Kitchen Innovations Application

All interested exhibitors are invited to apply by December 11, 2024.

KI

Do you have questions about participating in Kitchen Innovations or the application process? Click here to book a 15-minute appointment with the Show team to learn more.

The Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards celebrate forward-thinking, cutting-edge equipment that’s making a significant impact on the foodservice industry. These awards are judged by an independent, expert-led panel of judges from a variety of backgrounds. The KI Awards recognize a broad range of technological achievement. Successful submissions include both new technologies as well as enhancements to existing technologies... whatever the implementation, judges are seeking innovations that elevate automation, efficiency, safety and sustainability within foodservice.

Click here to view the wide range of innovations awarded in 2024.

Benefits of Participation

KI Showroom
The Kitchen Innovations Showroom is THE destination for dealer & distributor attendees. Each awardee has a 10x10 space to spotlight their innovation. Live demos offer attendees an intimate experience in which to learn more about the solutions presented by each of the peer-reviewed, standout products at the Show.

Redesigned for the 2024 Show, the Showroom features a sleek, hard-wall design with bright graphics and coveted lounge space for attendees. This turnkey space includes electricity & plumbing to demonstrate the innovation, and material handling to move the innovation into the booth. Each booth includes a countertop and comes fully carpeted.

Benefits of Participation

KI Promotions
Kitchen Innovations awardees benefit from significant promotions in advance of the Show, and onsite attention. The press release announcement is sent in March, followed by promotions to Show attendees in email and social media. Onsite, KI gets a mention at the Show’s press briefing and media tours. Click here for more detail on press attention in 2024.

In addition to email and social promotions, attendees are introduced to KI onsite with a dedicated education session and through an equipment professionals meetup.

Participation Fees

If selected, the $15,500 KI participation fee includes the following benefits:

Inclusion in press release announcement with significant media coverage leading up to, and during the Show.
Promotion to Show attendees through our website, emails, social media, and online planner/mobile app.
Turnkey exhibit space in the KI Showroom, the primary Show floor destination for dealer & distributor attendees.
Booth space includes installation and dismantling of a booth structure, carpet, and utilities (electricity and plumbing) needed to demonstrate the innovation.
Material handling for the innovation to and from Show booth to the KI booth. Limited food storage, including frozen and refrigerated storage, specifically for KI Showroom exhibitors.
Five additional exhibitor badges.
Lead retrieval scanner for lead capture use in the KI booth.
Use of the 2025 Kitchen Innovations logo with innovation promotions for the life of the product.

Note: KI Award recipients selected must maintain their separate booth space at the National Restaurant Show and agree to staff both booth locations.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is December 11, 2024, don't wait, apply today.

Apply Now

Check out the newly redesigned KI Showroom and hear from a few 2024 Awardees about the impact of their experience.

Application Process

Note: Products must be new from within 24 months of, and available for sale at the 2025 National Restaurant Show to qualify.

Applicants are asked to address the following in detail:

Click here to view the full list of application questions and advice directly from the judges on how to specifically address them.
In addition to written answers, the following resources are required:
- A video demonstration of the innovation.
- Two operator references to verify information and benefits.
- Spec sheet for the equipment.
- Marketing materials including company logo, high resolution product images, and a product brochure.
Complete applications and a $1,500 deposit are due by Wednesday, December 11th.
- The $1,500 deposit will be fully refunded if the application is not accepted.
The third party expert panel of judges deliberates through January 2025 to early March and applicants will be notified of their final decision by mid-February.

Deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Apply Now

Kitchen Innovation Application Guide

For a step by step guide on how best to complete your application, click here

View the full list of application questions.
Review question specific advice from the panel of judges on what makes a successful submission.
“Before You Begin” highlights a few significant preparations to make before starting your application, ensuring all resources are in hand when you are ready to submit.

Click here to view the full Rules & Regulations of the Kitchen Innovations Award Program.

Questions about the KI Awards or application process? Please contact your Sales Representative or email us at [email protected].

Kitchen Innovation Award Judges

The KI Awards program is judged by a panel of respected third-party experts from across foodservice representing some of the industry’s best-known brands and organizations.