Los Angeles — Entries are in for the 2007 ÈLAN Awards and the judges have announced the finalists! Southern California builders, designers, and marketing and merchandising professionals entered their best projects in hopes of earning a spot among the building industry's elite next month — Oct. 6. This year's gala, dubbed Silver 25, celebrates a quarter century of epic talent.

ÉLAN finalists were chosen from hundreds of entries. Winners will be announced the night of the awards show and for the first time in 25 years, ÉLAN winners will take home a trophy dressed for the 21st century — one dipped in silver.

2007 ÉLAN Awards finalists include: JM Development Inc.; Lennar Homes, John Laing Homes — L.A./Ventura Division; Centex Homes — Central Coast Division; Pardee Homes; Standard Pacific Homes; Laing Luxury; D.R. Horton — L.A. Division; MBK Homes; Brookfield Homes Southland; Opus West; Shea Homes; John Laing Homes — Inland Division; Lee Homes; Trans West Housing; K. Hovnanian; Trimark Pacific Homes; Larwin Company; Pacific Heritage Homes; Castle & Cooke; KB Urban; Newhall Land; SunCal Companies, Regis Homes, GTO Development LLC, Pulte Homes, Pacific Crest Communities, Barker Pacific Group, Macy & Associates, Roberts Companies; Woodbridge Capital; Fifield Companies; Integral Communities; Dasher Lawless; Barratt American Homes; John Laing Urban, Gatehouse Capital; Anastasi Development Company; RWR Homes; Image Interiors Design Group; Homebuyers Guide; 5th Gear Advertising; The Patrician Company and American Housing Group. To view a complete list of this year's finalists — visit www.smclav.com.

This year's ÈLAN Awards celebration will feature some of the most prominent architectural designs, interior merchandising ideas, marketing concepts and sales professional success from 2007.

Silver 25 will be presented in the Crystal Ballroom at the historic Beverly Hills Hotel. The reception will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner following and the awards program beginning at 7 p.m.

The 25th anniversary of this prestigious awards ceremony has set the tone for what is expected to be one of the most memorable evenings of the year. "Silver 25 is not only about recognizing achievements of this last year, but also paying homage to the achievements of our entire industry over the past 25 years in an unforgettable way," said Amanda Larson, ÈLAN Awards co-chairman.

Presented by the Sales & Marketing Council (SMC) of Los Angeles/Ventura County, the ÉLAN Awards celebrates the success of homebuilding sales, marketing and merchandising, and honors the key figures attributing to that success. It also is named one of the industry's most esteemed award programs in the country.

The ÉLAN Awards are an increasingly popular and successful building industry event, with sold-out attendance every year. Companies are encouraged to reserve their spot as soon as possible.

Various sponsorship packages are offered to builders and associates, as well as tables and individual tickets for sale.

For more information on this year's event, sponsorship opportunities, or tickets, visit www.smclav.com or call Lisa Parrish at (909) 978-2758.

The mission of The Sales & Marketing Council of Los Angeles and Ventura County is to foster increased knowledge, provide ongoing education, and promote excellence among industry professionals involved in the sales and marketing of new homes throughout Southern California.

The L.A./Ventura SMC offers its members access to a host of valuable programs, fun networking opportunities, and important educational updates, as well as access to the industry's premier professional designation programs for marketing (MIRM) and sales (CSP) professionals through the Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM).

For more information please contact Lisa Parrish at (909) 987-2758.

For more information on SMC log onto www.smclav.com.