Soundings Trade Only’s second-annual Top 10 Most Innovative Marine Companies awards will open for entries on July 1. The contest attracted dozens of marine businesses of all sizes last year.
“Our definition of innovation isn’t about new products,” says Michael Verdon, editor in chief of Soundings Trade Only, in a statement. “It’s more about the processes and concepts a business uses to define—or redefine—themselves in a changing industry. We’re looking for fresh business models, modernized production lines, disruptive new ways of going to market, and a dozen other ways a company might define itself as innovative.”
The awards panel consists of Soundings Trade Only editors, staff members, and outside industry experts. They will review company initiatives that include innovative materials, new manufacturing processes, fresh marketing approaches, workforce solutions, supply chain, export programs and others.
“Innovation extends far beyond product development,” adds Michele Goldsmith, publisher of Soundings Trade Only. “It includes the decisions, improvements and redirections that companies make to transform their businesses and push the industry forward. The goal is to recognize achievements and innovative business practices all over the world.”
The awards will focus the period from July 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019. Applications may be submitted online at www.tradeonlytoday.com/enter from July 1 through August 31, 2019.
The ten winners will be recognized at the Soundings Trade Only 40 Anniversary Gala on September 30, 2019 at the Tampa Museum of Art. The first-place winner will be honored at the IBEX Industry Breakfast on October 1. The order of winners will be revealed in an article profiling the Top 10 Most Innovative Marine Companies as well as the top overall winner in the Soundings Trade Only November issue and on the TradeOnlyToday.com website.
“We know there are many companies inspiring positive change. If you have done something unusual and outstanding in the last year, we want to recognize your efforts,” says Goldsmith.
