Innovation Awards

ESX’s Innovation Awards distinguish innovation and excellence in the industry — and identify the next-gen products and services that will offer significant opportunity for growth. Companies that serve the electronic security and life safety industry are encouraged to enter products/services that benefit end users’ experience and those that benefit dealers, integrators, or monitoring companies’ top line revenues and bottom line results. To submit an entry for the 2021 ESX Innovation Awards, click here.

Submit an Entry

2020 Award Winners

Click here to view the ESX 2020 Innovation Awards winners.

Important Dates

April 12, 2021: Submission deadline for entries

Week of May 3, 2021: Innovation Award Category winners announced, TechVision finalists announced

New! June 7-8, 2021: TechVision virtual judging

At ESX 2021: TechVision Winner and Runner up will be announced at the Opening Keynote. People's Choice Award winner announced during the Thursday night reception

AWARDS

The 2021 ESX Innovation Awards and TechVision Challenge are comprised of three award types:

Innovation Awards, Best in Category: A panel of experts will review and select the best from each of the 14 product/service categories
TechVision Challenge, Best in Show: A panel of experts will review the Best in Category winners and select the top-rated product or service that demonstrates exemplary results, benefits, and innovation
TechVision Challenge, Runner Up
People’s Choice Award: The ESX community will have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favorite product or service from the Best in Category winners

Entry Information

Entry Qualifications

To be considered for the Innovation Awards, the product or service entered must fit within one of the official award categories. The product or service entered must be either new or field tested and made available to the market after January 1, 2019 and prior to ESX 2021. If you are an ESX 2021 exhibitor, one sample of your award-winning product must be available for display in the ESX Innovation Awards Showcase at ESX 2021, June 15-18 in Louisville, Kentucky. Each company is solely responsible for the submittal process and presentation materials.

Award Categories

Access Control/ID Systems

Controllers - Stand-alone, Networked or Appliance Based Systems
Card Printers/ID Badging Systems
Cards & Credentials - Biometrics, Smartcards, Wiegand, RFID, Magnetic Stripe, Bar Code, etc.
Electronic/Mechanical Locks
Entry Control Solutions/Physical Barriers
Gate/Door Operators
Hosted/Managed Access Systems
Readers/Keypads
Telephone Entry Control/Intercom
Visitor Management Solutions

Cabling Products and Accessories

Cable & Structured Wiring
Cable & Wiring Accessories - Connectors, Wiring Harnesses, Terminals

Commercial Automation, Control Systems & Networking

Building Automation Software /Systems
Digital Signage
HVAC Control/Energy Management
IT/Networking
Lighting Control Systems
PBX & VoIP, Cloud Based Phone Systems
Physical Security Information Management (PSIM)

Cyber Security

Cyber Security Solutions

Dealer Services

Business Operations
Compliance Software/Service
Financial Software
Fleet Tracking
Marketing Support Services

Digital Health/Well-Being Systems

PERS
Activity Sensing/Medicine Management
Connected Fitness
Mobile Tracking/mPERS

Fire/Life Safety

Cellular/Radio Communicators
Controllers & Control Panels - Analog, Addressable, Conventional systems
Detection Appliances - Smoke/Heat/Gas Detection Devices
Emergency Communications/Voice Evacuation Systems
Notification Appliances - Annunciators, Strobes & Audible Devices

Installation/Service Tools

Productivity Mobile Applications
Tools/Testers

Intrusion Systems

Cellular/Radio Communicators
Controllers & Control Panels
Detection Sensors - Annunciators, Strobes & Audible devices
DIY Security
Notification Appliances - Motion, Contacts, Environmental
Outdoor Detection

Mobile Apps for Consumers

Commercial App for Security/Life Safety Systems
Residential App for Security/Life Safety Systems
Residential App for Life Style

Monitoring (Central Station)

Alarm Monitoring for End User
Enhanced/Verified Monitoring
Interactive Services for End User
GPS/Mobile Tracking
Managed Access
Managed Video
Dealer App
Receiver/Hardware
Software

Smart Home – Electronics, Control Systems & Networking

Architectural Speakers
Audio/Video Receivers
Electronic Door Locks/Garage Door Controls
Energy Management Control /Systems
Home Automation/Home Control Systems
IT/Networking
Lighting Control Systems
Multi-Room/Distributed Audio Systems
Power Management Systems
Structure Cabling Systems & A/V Wire
TV's/Projectors/Screens
Internet of Things (IoT) Device

Specialty Products & Services

Power Supplies & Batteries
Solar
Surge Protection
Drones
Robots
Other

Video Surveillance

Megapixel/HD Cameras
Analog Cameras
Digital Recording & Network Storage
Hosted & Managed Video Systems (VSaaS)
Housings, Enclosures, Mounts
IP Cameras
Lenses
Monitors
Multiplexers, Scanners, Encoders & Switching Systems
Video Analytics
Video Management Software

Entry Fees

ESX Exhibiting/Sponsoring Company

$895 for first product or service
$595 for any additional product or service

Non-Exhibiting/Sponsoring Company

$1,395 for first product or service
$1,095 for any additional product or service

Entry Benefits

Each 2021 entrant will receive:

A listing in the digital 2021 ESX Conference Preview
Exposure on the ESX website
An official Innovation Award Entrant tabletop sign for display at ESX booth
All category winners will be nominated for the TechVision Challenge and up to 10 companies will be selected to compete. This is a live “Shark Tank” style competition. Each company will present before a panel of “industry shares” who will determine the “Best of Show” product or service. Note: Being chosen as an Innovation Award Category Winner does NOT guarantee entry into the TechVision Challenge as a finalist for Best in Show.

Judging

Each product or service will be judged on the following:

Features and functions
Innovation
End user experience

Revenue growth potential
Impact on company value/efficiencies
Compliance with regulations

All entries are judged by members of the ESX Award Jury, representing leading professionals and experts in the electronic security and life safety industry. The Jury scores entries on a performance scale and winning entries are recognized and awarded based on the combined scoring of the Jury.

All decisions are final. By submitting a product or service to the 2021 ESX Innovation Awards, your entry will be submitted for the chance to win up to three awards – Best in Category, TechVision Best in Show, and/or People’s Choice Award.

Award Benefits

Innovation Award Category winners will:

Receive a trophy
Be featured in a two-page spread in a summer 2021 edition of a prominent channel publication
Be announced in an official ESX Innovation Awards press release to trade media
New! Winners will be promoted in the Expo Hall driving attendee traffic to their booths to learn more about the winning product
Be considered to compete in ESX’s 2021 TechVision Challenge
Be included to compete in ESX’s 2021 People’s Choice Award

TechVision Challenge Winner and Runner up will:

Be awarded a trophy
Be featured in a two-page spread in a summer 2021 edition of a prominent channel publication
Be announced in an official ESX Innovation Awards press release to trade media
New! Winners will be promoted in the Expo Hall driving attendee traffic to their booths to learn more about the winning product
Be included to compete in ESX’s 2021 People’s Choice Award