The International Dairy Foods Association, Washington, D.C., launched the first annual Innovations Awards, created to recognize excellence in innovation and technology. The Innovations Awards are open to all companies in the dairy industry, and winners will be announced at the 2011 International Dairy Show, which will be held Sept. 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

"This is a great way for exhibitors to bring their products and services to the attention of the dairy industry," says Robin Cornelison, IDFA tradeshow director. "Companies will gain recognition from peers and potential customers for their innovative products and services."

Award winners will be selected in each of the following categories:
•    Food safety
•    Ingredient/flavoring/seasoning/additives
•    Packaging
•    Processing
•    Sustainability
•    Attendee choice award

Winning entries will exemplify one or more of the following qualities:
•    Substantial achievement in price or performance;
•    Significant advancement in a technology or its application; and/or
•    Innovative design.

To qualify, submissions must be for products or services that have been or will be introduced to the market between Sept. 16, 2010 and Sept. 21, 2011. The online submission deadline is Aug. 5.
Posters featuring submissions will be on display near the Innovations Showcase Pavilion in the International Dairy Show exhibit hall. IDFA staff members and industry professionals will judge the submissions. IDFA will notify finalists on or before Aug. 22.

Voting for the Attendee Choice Award will take place during the International Dairy Show and will end at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20. All award winners will be announced on Sept. 21 at the iDairyShow Theater in Booth 330.

In addition, award winners will be promoted in the October 2011 edition of Dairy Foods magazine.

For more information, visit www.dairyshow.com or contact Robin Cornelison at rcornelison@idfa.org.