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The Hong Kong Exporter's Association Launches "Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards 2014"

The Hong Kong Exporters' Association
2014-03-12 15:34 1739

Annual occasion to generate business opportunities

HONG KONG, March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With The Hong Kong Exporter's Association (The HKEA) holding the first "Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards" in 2012, local corporate and designers have been given more opportunities to explore local and international markets. The "Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards 2014" is now calling for entries. The objectives of the awards this year are to encourage innovative designs with possible business strategies and increase the competitive edge of the local industry; "Green Awards" is also created to cater to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products.

Nurture young elites by creating business opportunities

The competition hopes to stimulate innovative design in the industry and create different business opportunities for participants, too. Products of the winning entries of last year were not only showcased in Jakarta, Indonesia and presented in different local exhibitions, they have also participated in the Ambiente 2014 -- Messe Frankfurt, a world-renowned design fair, in February. Additionally, the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Judge Awardees are invited to join the "Break the Cocoon, Sparkling Hong Kong!" program. It will provide them with a platform to interact with the procurement team of local department store, design organizations and trade associations, to share the visions and to increase their brand awareness for future business opportunities, bringing Hong Kong design and giftware industry to the global market.

This year, apart from exhibiting in various local fairs, the awarded corporate entries will be able to present their products at GIFTEX World, Tokyo, a leading trade fair in Japan. This will be a valuable opportunity to attract overseas investors. Moreover, the HKEA is creating an opportunity for the winners to attend Ambiente 2015 -- Messe Frankfurt.

Further, to nurture potential talents for the design industry, student winners will be promoted to design-related organizations as interns to enrich their work experience.

Diversified entrant groups open to Corporate, Students and Individuals

There will be two entry levels for the awards this year, Corporate Group and Conceptual Group. In addition, a new sub-division, Young Creative Individual will be included into the Conceptual Group to encourage potential individuals to join in the competition. The awards for the Corporate Group include five categories "Corporate Promotional Gifts", "Consumer Gifts: for Home", "Consumer Gifts: for Workplace", "Consumer Gifts: for Play" and "Consumer Gifts: Occasional Gifts" (NEW).

"Colours of the Orient" is the theme of the Conceptual Group (Student and Young Creative Individual). All submitted designs/prototypes have to be original or have been circulating on the market for not more than two years. For the Corporate Group, all entries must be completed, whilst participants of the Conceptual Group may submit the product in 2D sketching/3D rendering or a prototype with relevant design concept.

Newly introduced Green Awards to cope with global needs

Fifty entries will be selected and awarded this year. More than 15 prizes will be presented in the Corporate Group -- Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for the top 3 entries, and Merit for 4th to 8th place in each category. For the Student Group, the judging panel will select 15 entries -- Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards and 2 Outstanding Awards, and the rest will be presented with Merits. For Young Creative Individual, 3 out of 10 selected products will be presented with Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. Judges will also pick their favorite designs out of all entries for the Judges Awards.

Apart from the above prizes, "Green Awards" will be launched to sharpen the competitive edge of the local giftware industry in the environmental field. The judging criteria will be based on the concept, production process and the durability of the entries, as well as the application of raw materials in the product and other related areas.

"Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards" is now calling for entries. Please visit http://www.SmartGiftsDesignAwards.org.hk for further details of the awards. The deadline for submitting online is Sunday, 16 March 2014. Result will be announced in April.

Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards Hotline: +852-2730-2029

Award Schedule

Awards Kick-off 8 January 2014
Deadline for Online Registration   16 March 2014  
Adjudication 24 March 2014
Result Announcement & Press Conference 17 April 2014
SGDA Awards Presentation  27 April 2014
Roving exhibitions  Apr - Jun 2014
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair 2014 27 - 30 April 2014
d-mart, HKDI &IVE (Lee Wai Lee) 3 - 16 May 2014
Hong Kong popular shopping centre/mall End May - Mid June, 2014
GIFTEX World, Tokyo, Japan 09-11 July 2014
Source: The Hong Kong Exporters' Association
Keywords: Entertainment Retail
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