Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards 2024 FAQ
When can I submit?
The 6th annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards will open at 9 a.m. PDT on March 13, 2024, and close on April 24, 2024, at 5 p.m. PST. All entries must be received by the Entry Deadline. Any entries received after the Entry Deadline will not be considered by the judges.
How old/new does my product or service need to be in order to be eligible?
Products and services must have been unveiled to the market in any capacity – to the industry/trade and/or consumers – in the 2023 calendar year, January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. Products from all seasons – winter, spring, summer, fall – are eligible for these once-a-year-awards. Product prototypes, previews, and beta services will be accepted. All entries will be seen by the judging panel, and if the product is selected as a Finalist, it will be revealed with the May 22, 2024, Finalists announcement and on display during Outdoor Retailer Summer in June 2024, thus requiring the product to be released during the year.
Are products from any season eligible?
Yes. As this is an annual event, the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards are open to products from across all seasons and all of outdoor and snowsports. Participation in any category is without regard for season of sale.
Does my company need to exhibit to enter?
No. The awards recognize the best new products and services in outdoor and snowsports each year, and entrants do not need to be exhibiting to submit. If selected as a Finalist, the product does generate interest from buyers, designers, and media, and having a booth during the show offers an opportunity to immediately connect in-person. For more information on exhibit opportunities, contact an Account Executive.
How much does it cost to enter?
A competition fee of $250 per entry (product or service) will apply to each entry. Companies may submit more than one entry in any category. A separate entry form and entry fee must be completed for each entry. No refunds of entry fees will be issued.
Can I get a receipt with my entry?
A receipt will be sent automatically to the email provided with your completed entry. Should you need a copy or not receive a receipt, please contact Lisa Ramsperger at lisa.ramsperger@outdoorretailer.com.
What do I receive if I win?
No monetary prizes will be awarded. Winners will be announced during Outdoor Retailer Summer 2024 at an awards reception on June 18, 2024. The Winners will receive a trophy, be featured on outdoorretailer.com, and shared in other Outdoor Retailer content and communications. All Finalists will be on display in the Innovation Gallery throughout Outdoor Retailer Summer, June 17-19, 2024. All products will be considered by the Outdoor Retailer marketing and promotions team for future placement. Finalists and Winners will receive digital assets to use in future product marketing.
Will every category have a winner?
No. Not every category will be awarded a winner. 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.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept PayPal. All payments must be made online at the time of submission.
Can I enter more than one product?
Entrants may submit an Entry Form for multiple products or services – no limit – although each product or service may only be submitted in one category. One completed Entry Form and fee must be submitted per product or service.
Can I enter the same product in more than one category?
The same product may not be entered into more than one category. One completed Entry Form and fee must be submitted per product or service. Judges reserve the right to determine if a product should be recategorized into a different category.
How will I be notified that my application was successfully submitted?
Once the application is complete, an email confirmation will be automatically generated and sent to the email address provided by the applicant.
What are the technical specifications for submitting photo and videos? How many can I submit?
At least two (2) color images of each product or service must be submitted with each entry. Up to five (5) photos are permitted. Each photo should be professional quality and must be 300 DPI in resolution (under 5 MB). Upload .JPG, .PNG, or .GIF files only. Not all .PDF files are supported by the system; a URL link to a .PDF file can be added into product description. Multiple angles and technical information/specification sheets are encouraged.
Supplementary video can be submitted with each entry and is highly encouraged. Video can be used to explain details and functions of the product or service. Videos may not exceed 3 minutes in length; any videos exceeding 3 minutes will not be viewed by judges or jury, nor considered as part of the entry. Upload video compressed as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.264 only, such as a .mp4 or .mov file. DivX, ProRes, or WMV files can not be accepted. TIP: Video can be simple and even shot on a phone – no need to spend extensive time and resources creating a commercial-quality submission video.
Recommended output formats for common video editors:
- Corel Video Studio: select MPEG-4 HD or iPhone H.264 640x480
- Final Cut Pro: select H.264
- Final Cut Pro Express: export using QuickTime conversion. Export as QuickTime movie.
- iMovie: Share > Export movie: pick large size (and HD if applicable).
- Sony Vegas Pro: select Main Concept AVC/AAC
- Adobe Premiere Pro: select H.264
Photos and videos can also be provided as hyperlinks within the product description.
How will the photos and video I submit be used?
Any assets submitted may be used in the Awards reception, by Awards sponsors and partners, by media outlets, as well as the Outdoor Retailer website and any additional advertising and promotion linked to the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards, in perpetuity.
By entering, the Entrant further grants Outdoor Retailer, Awards sponsors, and Awards media partners the right, free of charge, to use all submitted materials and information for marketing, promotional, editorial and judging purposes worldwide, in and through any and all media formats now known or hereafter devised, including, but not limited to, print, video and the internet.
What information should I provide in my write-up?
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. TIP: Focus on original descriptions and avoid cutting and pasting marketing/sales pitches for the products.
What criteria will the judges use to evaluate my product or service?
Judges evaluate products and services based on four criteria, with a point system assigned to each category: Spark, desire, function, impact. Both rounds of juding will be conducted online based on your Entry submission. Determining factors for each evaluation criteria include:
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; mitigates climate impacts.
- Business: Business or economic value of the product or service, its marketability, cost and benefits.
When will I find out if I’ve qualified for the final round?
Finalists will be notified by May 22, 2024. All Finalists will be required to provide professional-quality, high-resolution electronic photographs. Video is optional, but recommended.
What happens if I qualify for the final round?
Your brand will be recognized at an awards reception on June 18, 2024, the second day of Outdoor Retailer Summer in Salt Lake City, Utah. Attendance is not required. All Finalist products and services will also be on display in the Innovation Gallery that will be a centrally located during the trade show at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Your entry will be featured on outdoorretailer.com and in "The Daily Guide” show magazine. If your product or service is selected as a Finalist, you may be asked to provide photographs (in addition to those submitted with entry) to Outdoor Retailer without fee for use in marketing and promotional purposes.
The Innovation Gallery will be featured throughout all three days of Outdoor Retailer Summer, June 17-19, 2024, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Outdoor Retailer will coordinate display set-up with each Finalist.
When and how will my product or service be on display?
All Finalist products and services will be on display in the Innovation Gallery on the show floor throughout Days 1-3 of the 2024 Outdoor Retailer Summer trade show (June 17-19, 2024) inside the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are no additional costs associated with display in the Innovation Gallery.
Only minimal necessary display materials, as approved in advance by Outdoor Retailer, may be utilized for show floor display. Finalists will be provided with images and dimensions of display kiosk for planning. Outdoor Retailer will provide display signage for all Finalists.
Products may be handled and photographed by show attendees, depending on features, while on display on show floor. Outdoor Retailer is not responsible for products that may be lost, damaged, misplaced or stolen while on display at the show.
All Finalist products and services, plus any provided display materials, will be available to be picked at the close of the show on June 19, 2024. All items must be picked up by 5 p.m. MT on that day. If no such arrangement can be made, please contact Lisa Ramsperger at lisa.ramsperger@outdoorretailer.com and provide return FedEx or UPS label.
How many display products are needed?
Only one (1) product is necessary and will be used for both the Final Round of judging and for display in the Innovation Gallery.
How can retail and service entries display in the Innovation Gallery?
Photos and/or video (can be run on a tablet or similar) are recommended for service entries – Retail and Support Services categories. No power is available in the Innovation Gallery, and use of any video display would require Finalist to provide screen and battery or power source.
What sponsorship opportunities are available for the awards?
Various levels of sponsorships are available for the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards program, show, and Innovation Gallery – learn more.
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