NEW YORK—Ten exhibitors were honored with Editors’ Choice Awards during the Opening Ceremonies of the 92nd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), Sunday, November 11, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This year, the awards program was expanded to include a green equivalent to each of the competition’s five traditional categories of décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology. From the 10 winners, the Kenneth F. Hine “Best of Show” Award was selected.
The 2007 IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award winners are:
Kenneth F. Hine “Best of Show”—INNCOM International (Niantic, Conn.) for the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat with ecoMODE, a device that allows guests to opt into the hotel’s conservation program with the touch of a button, instantly triggering the e4’s energy-saving mode and activating participation in reduced towel and linen washing.
Décor—Eurotrend Furniture LLC (New York, N.Y.) for RING, the first chair for the industry with two independent wood shells that create extreme comfort by moving autonomously.
Restaurant—Eastern Silver Tabletop Manufacturing Co. (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for the Collapsible Chafer, a new stackable and collapsible chafer that combines four to six chafers into one stack and store bin without compromising high end presentation.
Technology—eMenuBoard Systems LLC (Forest Hills, N.Y.) for eMenuBoard, a touch-screen menu placed in front of a restaurant that allows them to better promote their services in an interactive way.
Essentials—Protect-A-Bed (Glenview, Ill.) for AllerZip, a complete mattress encasement that is waterproof, breathable and allergen and mite proof.
Luxury—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (Winchester, Va.) for the Deluxe Compact Housekeeping Cart, a revolutionary cart which includes upgraded ball bearing wheels for quiet maneuvering, mahogany-finished panels to appeal to high-end properties and upgraded hasp locks.
Green Product Categories
Green Décor—Milliken Hospitality Carpet (LaGrange, GA) for Lucerne Modular Carpet, which is certified by Green Label Plus for indoor air quality, includes an adhesive-free installation system, offers a No Carpet to Landfill pledge and is produced with alternative energy.
Green Restaurant—FOLD-PAK (Scottsdale, Ariz.) for BioPlus Earth, a paperboard takeout container that is made from 100 percent recycled paper and is grease and leak resistant.
Green Technology—INNCOM International (Niantic, Conn.) for the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat with ecoMODE, a device that allows guests to opt into the hotel’s conservation program with the touch of a button, instantly triggering the e4’s energy-saving mode and activating participation in reduced towel and linen washing.
Green Essentials—Zurn Plumbing Products Group (Pittsburgh, Penn.) for the Zurn EcoVantage Pint Urinal System, an innovative new system that features ultra low water consumption, the latest in sensory technology and high quality vitreous china.
Green Luxury—Neoteric Home Design (Miami) for the Bora Bora Bed, a canopied daybed created with VirotmFiber handwoven over a rust-free recycled aluminum base.
“The Editors’ Choice Awards serve as an opportunity for exhibitors to position their new products in the marketplace as the must-have new products of the year,” says Christian Falkenberg, show manager. “This year’s contest was extremely competitive, demonstrating the quality and quantity of new products launched at the IH/M&RS.”
Editors from leading hospitality trade publications reviewed nearly 150 submissions of cutting-edge, new products, and selected winners based on innovative product design, how a product answers a particular industry need, creative use of material or construction, and development or use of a new technology.
Judges for the 12th annual IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Awards were: Michael Birchenall, Foodservice Monthly; Janice Cha, Foodservice Equipment & Reports; Glenn Hasek, Green Lodging News; Philip Hayward, Lodging; Adam Kirby, Hotels; Fred Klashman, Total Food Service; Dennis Nessler, Hotel Business; Michael Oshman, Green Restaurant Assn.; Stephanie Ricca, Hotel & Motel Management; and Ed Watkins, Lodging Hospitality.
The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Assn.; and is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM), a dmg world media company.
Go to IH/M&RS.
