"The competition reflects the high level of outstanding innovation in this industry," said the jury of the 2009 OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD. A total of 63 entries were honored with the award. The nine best received a GOLD award.
During the jury session in Hannover on July 2, a total of 63 entries were selected to receive an award in the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD competition, which was hosted by Messe Friedrichshafen during the OutDoor Show 2009 (July 16 to 19) for the fourth time. The international jury of experts also chose nine entries to receive a GOLD award for particularly outstanding achievements in design and innovation. All in all, there were 242 entries from 18 countries (previous year: 280 entries from 25 countries) in the competition created and organized by iF International Forum Design. Four entries in the "students’ category", in which students were invited to enter their designs and product studies free of charge, were also able to claim an award.
Exhibitors as well as non-exhibitors were called upon to enter their products in the world’s largest OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, once again this year. Stefan Reisinger, project manager at the OutDoor Show and a member of the Messe Friedrichshafen Management Board commented: "The OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD has established a solid reputation in the industry. The worldwide market leaders and many new big names were at the show and displayed their products alongside those of the competition, with a special focus on radical new developments as well as pioneering innovations. This proves to be a perfect fit into the concept of a tradeshow featuring innovations and premiers like the OutDoor Show."
The jury of experts included: Gregor Baer (INDIGO Schwabe & Baer Entwicklungs GmbH, Munich), Nils Bloch-Hoell (Norwegian Trekking Association / Norway), Mark Held (European Outdoor Group / Switzerland), Marietta Uhden (Sportkletterin, Bad T?lz), Frank Wacker (outdoor editorial team, Motor Presse Stuttgart, Stuttgart) and Olaf Wittayer (Die OUTDOOR-PROFIS, Limburg). The products entered were judged in the following categories: Apparel/Helmuts/Shoes, Backpacks/Travel luggage, Mountain-climbing equipment, Camping equipment, Sleeping bags, Accessories, Products with high ecological and sustainable value and Material innovations. Students were invited to enter their experimental designs of products yet to be realized and studies in the "Concepts" category.
OutDoor Celebrity of the Year 2009
The "OutDoor Celebrity of the Year" honors personalities who have made an outstanding contribution to the outdoor industry. They are selected by internationally leading trade journalists. The award winner will be announced and honored during the OutDoor Show on July 16, 2009 at 5:30 pm during the Awards Ceremony at the 2009 OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD.