37 winners at the 13th OutDoor Industry Award – Eleven Gold Awards – Prize ceremony first night of OutDoor 2018
Friedrichshafen – 247 products were submitted for this year’s OutDoor Industry Award. These new and innovative products were judged by an expert panel to decide on the 2018 OutDoor Industry Awards. After two exciting and intense days in Friedrichshafen, the judges decided on the winners of this year’s OutDoor Industry Awards. A total of 37 products were selected to receive an award. Eleven of these winning products have been further singled out for their exceptional design – the Gold Award winners.
OutDoor in Friedrichshafen is one of the leading international industry trade shows. This is also reflected in the widespread recognition that the OutDoor Industry Award enjoys in expert circles. During the 13th edition of the award, the six-member expert panel once again debated the merits of the latest trend-setting products and technologies entered, according to their degree of innovation, sustainability and functionality. During the run up to the two-day session, a group of twelve judges had initially evaluated all entries in a digital assessment round to select the 193 finalists.
Having just finished the jury meeting for 2018, long serving jury member and board member of the European Outdoor Group, Mark Held had this to say: “Innovation is a strange thing that comes in a huge variety of forms, from incremental, to thought process and occasionally, step change innovation. The jury for this year’s award really had their work to do as the sheer variety and scope of innovation was there and blindingly obvious for all to see. This of course makes the task of the jury really quite a difficult one as they had to try and choose between a lot of really, really good product. So from fiber developments on the one hand, to bold, public statements about the ethics of the supply chain on the other, it was a really impressive range of products and I’m excited to see that outdoor sector is developing so quickly. As ever, the awards process was brilliantly organised by Messe Friedrichshafen and the jury itself, was an excellent balance of skills and experience. There is lot for the visitor of this years show to discover.”
“I was delighted to be a member of the judge’s panel. Spending two days testing and evaluating products and debating their pros and cons with other industry experts was a unique experience,” says Anny Cardinahl, founder of consultancy firm Outdoor Deluxe. Her fellow judge Ana Kristiansson, design expert and founder of Swedish online learning platform Sportswear Inc., adds: “The whole process was very smooth and efficient, and I learnt a lot. I was particularly impressed by the number of manufacturers who have now moved to sustainable production.”
The other judges were Frank Wacker, equipment editor at Germany’s Outdoor magazine, David Pickford, British climber, author and journalist and Spanish ski mountaineer and trail runner Marc Pinsach.
“I was impressed by how well the judges complemented each other this year,” comments Dirk Heidrich, OutDoor project manager. “Due to the very different backgrounds of the six experts, the products triggered intense and productive discussions. Ultimately, the judges were able to reach a consensus on the winners. I feel that their final selection reflects the huge diversity of innovation in the outdoor industry, in all its different aspects.”
The OutDoor Industry Award and Gold Award winning products are to be announced in the near future: on 17 June – day one of the OutDoor show. The award exhibition will be on display in Foyer East at Messe Friedrichshafen. The prize ceremony which starts at 17.30 also is also held in the Foyer Ost when the Gold Award winners will be announced.
The 25th OutDoor jubilee edition show takes place from Sunday 17 to Wednesday 20 June 2018 and is open to trade visitors only (with the exception of the German Bouldering Championships on 16/17 June in Hall B5 and the Midsummer Festival at the lakeside promenade).
