RNGD and Palmisano Foundation Take Home Multiple Honors at SMPS Southeast Louisiana Awards
RNGD and Palmisano Foundation Take Home Multiple Honors at SMPS Southeast Louisiana Awards
Organizations Recognized for Excellence in Event Marketing and Community Service at Annual SeLAbration Ceremony
RNGD and the Palmisano Foundation were celebrated as standout winners at the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Southeast Louisiana SeLAbration and Awards Ceremony held on August 21, bringing home three prestigious awards that recognize excellence in marketing communications and community impact.
Sweeping the Event Marketing Category
RNGD made a strong showing in the Communication Award – Event Marketing category, with both submissions earning recognition. The Lewter District Ground Breaking Event took top honors as the winner, while the RNGD Headquarters Ribbon Cutting Event (1450 L&A Road Grand Opening) earned First Runner Up distinction.
The judges were particularly impressed with RNGD’s innovative approach to event invitations and multimedia experiences. For the winning Lewter District project, judges praised the “multi-media experience you provided recipients with the PR box” and noted their appreciation for the unique giveaway elements. One judge remarked, “You guys clearly know your way around an event invite… They’re both so uniquely perfect for their event and so innovative!”
The RNGD Headquarters event also drew significant praise, with judges highlighting the innovative video packaging approach: “I didn’t even know you could package a video in that manner. How innovative! Also, what a beautiful way to get your invitation/message across in a way that felt uniquely personable.” Judges also noted the measurable impact, commenting that the event “increased website traffic which is a great indicator that it was more than just an event.”
The competition was notably close, with one judge stating, “It was like pulling teeth to choose who was the winner in this category”—demonstrating the exceptional quality of both submissions.
Community Service Recognition for Transformative Impact
The Palmisano Foundation’s Renegade Fest was honored as the winner in the Achievement Award – Community Service category. This recognition celebrates an initiative that has grown into far more than a traditional fundraiser—it has become a movement for change in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
In 2024 alone, Renegade Fest raised over $136,000, directly funding 24 scholarships for students pursuing careers in AEC. Since its inception, the event has evolved into what judges called “a dynamic platform for collective impact, uniting sponsors, nonprofit partners, industry leaders, and RNGD employees under a shared mission to build brighter futures.”
The judges were particularly moved by the event’s authentic approach to corporate social responsibility. They noted that “RNGD employees do not just attend; they lead. Through volunteerism, mentorship, and hands-on involvement, they play an integral role in shaping the event’s success and expanding its reach each year.” The nomination highlighted how Renegade Fest reflects “RNGD’s renegade mindset by disrupting traditional philanthropy with entrepreneurial spirit, community collaboration, and deep industry alignment.”
One judge concluded their assessment by stating: “By turning celebration into transformation, Renegade Fest is not only a model of effective community service, it is a movement.”
Excellence in Execution
Beyond the awards themselves, judge feedback reveals what set these submissions apart from the competition. The Lewter District project stood out for its authentic community connections—judges were particularly touched that “the original hardware store owners called to express their gratitude” for the thoughtful approach to the groundbreaking.
For both event marketing submissions, judges consistently praised RNGD’s attention to detail and innovative thinking. Comments like “this campaign illustrates well how you thought through the details of the event as a whole” and appreciation for the “uniquely personable” approaches demonstrate how RNGD elevates standard event marketing into memorable experiences that create lasting connections.
Industry Recognition
Zakeia Payne, Jake Bonin, and Olivia Matthews from 30 | 90 were in attendance to accept the awards on behalf of both organizations, representing the collaborative effort and dedication that made these achievements possible.
The SMPS Southeast Louisiana chapter’s annual awards program recognizes outstanding work in marketing, communications, and business development within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. These honors reflect not only creative excellence but also measurable results and positive community impact.
