Award Winner Preparation & Details

To prepare your award presentation, staging, and media experience, please submit all required information by Friday, April 3, 2026.

A form to collect this information has been shared by the EEA Gala Administrators via email.

You’ll be asked to provide:

• Firm and project name (as announced and displayed)

• On-site primary contact (name, email, mobile)

• On-stage recipient(s) (up to 4 names and titles)

• Name pronunciations

• Formal photo participants (up to 5 names)

• Red Carpet interview spokesperson

• Accessibility or dietary requests (if applicable)

Gala tickets may be purchased individually or as tables through the registration portal.

Registration deadline: April 10, 2026

Tickets and credentials are picked up on site prior to the evening program. Our registration team will be happy to assist when you arrive.

Rehearsal

Grand and Honor Award winners participate in a stage rehearsal and positioning walk-through on Gala day so you feel fully prepared and confident for your presentation moment.

Rehearsals take place during the 2:45–4:00 PM Award Winner Rehearsals & Formal Photography window. Our production team will guide you throughout. It is strongly recommended that you attend rehearsal wearing the formal attire and shoes you plan to wear for the Gala to ensure comfort and ease when navigating the stage and steps.

Grand and Honor Award winners are presented on stage during the Dinner & Awards Program (7:00–10:00 PM).

Your designated four recipients will be guided on stage to receive the award and participate in the presentation photo moment. Remarks are typically brief unless coordinated in advance with production.

Formal portraits are captured prior to the Gala program.

Please note that up to 5 individuals may participate in the Grand and Honor Award formal photographs per project.

Please attend your assigned session and arrive ready in full black-tie attire. Photos will take place in the Cabinet Room-Declaration Level (1B).

There are also plenty of additional opportunities to capture celebratory moments with our professional photographers on the Red Carpet and at the Selfie Booth.

Grand and Honor Award winners are welcome to participate in the EEA Gala Red Carpet (4:00–6:00 PM).

You and your team are invited for brief video or photo interviews highlighting your project and team.

Participation is coordinated onsite by our media team.

The Engineering Excellence Awards Gala is a black-tie celebration. Guests typically wear tuxedos, gowns, or other formal evening attire.

Tuxedo Rentals — M. Stein & Company

For your convenience, tuxedo rentals are available through M. Stein & Company. Simply mention “ACEC Group” when ordering to receive preferred pricing.

Preferred Pricing

• Order by April 5

  • $140 without shoes

  • $155 with shoes

• After April 5

  • $170 without shoes

  • $200 with shoes

Ordering early provides the best pricing and widest size availability.

How to Reserve
Visit the M. Stein website or call (202) 659-1434 or (301) 703-9422.

Pickup & Return
Your rental will be delivered to the hotel concierge. You may pick it up prior to the Gala and return it to the concierge afterward — no additional travel needed.

Engineering Excellence Awards Gala
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC

To view the detailed schedule, click here.

Schedule (room name/level to be announced)

• 2:45–3:15 PM — Grand & Honor Awardees Rehearsal
• 3:15–4:00 PM — Formal Photographs
• 4:00–6:00 PM — Red Carpet Interviews
• 7:00–10:00 PM — Dinner & Awards Program
• 10:00 PM — After-Party

If you’re attending the Gala, your award will be placed on the table assigned to the firm representative and/or the client.

Once the Gala concludes, the ACEC team will have your award boxes available outside the ballroom for easy pickup and safe transport in your personal luggage.

Alternatively, you may drop off your awards directly at the FedEx office in the hotel the following day.