Innovation recognised

Excellent quality and diversity at this year’s DAME Awards.

23 October 2017

The Jury of the DAME Design Award 2017 competition has announced that 64 products from a total field of 122 entries have been nominated to enter the final round. To reach this stage is a notable achievement, one which is acknowledged by the creation of a special DAME 2017 display area during the METSTRADE Show itself.

Visitors will be able to see the very broad diversity of submissions, with products that will be used on all sizes of watercraft, from stand-up paddleboards through to superyachts, with equipment prices ranging from just €3 to six figures.

This year’s entry of 122 products from 22 countries shows the continued growth of interest in the DAME Awards.

The quality of the entries also continues to increase, as DAME Jury Chairwoman Birgit Schnaase explains, “I’m very positive about what we are seeing at the 2017 edition of the DAME as we have so many good entries to judge. The overall standard has improved again compared to last year’s entries, and there were many items of interest for all aspects of naval architecture, exterior styling and interior design.

2016 overall DAME award winners

METStrade

“Our strong team of new and existing Jury members applied their expert knowledge and experience, and engaged in fruitful debate. We have had quite a few detailed discussions on the products themselves and the effect that we think they will have within the future of the marine industry.”

“The marine sector’s end users are changing – older and younger generations often have different ideas about what they want from a boat and their marine equipment, with younger people often forgoing their own boat and preferring more accessible products.

“Wealthier customers’ tastes are diverging even more from those of other users. We are seeing welcome evidence that products are being developed to address these market changes.”

The DAME winners will be announced during the Breakfast Briefing on the opening day of the METSTRADE Show 2017, which will take place at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre from 14 to 16 November.

Now in their 27th edition, the DAME Awards promotes a wide range of marine equipment design, showcasing everything from aesthetics to functionality, integration to packaging, and price efficiency to lifecycle management. There is a steady stream of new and exciting products for the Jury to examine. This reflects the successes achieved by exhibitors at the METSTRADE Show as they continue to push boundaries and work to match the ever-increasing expectations of the marine industry’s customers and its supply chain.

In its assessments, the Jury seeks to emphasise the importance of design for all kinds of marine products. The DAME Jury also considers the expected impact of the entries on the marine industry at large, their suitability for the intended purpose, the level of innovation, cost, ease of use or installation, and environmental impact. The overall winner and up to seven category winners are chosen from the nominated entries. Products that do not win any awards outright but are considered exceptional are given a Special Mention.

DAME categories

The shortlisted products are divided into seven categories:

– Marine electronics and related software

– Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins

– Marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools & materials

– Deck equipment, sails and rigging

– Clothing and crew accessories

– Lifesaving and safety equipment

– Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems & fittings

metstrade.com