2010 Challengers Award ®

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Challengers Award^® competition is to encourage and promote the development of innovative new technology in the field of woodworking and related industry machinery, supplies, and services for the furniture, cabinetry, architectural woodwork, store fixtures, upholstery, or specialty and general wood products industries.

The competition is held every two years with seven winning entries being awarded a distinctive statuette designed exclusively for IWF.  Winners are announced during a special award ceremony on the opening day, August 25, 2010, of the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair – U.S.A. ® at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

WHO MAY ENTER?

Any company that is a contracted exhibitor in IWF 2010, the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair U.S.A. ® , may enter a machine, supply product or service that the company believes truly represents a significant advancement in the industry.

WHAT CAN BE ENTERED?

Any innovative new or improved machine, supply item, production aid, material, service, safety device, or environmental improvement that is appropriate for or marketed to our industries.  All entries must be complete and available for purchase in the marketplace.

SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

While there are no specific designations, categories or rankings for the winners, one or more of the winning entries may be recognized because it significantly contributes to the improvement of the environment (i.e. this winning entry could conserve materials, or natural resources, improve air quality, eliminate/reduce pollution or toxic wastes, etc.)

Please Note:  Winners will be chosen from the entrants that best typify examples of “innovative new developments or improvements that can have a significant impact on the technological advancement of the furniture, cabinetry, architectural woodwork, and specialty/custom or general wood products industries.”

JUDGES

The judges are all experienced woodworking, cabinetry, or furniture executives, many with engineering degrees, and will be looking for the “seven most innovative, and most productive ideas to be entered in the competition.”