Once again, the Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik e.V. (KWF) will be hosting the renowned innovations competition, which will take place at the 16th KWF-Tagung (June 13 to 16, 2012, Bopfingen). For the sixth time, an expert committee will evaluate innovative forest technological developments from exhibiting companies and institutes. The award procedure has been completely revised for 2012. The presentation has become even more appealing to the visitors. Now, promising products will be nominated and presented as award candidates in the first round. The best of this circle of nominees will be presented with the KWF Innovation medal.
This new two-step procedure is modelled on the rules for the Oscar award ceremony and was introduced on the initiative of the KWF advisory committee. All exhibitors at the KWF-Expo are eligible to take part. In the initial phase, potential contestants are asked to present the KWF a concise overview of their latest developments. A commission of experts will then select the most convincing products from these applications. The list of nominees comprises for potential medal candidates will be revealed at the end of April in professional publications and the internet.
This keeps the press, professionals and visitors informed of the event highlights in the run-up to the KWF-Tagung. At the same time the nominees will have the opportunity of presenting detailed material to the KWF before the final award decisions.
This new procedure allows successful applicants to use their nomination for advertising purposes before the event begins. With this list of nominees or innovations, the press and visitors of the KWF-Tagung will hold a practical guide in their hands with the most important stations for planning their visit. In the exhibition area all nominated products will be immediately recognized by the sign “nominierte Medaillenkandidaten” (nominated award candidates).
The winners of the contest among the nominees and receivers of the coveted KWF Innovation medals will be decided on Thursday (June 14, 2012) just before the presentation of the awards in a festive ceremony at the KWF-Expo.
During the ceremony, the nominated candidates will be presented to the press and general public in word and visually before the winners are announced. The competent evaluations by the expert commission provide the professional world with valuable insights into innovations and trends.
To participate, interested companies must register their innovations with the KWF by April 16, 2012, at the latest.