Recognizing Innovation

Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award®

The IWF Challengers Award is known worldwide for recognizing outstanding companies who have developed innovative technology in products, services, or manufacturing techniques that will advance the industry. Enter the competition below.

2026 Challengers Award

Enter the 2026 Competition

The IWF 2026 Challengers Award entry form is now available.

Access the form in your IWF Exhibitor Resource Center. The process is completely digital. Enter today in three easy steps. Good luck! The deadline to enter is April 3.*

Go to your IWF Exhibitor Resource Center and scroll down to the Challengers Award information block.
Click on the entry form link, fill out the form, and add any files with supporting materials.
Click SUBMIT, and you are done!

*Only contracted exhibitors of IWF 2026 are permitted to submit entries for the Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award.

2026 Challengers Award

The IWF 2026 Challengers Award competition featured 84 submissions from 65 exhibiting companies.

From a field of 84 entries submitted by 65 IWF 2026 exhibiting companies, judges have named 20 IWF Challengers Award finalists. The 20 finalists will perform live demonstrations for judges’ review on Monday, August 24—one day before IWF 2026 opening day. Judges will make final decisions to select winners based on demonstration outcomes. Seven winners will be announced at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 25, at the Level 2 building B overlook near the Challengers Award Gallery.

Enter Free

Take the Spotlight

Awarding
Innovation

Companies that have developed new and innovative technologies in products, services, or manufacturing techniques should all take part in this internationally recognized competition. Entering is free to all exhibitors contracted for that year’s IWF and will put you in the spotlight as one of the forward-thinking companies making advancements to move the industry forward.

For more information regarding the IWF Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award competition, please contact JP Roberts at jp@iwfatlanta.com or by phone at 404.693.8333.

Recipients' Praise

See What Recipients of the 2024 Challengers Distinguished
Achievement Award® Had to Say.

The IWF Challengers Award was a remarkable experience and milestone for the Unilin Panels team. As a European player, being recognized on a global platform brought immense pride and excitement to our company. Winning with Master Oak, our engineered veneer that sets a new standard for authenticity in decorative panels, highlighted the strength of European innovation on the global stage.

Olivia Reynolds

Campaign Manager & NAM trade marketer – Unilin Panels

Northtech was honored to receive the Challengers Award for the second time in a row, it is a great addition to the lobby. Northtech guests recognize the distinctly unique bronze trophy immediately when they arrive, which elevates their perspective of Northtech as an active contributor to the woodworking industry; and that just makes people want to do business with you. We are already in the process of working to see if we can have the next dream ready by 2026!

Ethan Mitchell

President – Northtech Machine LLC

Show Dates &
Location

August 25-28, 2026

Tuesday 8:30am* - 5:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am* - 5:00pm
Thursday 8:30am* - 5:00pm
Friday 8:30am* - 2:00pm

* Building A opens 7:30 am each day

Georgia World Congress Center,
285 Andrew Young International BIvd, Atlanta, GA 30313

Info about Attending

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Info about Exhibiting

If you are in the woodworking industry, your business belongs at IWF. Grow your business at the premier global woodworking trade show.

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