The history of the legendary SAM statuette originates in 1979, when the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB*) Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM) created the MIRM Awards to honor the best in new-home marketing. In 1995, MIRM joined forces with the MAXSEL Awards, which were presented by the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC**) to recognize achievements by sales professionals. The celebration of superlative standards of performance established by these two industry leaders became the foundation for the combined National Sales & Marketing Awards — better known as The Nationals^SM.

Now the largest and most prestigious competition in North America for new-home sales and marketing professionals, associates, builders and communities, today’s competition reflects years of improvements and refinements. In response to feedback from Sales and Marketing Councils across the continent, our categories are regularly updated and effectively linked to real-world challenges and strategies. The commitment to innovation and imagination that has been the competition’s hallmark since inception proudly continues — representing a wide range of disciplines in product and community creation and marketing, as well as sales accomplishments by individuals, teams and councils.

“The Nationals awards are the ultimate measurement tool for Milesbrand. It’s how we know where we stand in comparison to our competition. Year after year, we look forward to experiencing and learning from participating firms—the most talented, strategic and creative forces in the new home industry. But there is another key benefit as well. Our consistent recognition for excellence from the Nationals has been a major source of growing and maintaining our business. So in a very real sense, the Nationals are an essential element for maintaining our brand identity within the industry we so passionately serve.”
~ David Miles, MIRM, CSP, CAASH, Legend of Residential Marketing 2016 / President, Brand Strategist, Milesbrand

“The Nationals Awards competition has always been the benchmark for our work, because it showcases what’s trending in the real estate world. More than an art show, winners have a proven track record of success — whether it’s sales, overcoming challenges or both. The Nationals provides a unique opportunity for builders to see who their competition is, how they’re marketing their projects and what strategies and messages are appealing to today’s buyers.”
~ Toni Alexander, President & Creative Director, InterCommunicationsInc®

“Our entire team has been overwhelmed with the response to Skye Palm Springs from both our professional peers and our homebuyers. Our leadership knew immediately that this property was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and taking the gold at The Nationals was a highlight. We put our heart and soul into this community and the recognition by the industry and our peers was the icing on the cake.”
~ Karen Spargo, Vice President, Woodbridge Pacific Group

“Since winning our first award in 1983, through today, each award has been most meaningful and exciting for our builders, developers, creative teams and our fantastic team! The awards have opened up national and international channels of business development for us! Thank you NAHB and NSMC! ONwards and UPwards!”
~ S. Robert August, BA, MIM, NAHB Senior Life Director, Fellow, MIRM, CMP, CSP, MCSP, CAASH, CLIPP / President, North Star Synergies, Inc.

“My first exposure to The Nationals was in the late ’90s and immediately it was evident that this is where the absolute top talent was showcased in product, design, advertising and sales excellence. When you’re in the ballroom and see the creativity of the finalists and winners, it proves that doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways is how you rise to the top. Personally, it was an arena that I was driven to compete in.”
~ Janis K. Randazzo, Principal/CEO, Strategic Sales and Marketing Group

“The Nationals is a unique event to experience the best of residential marketing with associates, friends and new acquaintances. It presents new opportunities for new friends and great discussions of where promotion is going in our industry.”
~ Chuck Graham, 2018 Legend in Residential Marketing

“As a comparatively small, local builder, being recognized at the national level year after year is a significant accomplishment for our company, and one that our team members take great pride in. Each year we look forward to competing with the best of the best in our industry, checking out what other companies have produced, and seeing how our own hard work measures up. Of course winning is the best part!”
~ Alyssa Titus, Director of Marketing, Schell Brothers

“What do the Nationals mean to me? Winning a Nationals’ award is validation of ground-breaking ideas and unprecedented achievement in our industry. Whether in sales success, marketing prowess, or design excellence, the Nationals Awards program recognizes the best that our industry has to offer.

“As a business owner, The Nationals allows my teams to learn what others around the country are doing, and improves what we do because of that exposure. It gives everyone a sense of what must be accomplished to be the best of the best. The Nationals are both a learning tool and a motivational experience.

“Attending the Nationals is also a team building experience. We care passionately about the competition, the winners, and what it takes to get there. We cheer for the work we feel is excellent. We care when our colleagues are recognized. And certainly, when we do win an award, it is our proudest moment.”
~ Adrienne Albert, Legend of Residential Marketing, The Marketing Directors

“The Nationals sets the bar for sales, marketing and design. It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by the BEST in housing and it’s impossible for anyone to leave the awards without an elevated level of pride for our industry. It’s a special and unique accomplishment to be a part of moving the industry forward.”
~ Mollie Elkman, Group Two Advertising

“Being honored by The Nationals has tremendous value for us because everyone in our industry knows these awards are among the most prestigious in the nation. Because of that, the competition is quite rigorous. Thus, being honored is exactly that, it is an honor. Our sales staff diligently and successfully uses this recognition to help us stand out above our competitors…and it works. The honor is also a very qualified and gratifying thank you to our employees and our consultants.”
~ Bill Pisetsky, Vice President, Howard Hughes Corporation

*ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

**ABOUT NSMC: The National Sales and Marketing Council has been promoting professionalism in sales and marketing in the home building industry for 50 years. To help builders sell homes more effectively, the council provides onsite sales and marketing training; offers awards, recognition and designation programs; and provides sales and marketing support to NAHB members, committees and councils. The council serves 3,700 NSMC members and supports 75 local sales and marketing councils across the United States. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/nsmc.