Honoring the Best of the Surf Industry from 2014

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is now accepting entries for the 12th Annual SIMA Image Awards, recognizingthe best of the surf industry from 2014. All SIMA members that fall under the “regular” or “board builder” categories and are current on their membership dues will be invited to enter their brands and/or products at www.simaimageawards.com.

The SIMA Image Awards have become a much-anticipated tradition in the industry where deserving products can shine in the spotlight. The goal is to identify the surf industry’s brands and products that have shown innovation and creativity throughout 2014, keeping the surf industry relevant and thriving. The SIMA Image Awards is the only awards program that gives SIMA members and surf specialty retailers the opportunity to recognize fellow surf industry companies for their outstanding contributions to the surf industry.

The SIMA Image Awards features 13 award categories honoring the achievements of products and brands in 2014:

Product Awards
Accessory Product of the Year
Environmental Product of the Year
Footwear Product of the Year
Hardgoods Accessory Product of the Year
Surfboard of the Year
Wetsuit of the Year

Men’s Awards
Men’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
Men’s Apparel Brand of the Year
Men’s Boardshort of the Year

Women’s Awards
Women’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year
Women’s Swim Brand of the Year

Overall Awards
Breakout Brand of the Year

This year the SIMA Image Awards will be introducing a new way to honor and thank retailers for all that they do in the industry. The SIMA Board of Directors is excited to introduce this addition to the awards ceremony and hope that it becomes a strong tradition throughout the years. More details will be revealed at a later date.

The SIMA Image Awards process begins with entries. Today main contacts at regular and board builder SIMA member companies will receive a brand-specific username and password via email that will be used to submit entries online. October 17is the final deadline for entries.

Once entries close, a Nominating Panel comprised of manufacturers and retailers will review all entries. Votes from the Nominating Panel will determine the five nominees in each category. Official nominees will be announced in mid-November, followed by final voting by all SIMA member companies and 200 specialty retailers. The SIMA Image Award winners will be announced at a live ceremony in February 2015 in Orange County, California. More information about the ceremony date and location, as well as how to access tickets, will be available in the coming months.

A complete description of awards criteria, list of Nominating Panelists, and a detailed explanation of the entry and voting processes and materials required can be found at www.simaimageawards.com.

Logo courtesy Surf Industry Manufacturers Association