North American Office Products Awards 2021 (NAOPA)

And the winners are:

Professional of the Year 2021
Ian Wist

Industry Achievement 2021
Yancey Jones Sr

Young Executive of the Year 2021
Hunter Jordan

Best Product – Core Business Product

• 3M – 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
• 3M –Post-it Flex Write Surface
• Avery –Avery PermaTrack Metallic Asset Tag Labels
• COLOP – e-mark
• Kensington – UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment

WINNER: COLOP – e-mark

Best Product – Facilities, Breakroom, Safety & Infection Control

• 3M – Scotch-Brite One Step Disinfectant & Cleaner
• ACCO Brands – Leitz TruSens Z-3500 Smart Air Purifier
• Fellowes Brands – AeraMax Pro
• Kensington – UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment
• OttLite Technologies – OttLite Sanitizing Desk Lamps

WINNER: Fellowes Brands – Fellowes Air Purifiers – AeraMax Pro

Best Product – Furniture & Design

• C-Line Products – Chair Cubbies
• Ghent – Pointe Mobile Glassboard & Partition
• Special-T – CORE by Safe-T
• Special-T– LINK Flip & Nest Collaboration Table
• Victor Technology – DC830B 3ft Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk

WINNER: Special-T – CORE by Safe-T

Best Product – Technology

• COLOP – e-mark
• Kensington – StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
• Kensington – VeriMark Guard Fingerprint Keys
• OneScreen – OneScreen GoSafe
• Xebec –Xebec Tri-Screen 2

WINNER: OneScreen – OneScreen GoSafe

Innovation of the Year

• 3M – 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
• 3M – Post-it Flex Write Surface
• Kensington – StudioDock iPad Docking Station
• Kensington – StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
• Newell Brands – Sharpie S-Gel Pen

 WINNER: 3M – Post-it Flex Write Surface

People’s Choice

WINNER: Kensington – StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices

 Read more in the next edition of OPI.

More information www.opi.net/naopa2021

The People’s Choice – opens Friday, August 27 2021

The People’s Choice is an award chosen from the top scoring products from the North American Office Products Awards 2021. These are exceptional products that have delighted the judges and now it is up to you to choose your favourite.

The shortlist of products will be available online and you will be able to vote for your favourite. This category gives a real opportunity for products that are a little more niche, new or unusual to get the profile they deserve, along with more established products. 

You can’t enter this category directly, so choose one of the five product categories to enter and then you can be put forward to the People’s Choice. 

The winner of the People’s Choice award will be announced at the ISG Industry Week 2021 in Orlando, Florida from 7-12 November 2021.

It is a real honour to win this award, so make sure you vote (when voting opens) and help us reward a great product!

You only have two votes so choose wisely. 

People’s Choice Shortlist:

• 3M: 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
• 3M: Post-it Flex Write Surface
• 3M: Scotch-Brite One Step Disinfectant & Cleaner
• ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
• ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioDock iPad Docking Station
• ACCO Brands: Kensington UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment
• ACCO Brands: Kensington VeriMark Guard Fingerprint Key
• ACCO Brands: TruSens Z-3500 Smart Air Purifier
• Avery Products: Avery PermaTrack Metallic Asset Tag Labels
• C-Line Products: Chair Cubbies
• COLOP: COLOP e-mark
• Fellowes: Fellowes Air Purifiers – AeraMax® Pro
• Ghent: Pointe Mobile Glassboard & Partition
• Newell Brands: Sharpie S Gel Pen
• OneScreen: OneScreen GoSafe Entryway Management System
• OttLite Technologies: OttLite Sanitizing Desk Lamps with SpectraClean and ClearSun LED technology
• Special-T: CORE by Safe-T
• Special-T: LINK Collaboration Tables
• Victor Technology: DC830B 3ft Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk (compact)
• Xebec: Xebec Tri-Screen 2

North American Office Products Awards 2021 Shortlist

Best Product – Core Business Product

• 3M: 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
• 3M: Post-it Flex Write Surface
• Avery Products: Avery PermaTrack Metallic Asset Tag Labels
• COLOP: COLOP e-mark
• ACCO Brands: Kensington UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment

Best Product – Facilities, Breakroom, Safety & Infection Control

• 3M: Scotch-Brite One Step Disinfectant & Cleaner
• Fellowes: AeraMax Pro Air Purifier
• ACCO Brands: Kensington UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment
• OttLite Technologies: OttLite Sanitizing Desk Lamps with SpectraClean and ClearSun LED technology
• ACCO Brands: TruSens Z-3500 Smart Air Purifier

Best Product – Furniture & Design

• C-Line Products: Chair Cubbies
• Ghent: Pointe Mobile Glassboard & Partition
• Special-T: CORE by Safe-T
• Special-T: LINK Collaboration Tables
• Victor Technology: DC830B 3ft Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk (compact)

Best Product – Technology

• COLOP: COLOP e-mark
• ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
• ACCO Brands: Kensington VeriMark Guard Fingerprint Key
• OneScreen: OneScreen GoSafe Entryway Management System
• Xebec: Xebec Tri-Screen 2

Innovation of the Year

• 3M: Post-it Flex Write Surface
• 3M: 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
• ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioDock iPad Docking Station
• ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
• Newell Brands: Sharpie S Gel Pen

Young Executive of the Year
No shortlist. The winner will be announced on the night.
Professional of the Year
No shortlist. The winner will be announced on the night.
Industry Achievement
No shortlist. The winner will be announced on the night.

