The entry window for the 6th annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards is now open, and entries are due April 24.
The awards recognize the most innovative new outdoor products, services, and materials introduced in the past year.
Enter in 15 categories, including Apparel, Backpacks, Camping, Climbing, Footwear, Materials, Retail, Water Sports, Winter Sports and more. The annual awards are open to products from all seasons.
Finalists and winners will be on display and celebrated at a reception during Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design + Innovation Summer this June in Salt Lake.
Get your gear in the running for recognition among the best in outdoor!
Submit an Entry:
Website link: https://outdoorretailer.com/events-education/innovation-awards/
Direct entry link: https://innovationawards.secure-platform.com/a
CRITERIA
Entries will be evaluated by the judging panel for their Spark, Desire, Function, and Impact.
Spark: concept, design, appeal
Desire: opportunity, differentiation
Function: innovation, functionality, insight
Impact: cultural, environmental, business
Spark
- Concept: Story of the product or service – its origin and the discovery process.
- Design: Development process from idea to prototype to market (if applicable), contributing factors, and collaboration efforts.
- Appeal: Aesthetic qualities, design elements and overall character that make the product or service visually appealing.
Desire
- Opportunity: How did the product or service fill a need or solve a problem? Did it create a new category?
- Differentiation: What sets the product or service apart in the industry? What makes it original? What advantage does it provide?
Function
- Innovation: Degree of innovation for the product or service; its transformative impact. How is the product or service fundamentally different?
- Functionality: Purpose of the product or service; how it works/functions; its purpose and usability.
- Insight: Feedback or results as a result of product testing, consumer research or audience analysis.
Impact
- Cultural: Relevance of the product or service to the industry or marketplace overall; its potential or current impact on society; its reach; how it is socially responsible and equitable.
- Environmental: Sustainability efforts around the product or service; demonstration of environmental responsibility or stewardship of natural resources; mitigation of climate impacts.
- Business: Business or economic value of the product or service, its marketability, cost and benefits.
