IWF Updates Challengers Award Entry Program
IWF 2014 Challengers Award Call for Entries

IWF Updates Challengers Award Entry Program  The International Woodworking Fair (IWF), the bi-annual woodworking industry tradeshow in Atlanta, updated the entry process for the 2014 IWF Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award. Initial Entries require just a three-page questionnaire, and a flash drive with related photos, videos clips, test results, etc., that explain the entry.

The deadline for submitting these initial entries is February 4, 2014. Late entries will not be accepted, says IWF.

The Challengers Award competition honors new and innovative technologies in products, services, or manufacturing techniques that will advance the woodworking industry. Suppliers of with a new product that may make an impact on the industry or improve a service that will help businesses move forward in the future are encouraged to enter. 

From the Initial Entries the Challengers judges will select a group of Semi-finalists to compete for 20 Finalists positions. Semi-finalists will be required to submit additional materials (samples, supporting materials, etc.) so that the judges can do more in-depth and comprehensive evaluations of these entries.

The deadline for semi-finalists entry material is April 11th, 2014. Again, late entries will not be accepted.

Then, on August 19, the day before IWF 2014 opens, the 20 finalists will make live presentations and demonstrations for final judging. Seven winning entries will be announced on opening day of IWF 2014 on the show floor. The presentations of the awards will be held in the winning exhibitor's booths.

The panel of 10 judges is made up of industry professionals representing a broad cross-section of the industry. The 2014 Challengers Award culminates with a presentation the Challengers Award bronze sculpture.

The Challengers Award competition brings added promotion, publicity and visibility to participating companies, as entrants, finalists and winners become the focus of the industries' attention. Woodworking Network will publish a Challengers Award entries magazine in July 2014 (the 2012 edition is shown here), and the IWF Challengers competition is highlighted in IWF pre-show promotional material and promoted to buyers at IWF as "must-see" exhibitors.

An entry packet for the IWF 2014 Challengers Award competition is available online at the IWF Atlanta website, and questions regarding the 2014 Challengers Award competition can be addressed by contacting JP Roberts at [email protected]  or (404) 693-8333.

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