Oct 29, 2007RFID Journal has announced that it is accepting submissions for the 2008 RFID Journal Awards, recognizing companies that have distinguished themselves by their successful use of RFID technology. This year, the media and events company is introducing a new category, "Best in Show," to recognize the vendor that showcases the best new product at RFID Journal LIVE! 2008, RFID Journal's sixth annual conference and exhibition, which will be held April 16-18 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
The deadline for all submissions is Jan. 31, 2008. The awards will be given in four categories:
- Best RFID Implementation: This award will be given to an end-user company utilizing RFID to improve its manufacturing, supply chain or retail operations. The winner will be the company that best demonstrates how RFID is delivering real value to shareholders.
- Best Use of RFID to Enhance a Product or Service: This award will be given to an end-user company that has employed RFID technology to enhance an existing product or service. The winner will be the firm that best demonstrates how it is using RFID to provide additional value to its customers.
- Most Innovative Use of RFID: This award will be given to the end-user company with the most novel use of RFID technology to solve a business problem, deliver a return on investment to shareholders or improve customer service.
- Best in Show: This award will be given to the RFID technology hardware, software or service provider chosen by LIVE! 2008 attendees, from among 10 finalists, as the best new product or service showcased at the event. Those finalists will offer presentations on the exhibit hall floor at RFID Journal LIVE! 2008, after which attendees will select the Best in Show. To qualify, the product or service must have been introduced after last year's conference, which concluded on May 2, 2007.
The editors of RFID Journal have selected an independent panel of judges to evaluate entries and choose this year's winners. The first five judges selected are:
- Harold Boeck, a professor of marketing at Sherbrooke University
- Bill Hardgrave, director of the University of Arkansas' RFID Research Center
- Gordon S. Holder, a U.S. Navy vice admiral (retired) and a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton
- Fred Riggins, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management
- Mark Roberti, RFID Journal's founder and editor
"We introduced the awards last year, and they were an incredible success, largely due to the credibility of the judges," Roberti says. "They are objective and provide great insights into what's happening around the world with RFID. This year, we are excited to have a new category that recognizes the great work being done by RFID vendors."
The judges will evaluate the submissions and choose the best RFID applications in each of the three categories, as well as the 10 finalists for Best in Show. An awards ceremony will then be held at RFID Journal LIVE! 2008, and the winning entries will also be featured in RFID Journal magazine.
More information about the 2008 RFID Journal Awards is available at the RFID Journal Awards Web site.
