Calibre Wins Big at 2025 SMPS Colorado Marketing Excellence Awards with Eight Honors, Including Best in Show and People’s Choice

Calibre Engineering Strategic Communications Team - Becky Barvinchak, Wendy Smith, and Maia Thompson

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO (May 22, 2025) — Calibre Engineering made a bold statement at the 2025 SMPS Colorado Marketing Excellence Awards, held Thursday evening at Balistreri Vineyards, earning an impressive eight awards, including the coveted Best in Show and People’s Choice awards for its vibrant and visionary "Gateway to Adventure" campaign.

The event spotlighted the region’s top talent in A/E/C marketing, and Calibre emerged as the night’s standout. The firm’s award-winning entries spanned across a diverse range of categories, reinforcing its reputation as a creative powerhouse. In addition to Best in Show and People’s Choice, Calibre received honors in:

• Holiday Piece (Print) for its nostalgic LEGO® client appreciation kits

• Project Pursuit Marketing for the immersive "Gateway to Adventure" proposal

• Promotional and Leadership & Belonging Campaigns for the “2024 Leadership Series”

• Social Media for its superhero-themed "Engineers Week 2024" celebration

Calibre’s marketing efforts reflect a company-wide commitment to creativity, impact, and client-focused storytelling. The team’s travel magazine-inspired proposal for Origin Park Wild Water, for example, not only earned a multi-million dollar contract but also redefined how engineering firms can emotionally connect with clients through branding and vision.

The evening also brought a powerful individual recognition: Wendy Smith, Calibre’s Strategic Communications Manager, was named 2025 SMPS Colorado Marketer of the Year. Praised as a visionary leader and cultural changemaker, Smith was recognized for spearheading award-winning campaigns, driving firm-wide growth, and mentoring the next generation of A/E/C marketers.

“These awards are not just a recognition of our work,” said Emily Villines, Vice President of Strategic Communications. “It’s a reflection of our values—storytelling, service, and strategy. I’m proud of our team for pushing boundaries and using marketing to uplift not just our brand, but our people and our profession.”

With 30% staff growth, 0% turnover, and a wave of national recognition, 2024–2025 has marked a breakout year for Calibre. These awards celebrate a firm that’s building more than infrastructure—it’s building a legacy of leadership, creativity, and community impact.

Calibre Engineering is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing civil, structural, and whitewater engineering services in the United States and across the globe. Since its founding in 2000, Calibre has supported over $10 billion in infrastructure and development projects in the private, public, and federal sectors. With offices in Colorado, California, and North Carolina, the firm is committed to bringing out the best in people and communities through high-calibre exploration, service, and support. Learn more at www.calibre-engineering.com. 

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