Applications invited for DSF 2004 Innovation Awards

Under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, DSF 2004 Key and Support Sponsors, Patrons, Participating Retail Outlets and Global Village Participants may submit their applications for the 'Innovation Awards'.

Laila Suhail, Corporate Alliance Director, Dubai Shopping Festival, said, "We, who work so closely with these organizations and companies that contribute so much to DSF every year, know how much creativity and original thinking goes into each offer and promotion that visitors and residents see around Dubai. These 'Innovation Awards' is our way of letting Dubai know the planning and thinking that goes into each DSF, and to celebrate the best ideas that translated into good results."

4pm on 22nd January is the closing time for receiving applications, and participants can make more than one entry, as long as each entry is on a different application form. The participant must submit the form completely filled in, along with a one page write-up on the Idea, the Execution of the Idea, and the Results Expected. Retail Outlets applying for the Best Retail Service Award need to submit a single-page write-up on the idea and execution in their respective outlets.

All entries will be judged by an expert panel of judges and customers, and evaluation will be based on the following weightage- 50% for the Idea, 25% for the Execution and 25% for the End Result. The participants that have been shortlisted by the judges will have to appear at a workshop and make a 10-minute presentation on the 10th of February 2004. This would need to be supported by references like pictures, flyers, print or video advertisements and the like.

The categories for the Innovation Award are Best Shopping Mall Promotion, Best Shopping Mall Décor, Best Shopping Mall Event, Best Retail Promotion, Best Retail Visual Merchandising, Best Retail Service, Best City Event and Best Humanitarian Event. The Awards for the Global Village category are Best Pavilion Design, Best Pavilion Management & Service and Best Cultural Representation of a Country.

This ultimate recognition of innovation and business success is now an eagerly awaited event surrounding Dubai Shopping Festival, and identifies and encourages unique and innovative business methods, a phenomenon true of Dubai itself.