Clothing manufacturers and bait makers are to have their own award categories at the EFTTEX 2010 Best New Product Competition. The announcement of the Clothing category means that the Accessories category will now be limited to bags, luggage and terminal tackle.
EFTTA Team and Membership Assistant, Victoria Seymour, explained the reasons for the change, saying: “EFTTA felt it was important to create a distinct category for manufacturers of terminal tackle and genuine fishing accessories. The Bait market, for example, is a major fast growing and innovative sector and we need to recognise that fact by giving the manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their products. Similarly, it’s important to give clothing companies a platform of their own.”
Competition entries within the Bait category are to include Soft/Dough natural hook baits only; and Boots and Waders will now be included in the Best Clothing category.
There is an extra incentive to enter the EFTTEX 2010 Best New Product Competition for exhibitors. All entries will be showcased within the July issue of Angling International, giving them increased exposure during the show. Details have yet to be finalised but each entry will be guaranteed editorial coverage within the showcase.
There will also be a tightening-up of conditions of entry for the competition at EFTTEX this year. Products must be “brand new to the tackle industry” so that the focus of the awards is on new launches at the show. Products will be judged on their inventiveness, so entrants will be required above all to explain how they have incorporated innovative new thinking within the design and manufacturing processes of the products they show.
A final change sees entries limited to four per company across all categories, and no more than one entry per category. The closing date for entries is May 21, 2010.
