The DAME Design Awards at METSTRADE has opened for entries with new reimagined categories that reflect the rapidly changing nature of marine technology and the industry’s future customers.
The DAME is a competition that highlights the merits of good design in all its many facets. Everything is assessed, from functionality, and innovation, through to integration, practicality of use, price to performance ratio and presentation.
Entrants must also explain how environmental impact reduction has been considered across the whole product design. Nominees and winners of this famous award enjoy valuable exposure from the well-deserved recognition of their successful products.
DAME Design Awards entries in 2023 will be judged against eight completely new categories, redesigned in response to the evolving world around us. They reflect how end users are likely to interact with marine equipment in the future. They also accommodate major shifts of industry focus, such as moves towards interoperability, automation and alternative energy and propulsion.
Entries open
METSTRADE exhibitors are encouraged to submit entries online from now until the 16 September deadline. A month-long process of virtual and physical assessment follows. It is led by a highly experienced Jury of 10 comprising leading boat, interior, and industrial designers, and user experts. In a final two-day product inspection meeting , they select a nominated shortlist of entries, before identifying the best product in each category. An eventual DAME Design Awards overall winner is chosen from this best of the best list. The yacht designer, Andre Hoek, will once again chair the Jury this year.
DAME recognition at the heart of METSTRADE
All DAME nominated products benefit from high-profile presence on an expansive special showcase within the heart of METSTRADE. Category Winners and the eventual DAME Design Award Winners are announced at a Breakfast Briefing in front of many industry peers on the first day of the show. The DAME Jury also awards a series of Special Mentions and a discretionary Environmental Design Winner.
Additional exposure
The DAME is a key highlight of the year for the whole marine equipment sector. Winning and nominated companies benefit greatly from additional exposure of their products. The DAME also provides valuable recognition for the often-unsung heroes behind many of the industry’s marine equipment designs.
Winner of the DAME 2022 overall winner, Ocean Signal, capitalised on the success and exposure afforded by such a high-profile achievement for its rescueME PLB3. The company’s Managing Director James Hewitt said: “We are delighted to receive recognition from the DAME Jury. The team here dedicated many hours to perfecting an advanced Personal Locator Beacon to save thousands of lives. So it is hugely rewarding to receive this prestigious industry award.”
About the DAME
The DAME (Design Award at METSTRADE) was launched in 1991 to promote design across all disciplines and recognise the best-designed products at the show. In the 31 editions many hundreds of pioneering companies in the marine equipment sector, have had their design achievements recognised .
Participation is open to manufacturers and authorised suppliers who are registered as exhibitors at the Show. Entries close on 16 September 2023.