Apparel Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include all promotional apparel, clothing, headwear, ties, scarves, uniforms, workwear, and sports clothing. Items submitted in this category should be able to carry decoration for branding purposes. Does not include face coverings or PPE. We’re looking for outstanding examples to demonstrate scope of apparel, innovation, innovation in the sector – the areas that help your products stand out from the crowd. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Award & Gifting Product of the Year

Entrants for this category can include any Award or Gift category product. In addition, this can include Executive gifts that are not covered by the other categories. Products suitable for this category are executive desk items, personal executive products (cufflinks, card cases, vanity mirrors, etc), trophies and awards, gift packs (including mail out packs, gift boxed packs, blister packs, conference packs). The description of ‘pack’ can cover packs containing more than one product or where the packaging represents a major part of the gift. Celebrating reward and recognition, show us what shines in your product range. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Bag & Folder Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include folders, business bags and cases, travel bags & holdalls, rucksacks & backpacks, laptop and tablet sleeves, drawstring bags, shopper and tote bags, carrier bags, gift wrap, cooler bags, can coolers and any item for carrying items of any description. The innovation and application in this category is as important to show alongside the practical nature of the items in your ranges in high demand. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Drinkware Product of the Year

Entrants for this category can include all drinkware, sports bottles, flasks, reusable coffee cups, travel mugs, mugs, glasses, coasters and bar accessories. All drinkware materials are permitted in this category (plastic, ceramic, glass etc.). As a top 10 most requested item, the continued adaption of branding techniques, design and application gives entrants in this category a chance to demonstrate the refreshing innovation available in market. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Exhibition Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include festive products for all faiths, party products, sweets, chocolate, biscuits, drinks, mints, fridge magnets, other magnetic products, badges, dog tags, lanyards, wristbands rosettes, medals, membership cards and holders, slap bands, logobugs, stickers, all other paper products (not considered stationery), seed products, balloons, small flags, small display materials and small signs. A broad scope to capture the high demand ranges for exhibitions and events, this category provides the opportunity to show the judges your product superstars. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Food & Drink Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include any type of edible product which can be directly branded or is presented in branded packaging as a promotional product. This can include sweets, drinks (cans, bottles), cakes, biscuits, chocolate, confectionery, re-branded trademarked or registered branded goods (e.g. branded love hearts), sachet drinks (herbal, tea, coffee, hot chocolate).  Whether its individually wrapped sweets or indulgent gifts to bring values to life, the products in this category should tingle the taste buds of the judges. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Health & Travel Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include Keyrings (whose primary function is a keyring), trolley tokens (and holders), car accessories, ice scrapers, air fresheners, pedometers, health monitors, heat/cold packs, safety products (not including clothing), PPE equipment, sanitisers, thermometers, first aid kits, other health packs and ‘personal’ kits, tissues, facemasks, personal hygiene products, lip balms, ear plugs, shoe shines, eye masks, small low cost mirrors, slippers, flip-flops, travel pillows, luggage accessories, airport products, travel adapters, travel wallets and documents holders, luggage tags, travel card holders. Covering a wide range of both practical and adaptable products, this category will provide the opportunity to show the range and application of promotional messaging and placement. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Innovative Product of the Year

Embracing the innovation across the industry is captured in this category. Products entered in this category must be able to demonstrate true innovation in their product sector. This will include products new to the market which have been launched and distributed in 2022 which represent an innovative design, significant change to an existing range, present a unique or first to market variation, an innovation in production or finishing techniques which provide a unique or first to market benefit. Products must be available on the market in the time period specified under the terms of these Awards. Products in this category can include advances in branding techniques, from the new to market, to improvements to traditional techniques. With an array of improved materials include products where materials are also part of the story. You will be asked to state clearly why your product should win this award to make the most of your latest innovation to hit the industry. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Stationery Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include any stationery item; pencil cases, pen pots, stationery packs, activity packs where most of the products are stationery based, clips and fasteners, staplers, rulers, scale rules, paper products, pads, books, notebooks, note, page tag sets, block pads, block holders, binders, document holders, calendars and diaries.  Covering all stationery products related to this sector, whether made of paper or new materials set to challenge the norm, this category will record excellence. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Sustainable Product Innovation of the Year

This category is open to those sustainable products launched to the market by a sustainable-focused company which are able to demonstrate a unique sustainable innovation. Your entry will detail the background of the product, processes, its components, and the composition of the materials, testing and evidence. Aspects to include in this entry are the ecological footprint of the product and its journey and the team behind its innovation and production. In this entry, the overall contribution that producers make to environmental, social, and economic action in the context of a sustainability strategy is important. Awareness and focus are placed more on the production of sustainable products and the history behind it. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Sustainable Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can submit a product, product set or product line which is classified as sustainable, re-usable, recyclable, recycled including organic (e.g. organic cotton). Entrants to this category must include uploaded information on the product certificates or certificates on the production process, logistics etc. Uncertified products, product sets or product lines may also be submitted. Entrants in this category must be able to demonstrate their sustainable credentials in at least one aspect of the product material, production, presentation (including packaging). Classification of sustainable can include recycled materials which can be evidenced, biodegradable or oxo biodegradable with relevant certification and testing. Entrants should reference any membership or accreditation held relevant to this category. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Technology Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include chargers, speakers, headphones, ear buds, phone stands (whose primary purpose is to hold a phone), USB hubs, charging and data cables, clocks, watches, webcam covers, mobile accessories, lens cloths, USB flash drives, computer memory & mouse mats. Taking tech to the next level, entrants to this category can bring their products into the limelight and their role in day to day living. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

UK Made Product of the Year

Entrants to this category must be able to demonstrate the product entered was either wholly manufactured in the UK, undergone substantial finishing or transformation in the UK to be recognised as British made. This means at least 50% of substantial finishing or transformation has taken place here. Entrants to this category can submit any qualifying product under the classification and should include details on production journey, the business in the UK undertaking the work and the team behind the work.

Work & Play Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include leisure, sporting goods and activity accessories: picnic accessories, whistles, outside activity accessories, inside activity accessories, puzzles, games, soft toys and plush products, balls, stress products, golf products and accessories, umbrellas, parasols, bunting, large signs, banners ad flags, tools, torches and tape measures. With a chance to enter products that engage, provide hours of entertainment through to the practical and safe, products in this category highlight the diversity of products in the merchandise mix. Please include the way in which the product is packaged

Writing Instrument Product of the Year

Entrants to this category can include all pens (regardless of cost), pen sets (with or without packaging), stationery sets, including styluses which primary use is a pen or stationery product, ballpens, gel pens, roller pens, pencils, fountain pens, highlighters. The art of writing is celebrated in this category, looking at design innovation, durability and useability. If your product can write to the moon and back again or its ergonomic design revolutionises the writing experience, this category is set to recognise development and achievements in this product area. Please include the way in which the product is packaged.

Grand Prix

All winners from each category are automatically entered into the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix award will be awarded after all category winners have been selected: during Round 2 each Judging Panel member will select their ‘top three’ products in order of preference and allocate 3, 2, and 1 mark accordingly. The Grand Prix winner will be the product that collects most points from the final Judging Panel. In the event of a draw, the remaining products will be subject to a second vote by the Judging Panel. The Grand Prix winner will be announced at the BPMA Awards in 2023.