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2021 NFDA Innovation Award

It was with extreme regret that NFDA made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Innovation Award contest.  As you know, out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of attendees, NFDA canceled the in-person convention in New Orleans and focused on creating the premier virtual convention for both attendees and exhibitors. Unfortunately, given this change, it seemed best to also cancel the Innovation Award.

We are looking forward to having our best convention yet in Nashville where we are confident we will have great attendance. We will accept 2020 entries in 2021; therefore, you will qualify for the 2021 Innovation Award if you launched a new product or service as of January 2019.  If you would like more information or have any questions, please reach out to Lorri Wagner at lwagner@nfda.org.

We appreciate your understanding and especially your interest in this prestigious award!

About the Innovation Awards

Do you have a new product or service that excels in originality and uniqueness, quality and design, practicality and sustainability?

All entries will be featured on NFDA’s website, with additional coverage for the top three finalists. The winner will also receive:

  • Press coverage in the NFDA Bulletin, Memorial Business Journal and The Director magazine
  • Coverage on NFDA social media channels
  • Coverage in NFDA Convention app
  • Special spotlight and video submission shown at Opening General Session
  • Announcement on Expo floor opening day
  • Front entrance to the expo floor will showcase looped video of three finalists
  • Floor sticker outside of booth
  • Special award logo for use on winner's website and ads
  • Press release template 

Review the submission guidelines below before you get started. 

Online submissions were open between June 1 - June 30, 2021.

See the 2019 Finalists

Submission Guidelines

  1. Entries that do not meet all eligibility requirements or do not include supporting documentation and materials will be automatically disqualified.
  2. All entries must be submitted online using the official NFDA Innovation Award submission form (coming soon) no later than the posted deadline. 
  3. All entries must include a link to a video no longer than 45 seconds. Video files cannot be uploaded to the form; a link to the video on a video platform such as YouTube or Vimeo is required. Do not email entries or files to NFDA staff.
  4. Entrants are restricted to one entry per organization for a product or service that was commercially introduced since January 1, 2019. All entries must include the date the product/service was introduced. 
  5. All entry materials must be in English.
  6. Entries should not contain confidential information, as confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
  7. Entrants are encouraged to submit a description of 200 words or less that illustrates how the product/service fulfills the judging criteria. 
  8. Once an entry is submitted, the form cannot be revised or resubmitted.
  9. The decision of the judges is final.
  10. The judges reserve the right to defer the award if there is not a suitable entry.
  11. Applicants should be aware that the award may lead to further media interest.
  12. Winners may be asked to submit a short article about their product or service for inclusion on nfda.org, in NFDA publications and/or social media platforms.
  13. Entry to the NFDA Innovation Awards is free. Open only to exhibitors of the 2021 NFDA Convention & Expo in Nashville, TN.

Judging Criteria

Qualifying entries will be evaluated independently by a panel of esteemed judges. Each entry will be rated on a 1-10 scale (1=satisfactory, 10=superior), based on:

  • Originality - Is the product or service unique in concept, design or performance? Is it cutting edge and first of its kind? How different is it from other products or services already in the market? Does it significantly improve a business process or provide families with a new option.
  • Quality & Design - Does the product or service demonstrate overall superiority and represent exceptional innovation in design, features, materials and process?

The Fine Print: The NFDA Innovation Award finalists are determined by judges based on the information submitted by the entrants. The judges will conduct no testing of the product or service. The selection of a particular product or service for the Innovation Award does not constitute an endorsement by NFDA or the judges. Selected products and services merely reflect the judging panel’s determination that, if the product or service in fact performs or functions as the submitted supporting documentation and materials claim, such product or service is desired over other submissions. NFDA reserves the right to defer the award if there is not a suitable entrant.

Material reprinted on nfda.org or other publications reflects the views of the authors only and does not necessarily reflect the views of NFDA. The appearance, reference or advertisement of any product or service shall not be deemed an endorsement of such products or services by NFDA.