In just a few months the 11th OutDoor Industry Award will pay tribute to product innovations for outdoor fans. This year’s contest, part of the OutDoor trade fair from July 13-16, 2016, will include several improved features, such as the new judging procedure (a two-stage process from now on) and a new award category for start-ups in the outdoor world. As of immediate effect, companies from the outdoor industry can submit their innovations for the OutDoor Industry Award. What’s more, they can do so whether they’re exhibiting at OutDoor or not.
“Since its launch, the OutDoor Industry Award has become an important way of gauging the innovativeness of products. It really helps users and retailers to navigate their way through the industry’s vast range of products. The judges’ decisions also frequently serve as valuable initial feedback on the market potential of new products and technologies,” comments Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen and an outdoor devotee himself.
This year the Start-up Award signals the introduction of a new, 11th product category. Young companies founded no longer than three years ago and that submit their product innovations in this category receive a discount on the registration fees. What’s more, as prize-winners they are also given a free stand in a prominent place on the award winners’ display during the OutDoor show.
This year the judging procedure for the OutDoor Industry Award has also been restructured. For the first time a short list will be drawn up beforehand. At the same time, a bigger judging panel consisting of 12 international experts will evaluate all the products submitted in a digital process.
Submissions that the judges believe are worth a second glance will proceed to the final round. Six judges will then spend two days testing and assessing the outdoor products. The winners of the Awards and Gold Awards will be chosen from those who have made it into the final round.
“The industry’s interest in the OutDoor Industry Award is growing every year. Last year, 329 new products were submitted for an OutDoor Industry Award and this year we’re again expecting more to be entered. In view of the large number of entries and to ensure proper and fair decisions, in 2016 we’ll be introducing a two-stage decision-making process for the first time. This will give members of the judging panel more time to assess really exciting innovations,” explains OutDoor project manager Dirk Heidrich.
As of immediate effect, companies can enter their outdoor product innovations for the OutDoor Industry Award online at www.outdoor-industry-award.de. The platform also includes detailed information on the procedure and terms and conditions.
