50th Annual ALCA Excellence in Landscaping Awards Competition

Award recipients will be recognized on November 21,2026

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

ELIGIBILITY:
Must be an ALCA Member. This competition recognizes and honors outstanding landscaping projects completed by ALCA contractors and designers throughout the state of Arizona. By participating, you have the opportunity to showcase your work and demonstrate your expertise in the industry. Winning an Excellence in Landscaping Award can also increase your visibility, enhance your reputation, and attract potential clients.

The competition is open to all ALCA members who have completed a landscape installation or an ongoing maintenance project in the last year. The categories include residential installation, commercial installation, residential maintenance, and commercial maintenance.

We’d like to emphasize the significance of authenticity in your work. By entering this competition, you acknowledge that all entries are entirely your original work, plans, or creations. Plagiarizing work undermines the integrity of the competition and disqualifies your contribution. We look forward to receiving your genuine submissions.

SHEARING DISCLAIMER - Shearing desert trees and shrubs into geometric shapes, such as balls, squares, or inverted pyramids goes against Sustainable Landscape Practices. Regular shearing weakens these shrubs, detracts from their beauty, discourages them from flowering, and shortens their lives. Entries that include shearing will be automatically disqualified.

PRICING:
Early Bird: $235 per entry (through May 31,2026)

Regular: $250 per entry (through June 28,2026)

Late $300 per entry (June 29 and June 30, 2026)

SUBMISSIONS MUST INCLUDE:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION—150 WORDS
Tell the story of your project. Explain the requirements and results as well as any challenges.
SITE PLAN—On a separate 8 1/2” x 11” sheet, attach a plan with property lines, shade in landscaped areas.
PHOTOGRAPHS
· Each project must have a minimum of 10 and maximum of 25 photographs that represent the items checked off on the work performed sheet.
· At least one photograph must be vertical.
· Pick one photo to be your “Plaque” photo that you want displayed on the award. Be sure to upload this photo into the separate Plaque Photo folder in the entry process. This photo must be horizontal.
· Submit a copy of your photos with an approximate size of 1200 x 1800 pixels at 300 dpi.
· Photos may not be altered to enhance finished product beyond adjustments to contrast and brightness.
· Photos and application must be submitted via this platform
**By submitting your application, you are granting ALCA permission to use any copyrighted photographs included in the application for promotional and educational purposes in ALCA publications, both digital and printed.

COMING SOON! WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW AWARD: THE SLM AWARD

AWARDS AND JUDGING:
Judges will assign a score for each entry. All of the judges’ scores will be averaged to determine the final score.
· 80% of the score will be judged on the technical criteria of the project. The description of the project will be read by the judges as the photos are reviewed. A score of 1 – 10 under each line item that the applicant selected as the work they performed. These scores will be added and averaged and account for 80% of the score.
· 20% of the score will be judged on the “aesthetics” section. Judges will assign a score of 1 – 10 for the following: Overall appearance, Complexity of project

Projects with scores of 90% + will be eligible for an Excellence award
Projects with scores of 80%+ will be eligible for an award of Distinction
Projects with scores of 70%+ will be eligible for a Judges award

**more than one award may be given in each category as projects are judged on individual merit**
All projects will be subject to an on-site visit to confirm scores. When all of the entries have been judged, the judges will review those projects that are eligible for the “Presidential” (best of show) & “Best Landscape Maintenance” awards.

Judging will take place throughout the month of June. Site visits will be coordinated in July. Award recipients will be notified in September and recognized in November at our Awards Gala. Date and Location TBD

Click above to register your project.

**ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE**

Arizona Landscape Contractor's Association

2026 Excellence in Landscaping

Do's and Don'ts