Enter the North American Office Products Awards 2021 (NAOPA)

This exciting programme rewards the very best vendors and dealers operating in North America.

It’s been a challenging year for everyone in the industry and some have triumphed over adversity, finding ways to grow and thrive during the pandemic. This might be through new products and services or by pivoting their business in a new direction.

The NAOPA awards celebrate these successes and OPI encourages you to reward your team and enter now.

Free and simple to enter
There is no charge to enter the awards, so don’t miss this free marketing opportunity. The Awards are open to anyone working within or supplying products or services to the IDC. There is just a simple online form to complete.

Award categories
There will be nine awards presented at the NAOPA 2021:
• Best Product – Core Business Products
• Best Product – Furniture & Design
• Best Product – Facilities, Breakroom, Safety & Infection Control
• Best Product – Technology
• Innovation of the Year
• People’s Choice
• Young Executive of the Year
• Professional of the Year
• Industry Achievement

More information
If you have any questions on the awards, judges, categories or entry procedures please contact janet.bell@opi.net

Make sure that you enter now and raise your profile in the independent dealer community.

Deadline for entries: July 18 2021

Categories

There will be nine awards presented at the NAOPA 2021:
• Best Product – Core Business Products
• Best Product – Furniture & Design
• Best Product – Facilities, Breakroom, Safety & Infection Control
• Best Product – Technology
• Innovation of the Year
• People’s Choice
• Young Executive of the Year
• Professional of the Year
• Industry Achievement

Categories in detail:

Professional of the Year   
You are invited to nominate the best talent you have encountered in the industry. This may be an employee from your organisation who has had a significant impact on growth, productivity and morale. It could be an owner who is growing their business, using innovative techniques and really making a difference both in the industry and their community. Alternatively, you can nominate an exceptional executive working for a customer, supplier or partner. What we are looking for is an outstanding executive, working within or supplying products or services to the IDC, who has the potential to influence the future of the independent dealer channel.

Industry Achievement Award   
This award seeks to recognise the achievement of a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the business products industry over the course of their career. This inspirational individual may have been instrumental in the success of an organisation, or has helped advance the dealer channel in North America through their dedication and commitment.
The individual must work within, or supply products or services to, the IDC. 

Young Executive of the Year
The business supplies industry needs young and dynamic individuals to ensure its continued success. This is your chance to reward a young executive (35 or under) who is making a real impact in their business and maybe the sector too. We are looking for individuals that are not only making a difference where they work but are also taking part in the wider OP community. This may be through associations, charities or dealer organisations. You can nominate a colleague, customer, supplier or you can enter yourself.

To enter you must be:

• 35 or under
• Currently in a leadership position within a dealership in the IDC
• Must have made significant, demonstrable changes to improve the dealership – could be sales, operations, technology, etc. Please provide examples
• Ideally, you have become involved in the wider dealer community, for example through your dealer group, wholesaler, community or charity

Best Product of the Year 

In four categories: 

• Best Product – Core Business Products
• Best Product – Furniture & Design
• Best Product – Facilities, Breakroom, Safety & Infection Control
• Best Product – Technology

We will be looking for outstanding products in all of the above categories. The categories are open to products that are available to sell in the business products channel. This will include verticals such as the workplace, the home office, education, safety and PPE.

It might be a new product or one that has delivered strong revenue for many years that has had a successful relaunch or refresh. We want to see excellent product development and value for customers.

The judges will be looking for:

• Product innovation, design and functionality
• If it is an existing product, how it has improved upon previous designs/models
• The benefits for the reseller and the consumer
• The level of marketing support, innovation and initiatives in promoting the products to the end-user
• Outstanding sales performance
• Excellent supporting content, especially video

Entries are open to any business products company or individual based in or that has a physical presence in North America. 

Innovation of the Year
Nothing determines the success of any industry more than innovation. It is the lifeblood of our sector and without it we become commoditised. This award seek to discover the truly innovative products and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. This can include products, technology solutions, significant enhancements or supply chain innovations.

The judges will be looking for:

• Functionality
• Design
• Originality
• Potential to generate revenue
• Excellent supporting marketing material and content, especially video

The product must have been launched in the last two years.

Entries are open to any business products company or individual based in or that has a physical presence in North America. 

People’s Choice

You cannot enter this award directly. The shortlisted products from the above categories are automatically entered into this award and the winner is chosen by a public vote. This will give all resellers the chance to vote from the shortlist for their choice for the product of the year. So if you would like to win this award make sure you enter one of the above product categories.

Not sure what to enter? 

If you have a product and you are not sure which category to enter, it then contact us for advice at events@opi.net 

The Entry Process

• The North American Office Products Awards are open to any companies or individuals that are headquartered or have a physical presence in North America who are working within, or supplying products and services to, the IDC.
• The manufacturing process, where applicable, can take place elsewhere but the company must have a real presence in the North America.
• You can enter as many categories as you wish.
• You may enter the same category multiple times.
• The deadline for entries is 18 July 2021 for both the vendor and the dealer awards
• Please complete the online entry form by answering all the questions listed, providing as much relevant information as possible.
• Only information provided on the entry form will be sent to the judges.
• Entries are treated in the strictest confidence.
• Judges will not be allowed to adjudicate in any category where they may have a conflict of interest.

The judging process

• The judges reserve the right to switch submissions between categories if they feel it is appropriate.
• The judges may decide not to bestow an award in a particular category.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The shortlist will be announced by 31 August 2021.
• Winners will be announced at the ISG Industry Week 2021 from 7-12th November 2021 in Orlando, Florida.