November 10/17, 2014; Volume 28/Number 11
The Best of Surfaces competition in just three years has become the benchmark for product and program excellence and booth design at the industry’s premier trade show. With The International Surfaces Event just two months away, FCNews is once again seeking judges for the competition.
Two panels of judges are needed. One group will assess the submissions in one or more of four categories: innovation, style & design, sustainability and technology. The other group will judge the category finalists on site. Those judges will also be asked to evaluate the two best booth categories.
These Best of Surfaces awards are a way to recognize suppliers and their product introductions and as such have become quite sought after. Suppliers not only value a victory but also the mileage they get out of it. Winners will often use their recognition in their marketing efforts throughout the year.
What does it take to be a judge? Those who judge the preliminary round will do so from their home or office as they will be looking at product descriptions and photos on their computers during the first or second week in January. Obviously, those selected to be on the panel that determines the ultimate winners must be attending Surfaces. Finally, the most important attribute we seek in a judge is the desire to help the most deserving floor covering companies gain their due recognition.
Here’s how this will work: After we decide the category for which you will be voting, you and your peers will determine the criteria. You will then receive information on each of the entries. The respective panels will then come up with their finalists, which will be viewed on day one at Surfaces. Judges will have the opportunity to visit booths and ask questions. By late Wednesday afternoon, they will have informed FCNews of their choices.
Four things to know about the competition:
- The name says it all: Best of Surfaces.
- Unlike other Surfaces-staged recognition programs, there is no cost to enter.
- The winners will be recognized AT THE SHOW as opposed to many months after. This provides even more value to the exhibitors who can showcase their recognized products on the spot.
- Rather than segment the awards by product category, we came up with true measures of excellence.
As mentioned, much of the Best of Surfaces success hinges on your willingness to participate. Those interested in judging Best of Surfaces can email steve@fcnews.net.