The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) announced that the Call For Entries for the 16th Annual SIMA Awards, celebrating the best of the surf industry from 2019, is now open. Established in 2003, the SIMA Awards strives to identify the surf industry’s most influential and innovative products, brands, media and retailers and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry.
The Awards will again feature 19 categories including the return of Retailer of the Year Awards in four geographic categories and Consumer Media Feature of the Year, as well as product, marketing and brand awards. The winners from all categories will be announced at the SIMA Awards Ceremony on March 11, 2020 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California.
All Regular, Board Builder, and consumer media Associate SIMA members have the opportunity to enter their own brands and products for consideration in qualifying categories. Entries will be reviewed and voted on by SIMA members and a select list of top specialty retailers. The outcome of the voting will determine the five finalists in each category. The top finalist in each category based on points awarded in voting will be the winner. The call for entries for all award categories is now open and will close on January 20, 2020. A complete description of awards criteria, as well as a detailed explanation of the entry and voting process can be found at www.sima.com/about-sima-awards/.
Non-SIMA members are welcome to apply for membership in order to enter their brand or products for consideration. Information on membership and membership applications can be found at www.sima.com/join. Specialty retailers can request more information about submitting their store for consideration in the retail award categories by emailing info1@sima.com.
2019 SIMA AWARDS CATEGORIES
• Accessory Product of the Year
Awarded to the accessory product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 that featured the most exciting innovation, design or appeal. Accessory products such as watches, hardgoods accessories (fins, leashes, etc.), headphones, socks, and other accessories other than eyewear can be considered.
• Environmental Product of the Year
Awarded to the most exciting, appealing and/or innovative environmental surf product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. Consider apparel, footwear, accessory, wetsuit, surfboard or any other surf-related product that was created to lessen the impact on the environment, whether through its manufacturing process, materials or usage of the product itself.
• Footwear Product of the Year
Awarded to the footwear product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation.
• Eyewear Product of the Year
Awarded to the eyewear product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation.
• Wetsuit of the Year
Awarded to the wetsuit style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019) that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation.
SURFBOARD
• Performance Shortboard Model of the Year
Awarded to the shortboard model available to customers from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 that best catered to the competition-minded customer through exciting design, appeal and/or innovation.
• Alternative Surfboard Model of the Year
Awarded to the surfboard model available to customers from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 with the most exciting design, appeal and/or innovation that does not qualify as a performance shortboard. Examples include, but are not limited to: longboards, fishes, mini Simmons, quads, gliders, single-fins, and mid lengths.
MEN’S
• Men’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the men’s apparel, footwear, wetsuit, hardgoods or accessory brand that produced the most creative marketing campaign in 2019. Consider men’s brands that displayed a creative, cohesive and consistent brand message in areas such as digital, social media, print, and/or point-of-purchase materials. Campaign must have first appeared in the market between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Men’s Apparel Brand of the Year
Awarded to the men’s apparel brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased its brand appeal, and grew its business between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Men’s Boardshort Brand of the Year
Awarded to the men’s boardshort brand that featured the most exciting designs, appeal, and innovation between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
WOMEN’S
• Women’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the women’s apparel, swimwear, footwear, wetsuit, hardgoods or accessory brand that produced the most creative marketing campaign in 2019. Consider women’s brands that displayed a creative, cohesive and consistent brand message in areas such as digital, social media, print, and/or point-of-purchase materials. Campaign must have first appeared in the market between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year
Awarded to the women’s apparel brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased its brand appeal, and grew its business between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Women’s Swim Brand of the Year
Awarded to the women’s swim brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased its brand appeal, and grew its business between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
OVERALL
• Breakout Brand of the Year
Recognizing the small- to mid-size men’s or women’s brand that experienced break out growth between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. Consider surfboard, apparel, footwear, wetsuit and accessory brands that had a breakthrough year through product development and/or increased brand recognition and appeal. Nominated companies can be new or established brands, but must have annual U.S. sales of at least $1 million and no more than $10 million (previous winners of this category are no longer eligible for five years).
MEDIA
• Consumer Media Feature of the Year
Awarded to the print, digital, or multi-platform feature, collection, or series in a consumer-facing print or online media outlet that displayed the most creativity in concept, content, and/or execution, that best represented surfing as a cultural force, best represented the essence of surf culture, and best served the surf consumer, between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
RETAIL
“Specialty Retail” is defined as a stand-alone store or retailer with 15 doors or less that carries surf products. The entry is to be for one storefront location/address that must be specified when the entry is submitted. Stores owned by surf brands/manufacturers are not eligible.
• Retailer of the Year – East Coast
Awarded to the East Coast specialty retail storefront (in the following states: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, and PR) carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Retailer of the Year – Inland America
Awarded to the Inland America specialty retail storefront (in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, DC, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WI, and WY) carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Retailer of the Year – West Coast
Awarded to the West Coast specialty retail storefront (in the following states: CA, OR, WA, and AK) carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
• Retailer of the Year – Hawaii
Awarded to the Hawaii specialty retail storefront carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research.
