BPMA Product Awards 2023-24: Terms & Conditions

 
  1. Promoter: The BPMA Product Awards are operated by the British Promotional Merchandise Association Ltd (BPMA).
  2. The BPMA Product Award entries open on 01.09.2023 at 08:00 and close on 06.10.2023 at 17:00. The closing date and time are final, and no entries can be accepted after this time. Proof of entry is not proof of receipt.
  3. The BPMA Product Awards are open to all BPMA supplier members in the year 2023-24 and any ‘Qualifying Supplier’. Qualifying Suppliers are those companies with registered status in the UK or another country, have been trading for more than 12 months, trade in the UK market and are classed as Trade Only or Multi-Channel. Not open to Distributors or Agencies.
  4. The Product Awards apply to any product available to the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) market between November 2022 and October 2023, produced, marketed, or manufactured by the supplier presenting the product with evidence of the right to market and supply. Evidence of the right to market and supply in the UK is a requirement of entry for this Award programme.
  5. Previous entries that have won a Product Award are prohibited from entry into The BPMA Product Awards 2023-24 unless the product is presented with significant changes, improvements or appearance changes.
  6. If fewer than 50 entries are received by the entry deadline, the BPMA reserves the right to extend the deadline by no more than 5 working days.
  7. Entrants are required to enter and submit a minimum of 1 x entry into a relevant ‘A’ Product Category before gaining access to enter a ‘B’ Special Category. Please see ‘How to Enter’ instructions.
  8. Categories: Suppliers can enter the following categories (please see the category criteria for each category)

    There are 13 categories split across 11 ‘A’ Categories and 2 ‘B’ Categories to enter.

    Category A

    1. Apparel Product of the Year
    2. Award & Gifting Product of the Year
    3. Bag & Folder Product of the Year
    4. Drinkware Product of the Year
    5. Exhibition Product of the Year
    6. Food & Drink Product of the Year
    7. Health & Travel Product of the Year
    8. Writing Instrument Product of the Year
    9. Stationery Product of the Year
    10. Technology Product of the Year
    11. Work & Play Product of the Year

    Category B

    1. Innovation of the Year
    2. UK Made Product of the Year

     

  9. Grand Prix

    a. An overall winner will be awarded from all winning entries across the 13 categories, awarded on an accumulator points basis. The Grand Prix Award will be revealed at the BPMA Awards in January 2024.

    How to Enter

  10. Entry is via the BPMA’s online platform only. Each entrant must register to receive an email link which can be used at https://bpmaawards.awardsplatform.com/. Entrants must complete the information required and agree to the Product Award terms and conditions before starting the first entry submission.
  11. Under the entrant profiles, entrants can draft and submit multiple entries, with relevant fees applying after the first entry submission. BPMA members receive complimentary and discounted entry fees from first entry. Please see ‘Entry charges’ for more information.
  12. Entrants must enter their first product entries into an ‘A’ Category and submit before access will be granted to enter a ‘B’ Category. A minimum of 1 x Category A entry must be completed and submitted. If this criteria is not met, entries may not be processed.
  13. There is no limit to the number of entries a company may submit, noting the charges that apply after the first entry submission, unless stated otherwise. Entrants can, where relevant, enter the same product into more than one category.
  14. All mandatory fields must be completed. Incomplete entries may be dismissed or disqualified. Please note the criteria for each category and answer all questions when prompted.
  15. Entrants must submit each entry for the entry to qualify for the competition and onward judging. The BPMA cannot submit entries on entrants’ behalf. Entries not submitted by the deadline will not be counted.
  16.  Entry charges: all entries are subject to a charge unless specified. Only submitted entries will be accepted and charged.

    BPMA member rates BPMA Members receive the first (1st) entry free of charge and all subsequent entries are charged at £60+VAT. BPMA members can claim an early bird rate of £30+VAT which will be charged to all entries submitted by 11.09.23. Please note to claim this rate, the entry must be submitted and received by 17:00 on 11.09.23. Non-members All entries are charged at £160+VAT.

