Nominations for the 6th annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards closes on Wednesday, April 24 at 8 p.m. ET (5PT). These awards are designed to recognize cutting-edge and carefully considered products and retail services, as made famous at the trade show.
Two rounds of judging will be conducted. All entries must first be submitted online through the official online entry form, and include photos (minimum of two), video (optional) and complete written submission.
After the period closes, a panel of expert judges, as determined by Outdoor Retailer, will review all completed submissions. Judges will evaluate submitted products and services based on certain awards criteria, using a points-based voting system. Finalists will be selected and announced on May 22, 2024. The finalists will be evaluated by the panel of judges, based on the awards criteria, to determine product of the year and winners.
Innovation Awards judges will evaluate based on four criteria:
- Spark: concept, design, appeal
- Desire: opportunity, differentiation
- Function: innovation, functionality, insight
- Impact: cultural, environmental, business
Each submission must be a single product or service, not a line, and submissions must have a completed entry form and fee. Judges reserve the right to reassign products to other categories if necessary. All questions on the entry form must be completed. All decisions by the judges are final. All questions on the entry form must be answered to the fullest extent, providing judges the ability to better understand the product or service and its innovative characteristics. Failure to complete required fields may result in disqualification.
Award categories include:
- Accessories – Binoculars, cleaning products, drinkware, filtration devices, first aid, flashlights and headlamps, goggles, hygiene products, knives, pet products, sunglasses, tools, towels, travel equipment, vehicle racks, etc.
- Apparel – Belts, bottoms (all layers), gloves, headwear, tops (all layers), etc.
Backpacks / Bags / Luggage – Backpacks, bags, camera bags, child carriers, hydration systems, mobile phone cases, notebook cases, shoulder bags, travel luggage, waistpacks, etc. - Books / Electronic Applications / Electronics – Batteries and chargers, books, electronic equipment, mobile apps, pulse monitors, watches, etc.
- Camping – Camping stoves, coolers, hammocks, lamps, lanterns, outdoor cookware and kitchenware, outdoor furniture, outdoor kitchens, tarps, tents, etc.
- Climbing – Belay and rappel devices, carabiners, harnesses, helmets, ice tools (axes, crampons, etc.), quickdraws, ropes, slacklines, trekking poles, etc.
- Consumables – Drinks and drink powders, food and ingredients, nutrition products, prepared meals, supplements, etc.
- Cycling – Bicycles, related components and accessories, etc.
- Footwear – Boots, gaiters, shoes, socks, etc.
- Materials – Coatings, composites, fabrics, fibers, materials, membranes, new materials, polymers, findings, etc.
- Retail – Merchandising, consumer outreach, retail store/shop and ecommerce programs, etc.
- Sleeping – Blankets, bivouacs, camping mats, liners, mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags, etc.
Support Services – Programs, products, software or services designed to support retailers, shops and/or brands. - Water Sports – Buoyancy aids, canoes, dinghies, inflatables, kayaks, life jackets, paddles, repair and maintenance, stand-up paddleboards, water sport apparel, watersports racks and accessories, etc.
- Winter Sports – Bindings, poles, ski and snowboard boots, skis, snowboards, snowshoes, etc.
Awards may be presented without respect to specific categories, and judges may choose to not recognize winners in every category. Each winning entry must prove particular innovation as determined by the panel of judges. There will be no refunds for categories that do not have a winner.
Entrants do not need to exhibit at Outdoor Retailer to be eligible. Exhibit booth and sponsorship opportunities are available – learn more.
Products and services must have been unveiled to the market in any capacity during the 2023 calendar year. Products from all seasons are eligible for these one-time-a-year awards. Product prototypes, previews and beta services will be accepted. All entries will be seen by the judging panel. If the product is selected as a finalist, it will be on display during Outdoor Retailer Summer show at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Finalists will be notified by May 22, at which time they will be required to provide professional-quality, high-resolution electronic photographs. Video is optional, but highly recommended. Linked video and photos are an option.
Winners from all seasons will be recognized at reception on June 18, 2024 during Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design + Innovation Summer in Salt Lake City, Utah.
No monetary prizes will be awarded. All Finalists will be on display in the innovation gallery throughout Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design + Innovation Summer, June 17-19 in Salt Lake City. Winners will also be featured on outdoorretailer.com, as well as additional Outdoor Retailer content and communications. All products will be considered by the Outdoor Retailer marketing and promotions team for future placement.
A representative from each Finalist company is invited to receive their award during the awards reception on June 18, 2024.
For more information, click here.
Visit outdoorretailer.com to learn more about the trade show, exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, and to see past award winners.
