As the deadline for the inaugural BUILDINGS Product Innovation Awards (PIA) program rapidly approaches, here are some tips for ensuring that your product message makes the most impact on the judging panel.
1. Make sure the product fits the program.
Some of you may be aware that our colleagues at i+s and Architectural Products are running concurrent PIA programs and that you may enter across any of them as appropriate. That gives your product the most potential exposure across the facilities, architectural, and design communities after the judging process takes place. You don’t have to select a category when you enter, but your product should fit at least one product type covered by BUILDINGS. See the list of product categories and please reach out to Janelle Penny if you’re unsure whether your product is eligible.
2. Wait – There are two award options?!
“Aren’t these ‘Product Innovation Awards’?” you may ask. Yes, that’s correct. We do offer two options for entries, though. One is the Product selection, which would be evaluated for innovation in performance, aesthetics, and other product features. The other is Project/Product Application, which is based on a product being incorporated successfully into a project. We ask how the product helped deliver a solution or overcame a challenge specific to that project and the client or user needs. The two submission options require some different entry materials and responses.
3. Include facts about features, functionality, and specs.
There’s a temptation to rely solely on beautiful marketing copy. But judges want to know how it performs compared to other existing products; how durable it is; what sustainability measures have been considered; and so forth. If something is backed by third-party certifications, do tell—we have a section just for that on the form. If the product helped achieve LEED points in a project, served a unique purpose, or contains recycled content, explain those items. These details give a 360-degree perspective, since our judges won’t have physical products to evaluate in person.
The deadline for the 2024 program has been extended until Sept. 4. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any portal/technical or PIA submission questions. Good luck!
