NAOPA Review: Rewarding the best

The venue is SP Richards’ Advantage Business Conference (ABC) in Nashville, Tennessee, the date 11-14 June 2014. The NAOPA recognise vendors and dealers in the industry and seek to find the real champions of our sector.

Following the success of the two dealer categories that were introduced last year, for Professional of the Year and Industry Achievement, these awards are once again part of this year’s category choices. Indeed, there have been some fantastic nominations and it is a testament to our thriving industry to see how many outstanding dealers are working in our industry and what remarkable achievements they have amassed for their businesses, the OP sector and their communities.

Like last year, there is no shortlist for these two awards and the winners will be revealed at the awards presentation on 13 June during the final night’s Gala Dinner at SP Richards’ ABC event.

The vendor awards meanwhile include entries for the Best Product in Cleaning and Breakroom, Core Office Products, Technology and Furniture as well as Innovation of the Year. The calibre of this year’s entries has once again been outstanding and demonstrates the vibrancy and innovation that manufacturers are bringing to the OP sector. This in turn, of course, can only benefit dealers and their customers.

The judges – comprising dealers, dealer groups, industry bodies and SPR category managers – had a truly challenging time choosing a shortlist but the top entries have now been decided for the vendor awards and are shown on the next page.

Overall, the judges were looking for strong product innovation, design and functionality and a clear demonstration of how these would benefit the reseller as well as the consumer. Other factors were the level of innovation and initiatives in promoting products to end users. 

The winning vendors will receive their awards during the ABC Office Products Expo on 12 June.   

SHORTLIST

All shortlisted productswill be entered into the People’s Choice category.

Best Product – Core Office Products

1. Deflecto: Lit Loc Interlocking Literature Displays
2.  Fellowes: I-Spire Home Office Accessories
3. MooreCo: Sharewall Full Wall Magnetic Whiteboard
4. Kokuyo: Staple-Free Stapler 
5. Victor Technology: Smart Charge Docking Stations

Best Product – Cleaning & Breakroom

1. 3M: 3M LED Advanced Light
2. Fellowes: AeraMax 190 Air Purifier
3. Kimberly-Clark Professional: Door Handle Disinfector 
4. Kimberly-Clark Professional: Scott 24 Hour Sanitizing Spray
5. MooreCo: Breakroom Bistro Tables

Best Product – Technology

1. 3M: Post-it Notes Evernote Collection
2. Leitz: Leitz Icon Smart Labeling System
3. Logitech: Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 
4. Newline Interactive: TruCast
5. Plantronics: Voyager Legend CS

Best Product – Furniture

1. MooreCo: Shapes Desk Configurable Desking System
2. MooreCo: Sharewall Full Wall Magnetic Whiteboard
3. MooreCo: Up-Rite Workstation – Mobile Sit-to-Stand Desk
4. Sentry Safe: Big Bolt Touch Lock Alarm Safe
5. Victor Technology: High Rise Collection

Product Innovation of the Year

1. Fellowes: AutoMax 500C Auto-feed Shredder 
2. Leitz: Leitz Icon Smart Printer
3. Newline Interactive: TruCast
4. Newline Interactive: TruTouch Full-HD Multi-Touch LED Display  
5. Smead: Stick-N-Find Bluetooth Location Trackers

For more information on the shortlisted products and to cast your vote, please go to www.opi.net/votenaopa2014