The Edison Awards are held in honor of the famous innovator Thomas Alva Edison. The Awards are in recognition of excellence in innovations, new product or service development, and human-centered designs. The awards are held in the United States and were first awarded in 1987. The award evaluation process is tested within four criteria which include; Value, concept, Impact, and Delivery. Previous award winners have been developed game-changing products, service delivery methods and have reflected excellence and leadership in their business undertakings. The Edison Awards exists as an independent organization and is actively involved organizing both Edison Green Awards and Edison Achievement Awards held every year.
Nominations
The Edison Awards are held in September with fifteen categories considered for both product and service delivery innovators. The nominations are charge a fee of $1,000 that goes towards vetting of the innovations by the Edison Awards Steering Committee members who then provide a list of the finalists to the Panel of Judges who comprise of over 3,000 renowned business executives and academics drawn from various sectors within the nation. The awards gala is organized as an annual event in April of each year. Interestingly, for each category, the best three participants are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Various categories
In 2017, the Edison Awards categories are; Applied Technologies, Athletics, Sports & Recreation, Consumer Gods, Consumer Electronics & Information Technology, Energy & Sustainability, Industrial design, Health & Awareness, Innovation Services, Living, Working & Learning Environments, Media, Visual Communications & Entertainment, Medical or Dental Services, Science, Social Innovation , Transport and Logistics.
Impact made
The Edison Achievement Award is awarded to one or more individuals in recognition of their impact on the society or business through their innovation, excellence, leadership, careers as well as lifetime achievements. The holder of the Achievement Award is credited for their significant contribution towards innovation around the world. Moreover, the nominees for the Achievement Award unlike in Edison Awards are not solicited but selected from the society. The Edison Steering Committee makes the commitment to announce the final results during Fall of each year which is then followed by honoring in April. Between 1991 and 2017 thirty-three winners have been honored with the Edison Achievement Awards.
Conclusion
Additionally, The Edison Awards besides recognition have multiple benefits which include; Individual or Brand visibility, Endorsement, and Validation of innovations and existing products and services, Financial and Mentorship support, Influence, and Impact to the target group or the society at large. Also, finalist gets to network with the key players in their area of interest and specialization and get benefits such as using the Edison Award Nominee Seal alongside media promotions of the nominee.