Editorial

Not Just For Members Only

Did you ever see an article in one of your favorite magazines or newspapers on a person or company and wonder, "How did they get a feature story?" Or how about the times you read in your local papers about some kid who has absolutely no talent, but was just in the right place at the right time? When you saw it were you thinking that it should have been your company or kid in that story? Every year a leading industry association heavily promotes an annual award and asks companies to submit products that were introduced within the past year. The categories cover the wide range of efforts manufacturers and professionals put into product development such as technical innovation, merchandising, specialty applications and dealer incentives as well as specific product categories. The winners are selected by a panel of judges that includes trade magazines, consumer magazines and retailers. They choose category winners as well as single out products for top honors. Though many industry manufacturers are aware of and even anticipate this annual event, there is a greater number out there who don't submit the latest and greatest product ideas for consideration. That's a shame because these awards are the industry's premiere competition for showcasing what's really new and exciting. If you couldn't tell by now, this annual contest we have been referring to is the Product Innovation Awards put on by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association, or better known as the WCMA. The best part of the contest is that you do not have to be a member of the association to submit products for judging. When you review the winning entries for this year's contest and see who won, you should no longer have to say to yourself, "That should have been my company or product!" Everyone has an opportunity to be in the right place at the right time. If you would like more information about next year's awards or to receive an entry application, please contact Maria Ungaro at WCMA, (212) 297-2124. Maybe next year we'll see your company mentioned in the Special Report on winning entries. Good luck!

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