make it the focus of your narrative and include a range of photos that illustrate your clubhouse from different angles," Ahlstrom says. "Remember to stick with your category. If your project is worthy, it will win over the judges.”
  
  
• A little color can’t hurt. “When you’re submitting floor plans, site plans or renderings, it helps if they are in color. Using colorful, high-quality photographs and graphics helps the judges see the different nuances of your project and it’s easier on the eyes.”
  
  
• Simpler is better. Ahlstrom encourages entrants to use bullet points in the responses and descriptions. “Some of the categories have a large number of entries. Try to keep your text concise and use bullet points to summarize your key points," Ahlstrom says. "This will allow the judges to absorb the key information on your project. Simpler is usually better.”
  
  
• Save the “marketing” language for the marketing categories. “In the design categories, the judges aren’t looking to see your marketing creativity. They want to know about how your project works, how it was designed and any challenges you might have faced along the way,” Ahlstrom says. “The marketing categories allow you to wow the judges with your marketing savvy.”

Ahlstrom’s closing advice? “Pay attention to the categories and stay on topic. Keep it simple and you’ll be ahead of the game.”

The entry deadline for the 2008 Best of 50+ Housing Awards is Friday, Feb. 29. This year’s awards ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 20, in New Orleans during Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium^SM. For more information about the awards, including categories and entry criteria, go to www.nahb.org/50plusawards. Or contact the 50+Housing Council at 800-368-5242 8220 or e-mail 50plus@nahb.com.

For more information on the 2008 Best of 50+ Housing Awards, check out the story in this issue of 50+ Housing e/Source.

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