Best Firms To Work For Award 2026 – Benchmark Your AEC Culture

Why Enter the Best Firms To Work For Award?

The Best Firms To Work For Award (BFTWF) is the AEC industry’s leading employee survey and benchmarking program. It’s more than recognition—it’s a strategic tool for improving culture, retention, and engagement. By participating, your firm gains access to market research insights, survey responses, and AI-powered sentiment analysis that reveal what employees truly think. Use this data to strengthen recruitment, boost retention, and position your firm as an employer of choice.

Important Dates for 2026

• Registration Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Survey Completion Deadline: May 8, 2026

Award Process Overview

• Corporate and employee surveys are sent upon registration.
• Winners are determined by a combined score from the Corporate Survey and Employee Survey.
  
• Winners receive: 
  • A profile feature showcasing your achievement on ZweigList.com
  • An evergreen listing that lives on beyond awards season.
  • The opportunity to be interviewed and share your story with the industry.
  • Official digital winner badges for use on website, email signatures, proposals and social media. 
  • A certificate and stage recognition at the 2026 ElevateAEC Conference & Awards Gala in Park City, Utah

2026 Registration Pricing by Firm Size

Pricing is scaled by firm size to ensure accessibility for all AEC organizations:

• Under 50 employees: $1,800
• 50–99 employees: $2,000
• 100–249 employees: $2,300
• 250–499 employees: $2,600
• 500+ employees: $3,000

This fair pricing model reflects enhanced analytics and benchmarking features while remaining well below typical market research survey costs.

What’s Included in Your Registration

• A 150-question employee experience survey
• AEC industry benchmarking across key cultural metrics
• AI sentiment analysis for open-ended comments
• Year-over-year tracking for returning firms
• An interactive dashboard with downloadable data
• Eligibility for Best Firms To Work For recognition

Optional Enhancements for Deeper Insight

• Executive Summary Report (+$1,500): Analyst-written findings and recommendations
• Results Presentation (+$2,000): A 1-hour virtual session with a Zweig consultant
• Demographic Breakdown Report ($3,000–$5,000): Detailed segmentation by office, tenure, experience, age, and job title

Contact Kyle Ahern at kahern@zweiggroup.com for more information about optional enhancements.

What Makes BFTWF Unique?

• Largest and most affordable employee survey program in the AEC industry
• Enhanced analytics, including AI-powered sentiment analysis
• Year-over-year cultural tracking for returning firms
• Scaled pricing for accessibility
• Benchmarking against millions of survey responses collected annually

This program combines market research rigor with actionable insights tailored to AEC firms.

Legacy Award: Celebrating a Decade of Excellence

Firms that rank in the top 3 of any category for 10 consecutive years earn permanent Legacy Firm status—a lifetime designation as a Best Firm To Work For. This prestigious recognition honors enduring commitment to cultural excellence and employee experience.

Privacy & Contact Information

Zweig Group will never disclose the names of firms that apply and do not make the list.
Questions? Contact our Awards team at awards@zweiggroup.com.