THE AWARD CEREMONY
The main objective for an FDG Marketing Intern is to undergo the challenging task of award writing. This is a sequence of compiling information and images for specific properties to enter into the competitions. As discussed in my previous blog, “Awards, Awards, and More Awards,” I spent the summer of 2019 working on entries for the Aurora Awards.
COVID-19 has made a lot of changes to how the awards are conducted and celebrated, moving most of the ceremonies online or cancelling all together to adhere to social distancing regulations. However, with award season being in full-swing, I want to take you on my journey to the 2019 Aurora Awards ceremony in enchanting Orlando, Florida.
Last year was a big year for awards at FDG with hours of hard work, communication, and teamwork that led to countless first place victories, all of which began with the Aurora Awards. I was elated to receive an email from Kristene stating five of the entries were being considered for the first-place title, and more so that I was being sent to attend the ceremony with Myles, one of the designers that worked on three of the properties, and FDG’s COO, Michelle.
The following Friday, Mules and I met at the airport at the crack of dawn, anxious to catch our flight to Orlando. When we arrived in beautiful Florida, Myles tracked down an Uber to the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center. Myles was helpful in showing me the ropes for my first real business trip.
We reached the convention center in time to attend part of the Southeast Building Conference, the host for the Aurora Awards. The SEBC provides an opportunity to reach the enormous home building market in the southern region. It was also an interesting opportunity to attend my first business conference as a young professional.
As the award ceremony approached, women were draped in flowing gowns and burly construction men were dolled up in elegant suits. Michelle, Myles, and I maneuvered our way through the thickening crowd toward our table. Large, vibrant bouquets in even larger crystal vases and white decor with gold accents adorned every inch of the banquet hall as shimmering lights whirled in a circular motion to spotlight every table.
Dinner came next, a mouthwatering array of chicken, mashed potatoes, and asparagus with caramel cheesecake for dessert. The dancing lights began to dim, alerting us to the start of the main event. Myles and I shared the same apprehension while Michelle sat composed in her chair next to me. She was a pillar of confidence.
As the emcee began making his way through the categories, I felt my fingers fidgeting in my lap as nerves seemed to overtake me. The room was silent as the emcee reached our first of five categories, listing off the entries like an eloquent Shakespearean character. When it was time to announce the winner, he paused to build anticipation before calling out our property and the crowd immediately erupted into cheers. It was the first of four.
Each time we received an award, Myles and Michelle took to the stage to accept the crystal trophies. Michelle provided the audience with background on FDG and the incredible team that made our success possible. I was ushered onto the stage to help accept the third award, while Michelle spoke about the interns that have come through FDG and the impact the internships have on young professionals.
Everything she said was true. The incredible opportunities I was able to experience since starting in April 2019 were more than most others get to experience throughout their four years of college. And what’s more is that the experiences just keep coming.
We left the Aurora Awards with four first place trophies and one second place. I was excited that we had done so well, and even happier that I was able to be part of that process. I was also proud of myself and what I had accomplished, and I was excited to get back to continue the good work, which led to many, many more victories.
COVID-19 has rocked the world of architecture and interior design awards. In looking back, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to venture to Florida before the virus hit the U.S. Each experience I had while preparing for and during the awards greatly benefitted my knowledge of the professional world and prepared me for what was to come after college.
