The awards provide a showcase for the latest innovations and technological advancements that have taken place in the industry since the 2013 International Dairy Show.

"The Innovation Awards offer a great way for exhibitors to bring their new products and services to the attention of the dairy industry," said Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show director. "This is the third Innovation Awards competition and we are thrilled to see all of the innovative products and services when they are submitted and displayed at the Dairy Show."

Dairy Foods magazine, the Innovation Awards co-sponsor, will invite its readers to view and vote for their favorite innovations.

"We are delighted to be working with Dairy Foods as co-sponsor of the awards again this year," said Neil Moran, senior vice president of IDFA. "The award presentations during the show and follow-up coverage in Dairy Foods have given companies even more 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/Additive
• Packaging
• Processing
• Sustainability
• Attendee Choice Award

Criteria for winning an IDFA Innovation 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;
• Innovative design.

To qualify, the submissions must be products or services that have been or will be introduced to the market from Nov. 4, 2013, through Sept. 18, 2015. The online submission deadline is July 17, 2015.

Posters featuring submissions will be on display in the International Dairy Show exhibit hall. IDFA staff members, industry professionals and Dairy Foods readers will judge the submissions. IDFA will notify finalists in all categories except the Attendee Choice Award on or before July 31, 2015.

Voting for the Attendee Choice Award will take place during the International Dairy Show and will end at noon on September 17, 2015. All award winners will be announced on September 18, 2015, from the International Dairy Show iDairyShow Theater in the North Hall of McCormick Place. In addition, award winners will be featured in a future edition of Dairy Foods.

The online submission form is available at IDFA Innovation Awards submission form.

The International Dairy Show is co-located with the Food Processing Suppliers Association’s (FPSA) Process Expo and NürnbergMesse’s InterBev Process; the co-located shows combined will have more than 300,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring nearly 1,000 industry suppliers and 20,000 food, dairy and beverage attendees.

The Dairy Show will feature the newest innovations in technology, packaging, ingredients and services for the dairy foods industry. Educational sessions will offer solutions that span the entire manufacturing process, and attendees will have the opportunity to visit exhibits displaying everything dairy companies need to run more efficiently, create new products and improve profitability.