  17. Entry fees are payable no later than 30.10.2023. Fees will be billed on receipt and submission of entry. Any entry that remains unpaid after this date may be disqualified. Payment can be made via debit or credit card, or invoice and entrants can choose payment method at time of entry.
  18. How to submit entries: using your logins created, complete as instructed including adding images and submit using the online system. Entrants can save entries during the process, returning to entries before the submission deadline.
    1. Please read the accompanying Entry instructions carefully before you start which can be found on bpma.co.uk and on the Awards website.
    2. Entrants must acknowledge with each entry, they are able to supply a physical branded item for judging should products be shortlisted as this is a condition of entry. Please note products will be requested by 23.10.2023 and must be received by 30.10.2023. If you are unable to supply a branded product for judging, your entry may be disqualified.
    3. Upload any required descriptions and other requested information for entry, prompted by the online process.
    4. Entrants will also be required to upload documentation to support each entry, to prove its valid date on the market, providing relevant certifications and product information where requested, noting any required formats and maximum document size. All documents, certificates and other supporting documents must be valid, property of the entrant and refer to the specific product entered. Please note all supporting evidence will be reviewed before judging commences.
    5. All products submitted for judging and selection are done so at the entering Supplier’s risk. Whilst every effort will be made to return the products, the BPMA cannot be held responsible for any loss.
  19. Entry criteria in addition to category descriptions
    1. Entries are accepted for any product which was available to the market during November 2022 and October 2023. For all categories (excluding the Category B Innovation), entered products do not have to be new to the market, just available on the market but cannot have previously won a Product Award. Evidence will be required to support each product entered.
    2. Category B Innovation: this category only applies to new products which entered the market between November 2022 and October 2023. Evidence will be required to support each product entered.
    3. Please ensure your product is entered in the correct category as all entries will be considered correct at time of entry. Please read category criteria carefully.
    4. Products can be entered into more than one category, observing Category A criteria.
    5. All sections of each entry submitted must be completed in line with the criteria set out. Missing information may mean entries will not be shortlisted. Incomplete or corrupt entries will be void and may still be charged.
    6. Any images or supporting information submitted on an entry must be owned by the entrant or have permission to submit from the originator.
    7. All entries must be the work of the entrant company, not subject to any litigation, intellectual property or any other claim by another company.
    8. By entering, the entrant gives the BPMA permission to store the information on their secure server for the duration of the Product Awards and for the purposes of judging.
    9. Images of shortlisted and award-winning products will be shown at the BPMA Awards Dinner in January 2024 and in digital marketing, press and PR. You may be required to submit additional product photography.
    10. All product entries must be submitted with trade prices which means prices available to BPMA distributor members. Entrants may be required to submit a range of pricing.
    11. If a category receives less than three (3) entries, the BPMA reserves the right to remove the category from the competition.
  20. Judging criteria: an independent panel of judges from the industry will judge the Product Awards in two rounds. Each judge is required to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of the judging participation.
    1. Round 1: shortlisting each category will be judged via the online platform, with access to each entry and its supporting information, from all valid entries submitted.
    2. Round 2: the judging panel chairs will meet to decide from the shortlisted entrants the winners of each category. The Grand Prix winner will be awarded at the end of Round 2 judging based on points awarded to the winning product.
    3. The BPMA will oversee but not participate in this judging process but will be on hand to ensure rules are followed.
    4. Judges must allocate a winner for each category. The judging process will consider originality, innovation, creativity, ethical and sustainable credentials, value for money and any criteria specified in the category.
    5. Each product will be scored accordingly at each judging stage. This will create a short list which will be submitted for Round 2 judging where winners are allocated. A platinum, gold and silver award will be awarded from the shortlisted entries if the judges deem the remaining entrants worthy of award. Judges can award two winners in each category where the judging panel is unable to agree on a single winner. Judges may also elect not to award a silver award at the panel’s discretion.
    6. The Grand Prix award will be awarded as follows, after all category winners have been selected: during Round 2 each Judging Panel member will select their ‘top three’ products in order of preference and allocate 3, 2, and 1 mark(s) accordingly. The Grand Prix winner will be the product that collects most points from the final Judging Panel. In the event of a draw, the remaining products will be subject to a second vote by the Judging Panel. If any Panel member has not voted by the deadline outlined by the Awards of Chair, their vote(s) will be discarded.
    7. Winners of the Grand Prix Product Award will be announced in January 2024 to the industry, featured in Product Media Magazine and at Merchandise World 2024. The awarding of these exceptions will be checked by the BPMA before judging concludes.
    8. In exceptional circumstances, Judges may not select a winner in a category. If this situation arises, the category will be cancelled, and entry fees refunded.
    9. Judges’ decisions are full and final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  21. Moderation and vetting: all judging is moderated to ensure fairness and equality between panels. All possible steps are taken to avoid allocating judges in panels where they have a vested interest. However, where a vested interest is unavoidable a judge will not mark, score or comment on that entry during the process and the entry will not be penalised as a result. The BPMA Executive team will be in attendance at all panel sessions and reviews the results before panels depart but does not participate in judging. All nominations are vetted for compliance with Product Awards Terms and Conditions together with legal compliance, where applicable. Entries may be downgraded or disqualified at this stage.
  22. In the event of circumstances outside the reasonable control of the BPMA, or otherwise where fraud, abuse, and/or an error affects or could affect the proper operation of these awards or the awarding of prizes, and only where circumstances make this unavoidable, the Promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the awards or these Terms and Conditions, at any stage, but will always endeavour to minimise the effect to entrants in order to avoid undue disappointment.
  23. All entries will remain the property of the BPMA, and the Association may wish to use information from entries in PR activity, case studies or educational content without payment to entrants. Please ensure any information that is confidential and for the judges’ eyes only is clearly marked as such in your submissions, any failure to do so is the sole responsibility of the entrant.

Promoter: British Promotional Merchandise Association Ltd (BPMA).