UPDATE: As the deadline for the inaugural i+s Product Innovation Awards (PIA) program has been extended to September 4, 2024, here are some tips for ensuring that your product message makes the most impact on the judging panel.
1. Make sure the product fits the program.
Some of you may be aware that our colleagues at BUILDINGS and Architectural Products are running concurrent PIA programs and that you may enter across any of them as appropriate. That gives your product the most potential exposure across the facilities, architectural, and design communities after the judging process takes place. But make sure your product fits one of the relevant i+s categories before you submit (categories are not required on the form). Refer to the list below, and please reach out to Carrie Meadows if you’re unsure whether your product is eligible.
2. Wait – There are two award options?!
“Aren’t these ‘Product Innovation Awards’?” you may ask. Yes, that’s correct. We do offer two options for entries, though. One is the Product selection, which would be evaluated for innovation in materiality, performance, aesthetics, and other product features. The other is Project/Product Application, which is based on a product being incorporated successfully into a project. We ask how the product helped deliver a solution or overcame a challenge specific to that project and the client or user needs. The two submission options require some different entry materials and responses.
3. Include facts about features, functionality, and specs.
There’s a temptation to rely solely on beautiful marketing copy. But judges want to know how it performs compared to other existing products; how durable it is; what sustainability measures have been considered; and so forth. If something is backed by third-party certifications, do tell — we have a section just for that on the form. If the product helped achieve LEED points in a project, served a unique purpose, or contains recycled content, explain those items. These details give a 360-degree perspective, since our judges won’t have physical products to evaluate in person.
The 2024 program will close on September 4. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any portal/technical or PIA submission questions. Good luck!
