Housewares Design Awards Set For Winter Las Vegas Market

The Housewares Design Awards, presented by HOMEWORLD BUSINESS® to honor product design excellence and innovation, returns with a new host partner and awards gala venue.

The 12th Housewares Design Awards ceremony is set for January 24, 2017, during the Winter 2017 Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center. This marks the first western U.S. location for the awards gala after several years in New York City.

The 2017 Housewares Design Awards will recognize excellence in 12 core housewares categories, plus a new 13th award recognizing an individual or agency for exceptional product design.

“HomeWorld Business created the Housewares Design Awards in 2003 as the first independently judged design competition focused on the U.S. housewares business, and it has established a high standard for recognizing and promoting housewares design excellence and innovation,” said Peter Giannetti, editor-in chief of HomeWorld Business. 

The Housewares Design Awards program since its inaugural ceremony in 2004 has recognized 702 product finalists and bestowed “Best of Category” distinctions on 142 products. 

Giannetti said the Housewares Design Awards program was redeveloped after a brief hiatus to recognize the fast-evolving product development and design dynamics that find traditional design practices adapting to new methodologies, technologies and inspirations— including crowd-sourced innovation; the “Maker Movement” of grass-roots invention; the revival of artisanship; and smart home applications.

In addition to hosting the awards gala, Las Vegas Market, through its Gift & Home Décor division, will provide judging, operational and promotional support for the Housewares Design Awards competition.

“HomeWorld Business is excited to launch the next phase of the Housewares Design Awards with the support of Las Vegas Market, which continues to expand as a resource for housewares products that combine superior styling and performance,” Giannetti said. “Las Vegas Market is an important western U.S. hub for the home furnishings and gift trade, and it provides a vibrant setting for showcasing the most inventive new designs in housewares.”

“Las Vegas Market is pleased to partner with HomeWorld Business to present the Housewares Design Awards while we continue our rapid expansion of gift-oriented housewares resources showcased at Las Vegas Market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of gift and home décor, International Market Centers, which operates Las Vegas Market. “As the leading furniture, home décor and gift destination in the western United States, Las Vegas Market continually seeks innovative ways to spotlight exceptional products in the industries we serve.” 

Winners will be announced and finalists will be recognized at the awards gala on January 24, 2017. Las Vegas Market will install a photographic retrospective of past award-winning products on C11 during the Summer 2016 Las Vegas Market (July 31-August 4); and a special display spotlighting the 2017 finalists and award-winning products will be featured on C11 during the Winter 2017 Las Vegas Market (January 22-26).

Products available to consumers from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016, are eligible for the 2017 Housewares Design Awards.  The 12 competition categories are:

• Cookware & Bakeware

• Countertop Cooking & Beverage Appliances

• Countertop Food Prep Appliances

• Countertop Kitchenware

• Cutlery & Cutting Tools

• Floor Care & Cleaning Appliances

• Gadgets & Kitchen Tools

• Home Environment Appliances

• Home Organization, Laundry Care & Non-Electric Cleaning

• Home & Outdoor Décor

• Personal, Health & Garment Care

• Tableware, Serveware & Beverageware

A new 13th “Designer” category will be added, recognizing an individual or agency for product design excellence. HomeWorld Business and Las Vegas Market jointly will identify and select the recipient of this new Designer Award, and that honoree will be invited to speak at the awards presentation ceremony. 

“We look forward to expanding Las Vegas Market’s recognition of leading designers— through our long-standing events like Design Icon— to include housewares product designers,” said Belshaw.  “Based on our depth of furniture resources, not just at Las Vegas Market but also in High Point, we also expect our involvement in the competition will result in a significant gain in both interest and applications to the competition’s Home & Outdoor Décor category.”  

A panel of judges consisting of approximately 12 designers, educators, retailers and consumer editors will meet in Las Vegas in November 2016 to test, review and rate the products entered for the 2017 awards. Judging criteria are: appropriate aesthetics; innovative materials and technology; user benefits (i.e., performance, comfort, ease of use, safety); and marketability.

Online entry applications for the 2017 Housewares Design Awards and details on product eligibility, judging criteria and the awards gala will be available by mid-July at housewaresdesignawards.com.

The submission deadline is October 24, 2016. 

A complete listing of previous finalists, category winners and “Best of the Best” Gold, Silver and Bronze winners is also featured on the website.