Best of Show Contest

The Best of Show contest generates excitement with attendees on the show floor and offers exhibitors a way to elevate the overall effectiveness of their exhibit, product/service presentation and staff performance. Winners receive industry recognition and a variety of valuable prizes.

Start preparing now!  Review the contest guidelines below and tips from the judges so you know how to stand out.

Exhibitors are automatically entered in the Best of Show Contests for their corresponding segment and booth size. Contest categories include:

The Produce, Floral, Business Solutions, and Complementary segments will each have 2 winners:

Best In-line Booth (10 feet deep and any length)
Best Island Booth (20 x 20 or larger, aisles on 4 sides)

Best First-Time Exhibitor
Best Product Promo (All Fresh Ideas Showcase participants are automatically entered)
Best Sustainable Packaging (must have a shelf in the Fresh Ideas Showcase)*
*Showcase participants must notify IFPA if they want to be considered for Best Sustainable Packaging

How/When Will Booths Be Judged?

Exhibitors are automatically entered into all applicable categories. Judging will be conducted by a team of industry professionals during show hours Friday - Saturday. The winners will be announced on the show floor on Saturday.

Will I Know Who The Judges Are?

No, the judges will remain anonymous, meaning you could be observed one time or several times over the two-day period, and at any moment — so be ready! A panel of produce and floral buyers will review the Fresh Ideas Showcases along with our Best of Show Judges.

What Will I Win?

Winners in each category receive:

Show floor announcement
Press recognition
Framed award

Best of Show Winners will also win:

Move up 1 hour in next year’s booth selection schedule

GES credit toward your booth expenses like material handling, labor, and anything rented from GES (in-line winner receives $300, island winner receives $500)

Best Overall Product Promo & Best Sustainable Packaging Winners:

Free shelf in next year's Fresh Ideas Showcase

First-Time Exhibitor Winner:

(1)  All Access Pass to next year's The Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show

$500 GES credit
1st on the "move list" for exhibit space next year

Judging Criteria For Best of Show and First-Time Exhibitor 

Judges will be evaluating booths based on:

Booth Attraction

Graphics Hierarchy: Clearly communicates the company's identity, services and offerings from various visitor viewpoints.
Visitor Flow: Ensures easy entry and movement within the exhibit space.

Exhibit Design: Captures attention effectively, optimizes space layout, is well-lit and uniquely conveys the company's message.
Overall Appeal: Creates a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for attendees.

Products & Messaging

Display: Emphasize on colors, location and uniqueness.
Visual Appeal: Effectively draws the visitor's attention.

Benefit Messaging: Clearly communicates the product's benefits.
Integrated Brand Messaging: Seamlessly incorporates brand messaging into graphics, signage, themes and literature.

Staff Performance

Proactive Engagement: Measures how effectively staff engage attendees proactively, rather than waiting for them to approach.
Adequate Staffing: Evaluates if the staff count is suitable for the exhibit space and ensures visitors can easily find assistance.

Positions/Placement: Assess if staff are strategically positioned, ensuring all areas are covered, with some staff floating to maintain proper coverage, and whether they stand behind or next to counters.
Professionalism/Appearance: Ensures staff are professional and dressed appropriately for the audience and environment, with matching attire to help them stand out.
Non-verbal Communication: Observes if staff exhibit positive body language and avoid negative behaviors like crossing arms, sitting or being distracted by personal conversations or phone use.

Judging Criteria for Best Product Promo 

This contest is only available to Fresh Ideas Showcase participants.
Judges will evaluate:

Online product listing in the exhibitor directory (pre-show evaluation)
- Does it include a picture of the product?
- Was copy concise/to the point?
- Did the listing clearly state the benefits of the product?
- Did it tell attendees how to learn more about the product (e.g. visit booth or website)?
- Was it creative?

On-site display case
- Visual appeal
- Uniqueness/creativity
- Does is communicate the benefits?
- Does it invite attendees to the booth to learn more?

Promotion of the product in your booth
- Availability of product in booth
- Promotion of product in booth
- Preparedness of staff to talk about product
- Sampling of product
- Signage/messaging
- Integrated theme and messaging among all 3 sources (listing, shelf, and in the booth)

Judging Criteria for Best Sustainable Packaging

Judges will evaluate all criteria listed above for the Best Product Promo, and then a panel of produce and floral buyers will evaluate:

whether it communicates a sustainable message to consumers
interest/appeal and differentiation of package on a store shelf
whether the shelf has novel presentation that supports sales/consumption of the produce inside it
(Considerations could include, but are not limited to: unobstructed view of product; draws attention to product; infers greater value to product)
whether the item adds new profitable sales to the category