DAME Awards at METSTRADE opens for entries

Entries have opened for the DAME Awards, which last took place in 2019.

The long-awaited 30th edition of the DAME (Design Award at METSTRADE) Awards will take place at the in-person METSTRADE 2021 show, which will be held from 16-18 November in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. 

Entries are open to manufacturers and authorised suppliers who are registered as exhibitors or co-exhibitors and entries close on 17 September 2021.

This year the DAME Awards aims to return to its usual format, with entries judged across seven categories before an eventual winner is chosen. It is assessed by a jury comprising leading boat, interior and industrial designers, as well as user experts. They will be assessing the equipment design in all aspects, from styling, functionality and innovation, through to integration, practicality of use, price to performance and presentation.

Reflecting the changing importance of environmental factors, entrants this year will be asked to submit additional information on the lifecycle impacts of their products. The jury will, at its discretion, award a special Environmental Design Winner certificate to a product that represents the best example among all entries that fits the DAME criteria in an impressively sustainable way.

A significant number of entries typically attain nomination status, which brings their products to the attention of the global marine audience ahead of METSTRADE and at the show itself. Those that go on to achieve DAME category and overall winner awards are acknowledged as having reached the top standard of design practice for marine equipment in their field.

U SAFE’s Nick Bice, who won the DAME in 2019, says: “We needed to be seen as a legitimate professional product and winning the DAME Award was our breakthrough moment. The whole marine industry, as well as many outside of it, know what the DAME is.”

Scanstrut’s Tom Reed, who won in 2017, adds: “The DAME offers equal opportunities to companies of all sizes. No matter whatever it is, your product gets viewed next to others from businesses with 10 times the budget. If you’ve done a good job, met all of the criteria and created a really good piece of equipment, you have every chance to beat the largest marine companies.” 

The DAME Awards are organised each year in conjunction with the METSTRADE show.

There is a €150 registration fee per product that each METSTRADE exhibitor pays to enter the DAME Awards, which is donated to charity. The METSTRADE Exhibition Committee has decided that this year’s DAME proceeds will go to the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE). BLUE is working to restore the ocean to health by creating marine reserves, developing models of sustainable fishing and restoring vital marine habitats.