I currently run the architecture awards program for the Florida/Caribbean Region and am looking to entice new members of our association to enter the awards. Not to mention, our theme is connecting people and places.
In terms of early American leadership, Washington and Jefferson's regard for architecture is evident. Additionally, I know that the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial are all products of design competitions...but what are some others around the country... or are there any "starchitects" who have rose to their position as elite architects due to a breakthrough with a competition entry?
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the first modern skyscraper for a competition (but failed since he broke almost all the rules), but also got recognition which helped him build his skyscrapers and become famous etc.
The Washington Vietnam war Memorial that looks like a boomerang (im australian so... ye...) was also part of a competition with a really vague concept that somehow won. The winner of that was on the panel that chose the recent London Olympics architect.
So you can say that competitions do play a large role in affecting the designs of communities and buildings, but the winners themselves will go on and use the prestige of winning competitions to design many more great things.
That said with this competition are you going for modern or more older designs? Personally i really really really hate the new schools of architecture especially Frank Geary and the likes of that with their symbolistc, interpratistic, and all the "istic" designs which look... insert bad words here.
EDIT: Part of the reason i hate the new schools of design is because i dropped out of Architecture at uni because of them. Since unis dont actually have proper architecture teachers but actual architects that know nothing about teaching, its all dependent on their personal tastes which means if you dont do what they want you will fail regardless of how well you did the project. They also use words like "ergonomic" and "egalitarian" which makes no sense in terms of design. sorry i just had to get this rant out, just seeing the current trend of architectural designs and im very depressed at what the next 20 years will be... all curvy and shiny and pointless.