Who can enter the Product Awards?
The BPMA Product Awards are open to BPMA Members and ‘qualifying suppliers’ in the industry. ‘Qualifying suppliers’ means companies who are registered in the UK or another country, have been trading for 12 months or more in the UK. For more details see the Terms & Conditions.
When do the Awards open?
You can submit your Product Award entries from 08:00 on 2nd September 2024.
When do the Awards close?
The Product Award entries will close at 17:00 on 9th October 2024. If less than 50 entries are received by this date, the BPMA reserves the right to extend the closing date. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information..
What is new this year?
We have removed the Category A and B split. This year, all entries will be automatically entered into 3 additional categories:
- Sustainable Product of the Year
- Innovative Product of the Year
- UK Made Product of the Year
We have also merged the a couple of the categories into Award & Exhibition Product of the Year and Health, Travel & Leisure Product of the Year
Is there a limit on the number of entries?
No, there is no limit to the number of entries you can submit.
Can we enter the same product in multiple categories?
Yes, you can as long as the product is relevant to the category description. Any entry submitted which does not fit the category criteria may be rejected with no refund available.
Is there any help and guidance available?
Yes – you can access the ‘How to Enter’ guide and contact us with any questions.
Can we only submit entries for brand new products?
Products which are already on the market can be entered into any category as long as you can evidence the dates on the market. The only category which requires a brand new product is the Innovation of the Year, this category requires new products on the market available from January 2024 to October 2024. Please note, if you have won a Product Award before, the same product cannot be re-entered.
What kind of evidence do we need to submit with our entries?
We are requesting evidence of your product ‘on the market’ showing the dates it entered the market place, plus any relevant certifications and appropriate images, literature or documents to support your entry.
Can we edit our entry after submission?
If you want to edit your entry(s) after you have already submitted, you can ask for access to these before the entry deadline. It is important to note you must re-submit your entries before the entry deadline of 17:00 on 9th October 2024 for your entry to be recognised. The BPMA cannot submit entries on your behalf.
We are a BPMA member and need our discount code to claim our free entry. Where can we find this?
The code will be emailed to your key contacts when the Awards open. If this has not been received, please email awards@bpma.co.uk
We are a BPMA member and want to apply our Early Bird rate – how long do we have to use this?
The Early Bird rate ends at 17:00 on 13th September. If you are not sure what to do, email us awards@bpma.co.uk
When will we find out if our entries have been shortlisted?
Our shortlist will be announced on 22nd October 2024 via email and social media. All shortlisted entrants will receive a communication in advance of the public announcement.
Do we need to supply a sample of our entered product?
If shortlisted, you will be required to send a branded sample of your product featured in the entry shortlisted to the BPMA office before 28th October 2024. You must be able to supply a branded sample as a condition of your entry so if you do not have a sample and get shortlisted, you may be disqualified.
How are the entries judged?
An extensive independent panel made up of experienced industry professionals will judge the Product Awards in two rounds, across two sets of judges, concluding in a face to face final panel. Details of judges will be released in September 2024. Full details on the judging criteria can be seen in our Terms & Conditions.
Can we get feedback on our entry?
If you require specific feedback on your entry, this may be provided on request after the Awards are concluded. We reserve the right not to provide feedback. Please note we cannot comment on any submissions during the judging process and some comments may not be shared.
When and where are the winners announced?
Each category will awarded a Platinum, Gold and Silver winner. The winners will be announced on 6th December 2024 at our Product Awards 2024-25 LIVE event taking place in London and featured in Product Media Magazine, with exception of the Grand Prix winner who will be awarded at the BPMA Annual Awards Dinner, 22nd January 2025.
How much does it cost to enter the awards?
BPMA members receive preferential rates which are noted below and are applied to all current BPMA members entering. All other entrants are charged a fixed rate. If you’re interested in becoming a BPMA member to take advantage of preferential rates and other benefits, get in touch with our membership team today.
BPMA Members
1st entry: Free of charge (Members receive a one use discount code via email to apply when submitting their entry).
Subsequent entries are charged as followed:
Early Bird member only rate: £30+VAT if submitted by 17:00 on 13th September 2024.
£60+VAT if submitted after 17:00 on 13th September 2024.
Non-Members
All entries: £160+VAT
Please note that all entries are payable by 30th October 2024.
Categories
1. Apparel Product of the Year
2. Award & Exhibition Product of the Year
3. Bag & Folder Product of the Year
4. Drinkware Product of the Year
5. Food & Drink Product of the Year
6. Health, Travel & Leisure Product of the Year
7. Stationery Product of the Year
8. Technology Product of the Year
9. Writing Instrument Product of the Year
The Product Awards Grand Prix
An overall winner will be awarded from all winning entries across the 9 categories, awarded on an accumulator points basis. The Grand Prix Award will be revealed at the BPMA Awards in January 2025.
Click here to read the full category criteria.
What promotion and PR do we get if we win?
We provide a raft of PR and publicity around each winner to ensure every Award reaches a wide audience. This includes promotion in Product Media Magazine, at the Product Awards Live Event in December, through press releases and at Merchandise World in January. This also includes your digital winner logos which can be used on social media, promotional materials and more.
All winning products receive an ‘Award Winners logo’ which suppliers can use for their own marketing and promotional purposes before, during and after Merchandise World.
Merchandise World Pre-Show
All Platinum, Gold and Silver product winners will feature in the January/February 2025 digital issue of Product Media Magazine alongside the Product Media Newsletter and will be featured on Sourcing City News.
Winners will be notified in December 2024 at the Product Awards Live event, so that they can feature winning products and award logo in their marketing and communications.
At Merchandise World New Year Show January 2025
Winners are notified prior to Merchandise World at the December Product Awards LIVE event, so that they can feature winning products and award logo on their stands.
Post Merchandise World
All Platinum Award presentation photos will feature in the post-show edition of Product Media Magazine and newsletter and on Sourcing City News.
Winners can ask catalogue groups who feature their products to add their winner logo next to their product entries.
We’ve still got questions! Who should we contact if our question has not been answered in the FAQs?
Please email awards@bpma.co.uk with any further questions.