Germany’s Verseidag Indutex, a coating and composite technology specialist supplying the print trade, lifted the Judges Special Award at the inaugural Sign and Graphic Imaging (SGI) Awards, held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai last night, January 25.

 

The company, which has been participating in the SGI Middle East exhibition as an exhibitor since 1999, was awarded top honours in the Most Innovative SGI Exhibition Stand category, amid fierce competition from industry peers and fellow exhibitors.

 

“The standard of entry in all award categories was exceptionally high, especially for a first time event. However, the Judges Special Category of Most Innovative SGI Exhibition Stand received the most nominations. Verseidag Indutex won for their creative use of space and powerful product presentation,” said Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman, International Expo-Consults (IEC), Organiser of SGI 2011 Awards and SGI Middle East exhibition.

 

Launched in January 2010, the SGI Awards were established to reward excellence in creativity in the signage sector as well as to create a platform for the exchange of ideas, development of new mediums and growth of innovation in the regional sign and graphics industry.

 

A total of six categories were presented at the awards last night.

 

Most Innovative Marketing Campaign – Outdoor was presented to Liali Jewellery for their creative Gold Campaign rolled out across the UAE last year. The judges awarded Liali Jewellery for their creative and comprehensive use of outdoor media for a marketing campaign undertaken in 2010.

 

Multisystem Technology from Sharjah, UAE, was awarded Most Innovative Green Outdoor Application for what the judges saw as most environmentally friendly outdoor signage or graphics use.

 

Most Innovative Signage went to VGS Marketing Services GmBH of Germany for presenting a signage implementation that really wowed.

 

Most Innovative Wrap was awarded to Flex Europa (UAE) for an outdoor signage wrap that really pushed the boundaries of creativity. Its winning entry was for its double decker bus wrap campaign for the ‘No-touch Dettol dispenser’.

 

Finally, Richtech (China), also an exhibitor at the SGI Middle East show, was awarded for Most Innovative Digital Media for what the judges saw as a signage option that employed the very latest in modern technology, while also being mindful of environmental impacts.

 

A panel of industry leaders adjudicated the SGI Awards 2011. The judging committee included Chief Judge Dr Nicholas Hellmuth, Founder, President and Director of FLAAR and a well-respected authority on large-format printing and art forms; Wade Swormstedt, Publisher and Editor of Signs of the Times; Mona Al Khamis, Head of Advertising Section at the Dubai Municipality; and Najib Trad, Managing Director of Arabian Outdoor – UAE.

 

"Awards are a well deserved reward for innovative design and excellent printing technology. Advertising, signage and graphic display are so common that it's tough for any one display to hold our attention. So an award programme with ceremony is a clever way to recognise and draw attention to those leading the industry. Everyone wins, because everyone can see what is new and different, and that produces results. The SGI Awards 2011 encourage everyone to be more aware of what differentiates the average from the exceptional,” said Nicholas Hellmuth, Chief Judge, SGI Awards 2011.

 

AGFA Graphics was the Platinum Sponsor for the SGI Awards 2011. AGFA develops, produces and distributes an extensive range of analogue and digital imaging systems and IT solutions, mainly for the printing industry and the healthcare sector, as well as for specific industrial applications.

 

ME Printer was the Official Media Partner, Print Week was the Support Media Partner and MiddleEastEvents.com was the Online Media Partner.