Entries open for 2025 DAME Design Awards at Metstrade
Entries are now open for the 2025 DAME Design Awards, held annually at Metstrade, which recognise examples of design in the leisure marine equipment sector. Proceeds from entry fees will support this year’s designated charity, the Ocean Conservation Trust.
Now in its 34th year, the DAME Design Awards focus on equipment that contributes to accessibility, usability, sustainability and efficiency in boating. Submissions will be assessed by a panel of industry experts against a range of criteria, including functionality, aesthetics, environmental impact, innovation and efficiency. The awards consider both completely new products and iterative improvements.
Entry is open to all Metstrade exhibitors until 19 September 2025. Submissions must be made online, and physical products must be shipped to arrive in Amsterdam by 6 October 2025. The judging process begins with an initial virtual evaluation followed by a two-day in-person review at RAI Amsterdam. A shortlist of nominated products will then be selected and evaluated for potential category awards and a discretionary Environmental Design Award. Finally, one of the category winners will be named the Overall Winner of the DAME Design Awards.
Nominated products will be displayed at the DAME Design Awards Showcase in Hall 13 at Metstrade. This area, located within the main exhibition, is visited by thousands of marine professionals during the three-day event. Over the past ten years, more than 500 products have been featured in this space.
The winners of the DAME Awards 2025 will be announced during Metstrade’s official opening on 18 November 2025.
Entry fees from the 2025 awards will be donated to the Ocean Conservation Trust. The organisation, which began 25 years ago with the establishment of the UK’s National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, has expanded to carry out wider ocean health advocacy, research and habitat restoration.
The organisation’s CEO, Ian McFazden, says: “The Ocean Conservation Trust is honoured to be chosen by the DAME Design Awards, where innovation meets purpose, to help drive forward our mission to protect and restore our Ocean for future generations. We rely on generous donations like this to continue our vital work, restoring precious seagrass habitats, advancing marine conservation, and connecting people with the Ocean. We are sincerely grateful for this inspiring show of support.”
DAME categories for 2025
The eight DAME categories were revised in 2023 to match changes in product development and have been further updated in 2025 to reflect Metstrade’s new product categorisation:
- Personal Equipment
- Onboard Facilities, Comfort & Entertainment
- Navigation & Communication
- Electronic & Electrical Systems
- Propulsion & Dynamics
- Deck Equipment
- Safety & Security Aboard
- Manufacturing & Support Products & Materials
(The jury may also present a DAME Environmental Design Award to a product deemed to exemplify sustainable innovation.)
Metstrade is organised by RAI Amsterdam in collaboration with ICOMIA. The 2025 edition will take place from 18–20 November at RAI Amsterdam. It is the largest trade show dedicated to the global leisure marine industry and brings together yacht builders, naval architects, refit professionals, distributors and equipment manufacturers.
