AV Awards
Product Innovation
The five product innovation categories will look at new product introductions across the year, including hardware and software, seeking out real innovation in each sector. The judges will focus on evidence of technological innovation, the benefits to users and commercial success. All entries in this group must provide an explanation of the product, the benefit the product brings to the market, the target audience, when the product shipped, and how it has performed in the market.
A Projection or display product
New projectors, flat screens, video wall or LED screens. Display support products such as projection screens, visualisers and mounts may also be entered.
B Digital signage product
The digital signage product may be for any purpose or in any market sector (eg retail promotion, advertising, rail-side, road-side and track-side, live events, public display or internal communications).
C Systems product
New control systems and products that form part of an integrated a-v installation – including (but not exclusively) switchers and scalers, signal processors, extenders or software etc.
D Audio product
New amplifiers, speakers, digital signal procesors, desks, microphones or other audio products or software used in either permanent installations or at live events.
E Imaging or editing product
New still and/or motion picture cameras and image recording devices, recording, editing and effects software, including computer equipment and software for AV purposes.
Manufacturer
Using the same five product groupings, the AV Awards will recognise the manufacturers who have consistently upgraded their product ranges, launched new innovative products, and brought additional benefits to AV users, whether for hardware or software products. Unlike the product innovation categories however, each manufacturer must provide evidence of upgrades, new introductions, innovative thinking and future-proofing. The judges will consider marketing, technological or applicational innovation as well as service levels, channel innovations and new product development.
Entries for the manufacturer categories can be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries, or from their appointed PR agency or consultancy.
F Projection and display manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in a-v
communications whose headquarters and product design facilities
are based in the EMEA.
G Digital signage manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in a-v
communications whose headquarters and product design facilities
are based in the EMEA.
H Systems manufacturer
This category is for systems design, installation and integration companies working in the EMEA region Entries must cover a range of case studies and include feedback from clients. The award will be given to the systems company which has demonstrated high service levels as well as technical expertise over a range of projects. The award will focus on the innovative nature of the systems company’s installation work. Business development, service levels, turnover and profit performance will be taken into account.
I Audio manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in audio products and projects.
J Imaging or editing manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in
recording, creating and post-production of a-v communications.
Project
The Project categories aim to exemplify the best professional a-v communications projects that maximise benefits to business or consumer customers:
• Business installation
• Consumer installation
• Digital media
• Digital signage
• AV/IT integration
• Green or environmental
K Business installation of the year
The entry must consist of a case study of a business-to-business a-v installation or system such as boardroom or meeting room installations; video networking installations; retail installations; or educational systems. The entry must cover organisational use of the facility, including sales to customers, together with details of the technical systems put in place, the project objectives and the management of the project. It must include a user assessment of
the value and effectiveness of the system.
L Consumer installation of the year
An entry must consist of a case study of an installation or system which is designed for the use of paying visitors from the general public — such as museums and galleries, theme parks and attractions, and heritage centres. The case study must include an overview of the role of a-v in the project, details of the technical systems put in place, the project objectives and the management
of the project. It must also include a user assessment of the value and effectiveness of the system.
M Videoconferencing project of the year
An entry must consist of a case study of a single documented videoconferencing installation or system. Each entry must include details of the technical systems put in place, the project objectives and the management of the project, and it must include a user assessment of the value and effectiveness of the project.
N Digital media project of the year
An entry must consist of a case study of an interactive media or video project based on CD-ROM, DVD, streamed video and audio or a similar technology. The case study must include details of the project objectives and the management of the project, why and how the techniques were used, and the creative and
implementation issues involved. It should also detail how the media were distributed and it must include a user assessment of the value and effectiveness of the project.
O Digital signage project of the year
The entered project may be for any purpose or in any market sector (e.g. retail promotion or advertising, public display or internal communications). An entry must consist of a case study that gives details of the project objectives and the management of the project, why and how the techniques were used, and the
creative and implementation issues involved. It should also give an accurate summary of the business plan on which the project was based, and it must include a user assessment of the value and effectiveness of the project.
P AV/IT integration project of the year
The category is open to any company within the a-v sector that has delivered a project for client’s use, which integrates a-v and ITelements. Joint entries from a-v and IT companies who haveworked together on a project will be admitted. An entry mustconsist of a case study of a single documented installation or
system that uses a mix of a-v and IT technology to meet the client’s requirements. Each entry must include details of the technical systems put in place, the project objectives and the management of the project. It must also include a user assessment of the value and effectiveness of the project and
must explain how the a-v and IT systems were both specified and commissioned.
Q Green or environmental project of the year
This category is open to any product, process or initiative that reduces the carbon footprint of the AV industry or which has real environmental benefits (e.g disposal of old equipment, recycling etc). Full details on the product, process or initiative must be provided including the 'green' or 'environmental' objectives set.
Company
The four company categories highlight a-v sector performance. A
company’s entry should cover their offerings and performance in
the market:
• Manufacturer
• Distributor
• Reseller
• Systems company
A company performance summary is required for entrants into the Company categories. The information given should relate to the trading year covered in the entry. Figures given will be treated as strictly confidential. (Please see the entry form at the back of the entry kit for the performance matrix template you should complete).
A good management summary is key to the success of an entry into the Company categories. Each entry must be accompanied by a single A4 page 300-word summary for distribution to the judges, detailing:
• Company and category entered
• Scope of the company’s activities or the project
• Technologies/techniques used
• Results, including research data
• Brief statement saying why the entry should win an award
The judges will pay particular attention to evidence of a company or communication project achievement. The entry must detailobjectives and overall strategy, target audience or buyers, howprojects or plans were implemented, distinguishing technical or marketing features of the project or campaign, how the project was designed to be measured, and any formal research or independent evidence of achievements.
R Manufacturer of the year
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in a-v communications, who have operations based in the UK, are eligible. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries, or via sole distributors in the manufacturer’s name. The Award will be given to the manufacturer who has shown the most marketing, technological or applicational innovation. Service
levels, channel innovations and new product development will be taken into account.
S Distributor of the year
This category is open to trade distributors of any kind of equipment or software used in a-v communications whose operations are based in the UK.The Award will be given to the trade distributor who has shown the most marketing, technological or applicational innovation and who has demonstrated business development and both turnover and profit performance. Service levels, channel
innovations and new product development will be taken into
account.
T Reseller of the year
This category is open to dealers or resellers working with end user clients in b2b communications in the UK. They may be either specialist (local or operating in specific vertical markets) or general resellers operating nationally or in a range of markets. The Award will be given to the reseller who has shown the most marketing, technological or applicational innovation and who has demonstrated business development and both turnover and profit performance. Service levels, channel innovations and new product development will be taken into account. Size of turnover will not, on its own, be a determining criterion.
U Systems company of the year
Systems design, integration and installation companies, or systems/installation divisions of a-v groups based in the UK, should enter this category. Entries must cover a range of case studies and include feedback from clients. The Award will be given to the systems company which has demonstrated high service levels as well as technical expertise over a range of projects. The Award will focus on the innovative nature of the systems company’s installation work. Business development, service levels, turnover and profit performance will be taken into account
Grand Prix Award
The Grand Prix will be nominated and chosen by the judges from the winners of the Company, Product Innovation and Project categories. The Award will be given to a winner whose entry shows most evidence of:
• Innovation and business practices of benefit to the sector as a whole
• Market development and industry leadership
• Technical and creative innovation
• Documented business objectives and results
