Categories & Criteria
** To see a full list of categories and criteria you can also download the entry form here**
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:
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
New projectors, flat screens, video wall or LED screens. Display support products such as projection screens, visualisers and mounts may also be entered
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)
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)
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 etc
New control systems and products that form part of an integrated a-v installation – including (but not exclusively) switchers and scalers, signal processors, extenders etc
Audio product
New amplifiers, speakers, digital signal processors, desks, microphones or other audio products used in either audio capture/production or replay in either permanent installations
or at live events
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
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
Product 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:
Projection and display manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries.
Digital signage manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in a-v communication.. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries.
Systems manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries.
Digital signage manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in a-v communication.. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries.
Systems manufacturer
This category is for systems design, installation and integration companies. 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
Audio manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in audio products and projects. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries.
Imaging or editing manufacturer
Manufacturers of any kind of equipment or software used in recording, creating and post-production of a-v communications. Entries must be direct from manufacturers or their subsidiaries.
Project
The Project categories aim to exemplify the best a-v communications projects that maximise benefits to business or consumer customers:
Business installation of the year
The entry must consist of a case study of a business-to-business av 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.
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 av in the project, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 IT elements. Joint entries from a-v and IT companies who have worked together on a project will be admitted. An entry must consist 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.
Green or environmental project of the year
This category is open to any 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 initiative must be provided, set against the ‘green’ or ‘environmental’ objectives set.
Education Project of the Year (under and over £50,000)
This category consists of two awards: one for education projects with a completed value of less than £50,000 excluding VAT; the other for larger projects where the completed value exceeds £50,000 excluding VAT. There are no limits to the nature of the project other than to stress that it must have had an overriding audio-visual aim. An entry must consist of a case study of a single documented installation or system that uses av 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, if appropriate) systems were specified and commissioned.
Live Event
In recognition of the convergence of lighting with video, the ongoing need for audio excellence, and the displacement of built sets in favour of more technological solutions, there is now the Live Event category. The judges will be looking for examples of absolute excellence in any of the four areas, with the emphasis on the technical solution provided. It is expected that some of the leading entries will employ technology that takes video feeds into lighting matrices and on to screen, but the category group is wide open for the newest technical ideas.
· Lighting
· Sound
· Projection.or display
· Staging
Company
The four company categories highlight a-v sector performance. A company’s entry should cover their offerings and performance in the market:
Every entry into the Company categories requires a completed Performance Matrix form (completed online when you upload your entry) The information given should relate to the trading year covered in the entry. Figures given will be treated as strictly confidential. The Performance Matrix form must be completed online, but please assemble all the information you need before setting about this task.
For the Company categories as for the Product, Manufacturer and Project categories you must complete an entry form online, upload a 300-word management summary and your 1500 word submission, 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 detail objectives and overall strategy, target audience or buyers, how projects 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
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.
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.
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 application 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.
In-house AV team
This category is open to in-house av teams at organizations ranging from companies to hotels and conference centres and to shopping centres or centres of learning. The award will be given to the team that has demonstrated clear and consistent results in delivering av support and solutions to their internal clients, as well as managing external suppliers to install specific projects to brief, deadline and budget. Business development, service levels and performance will be taken into account.
Rental & Staging company
Entries must cover a range of case studies and include feedback from clients. The award will be given to the rental or staging 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 company’s activities. Business development, service levels, turnover and profit performance will be taken into account
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 award 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
