Smart Label: more than 150 prizes assigned in the last three editions

MILAN – A domotic door handle that welcomes guests and amazes them on arrival with easily recognisable, customisable and technologically advanced functions, presenting an interface that is both physical and cognitive.

Tables designed to revolutionise the art of laying tableware, even in the most elegant kitchens.

A suspended minibar among the finest in the world. Smart decanters that employ revolutionary technologies to enhance bouquet and aroma.

New generation coffee capsules with an oxygen barrier, designed to maintain the organoleptic properties of coffee, customisable and compatible with the most widespread brands.

And then we have universal printing systems for Plug & Play food systems that enable food products to be creatively manufactured according to custom requirements.

These are just some of the “intelligent” solutions expressed by the world of hospitality businesses that have received the SMART Label award over the years, an honour dedicated to innovation in the field of professional hospitality promoted by the Host – Milan fair, in collaboration with POLI.design and sponsored by ADI, the Association for Industrial Design.

An award venue that returns with a new edition addressed to all the companies registered in HostMilano 2019, a world leading event in the hotel industry, which will present the latest news in terms of equipment, raw materials, equipment and semi-finished products from Friday 18 to Tuesday 22 October 2019 at Fiera Milano, Rho.

Indeed, HostMilano has become an unmissable two-year event for the discovery of new useful items for a successful hospitality business: from raw materials to semi-finished products, machinery, equipment, furniture and tableware.

At the same time, attendees will be able to enjoy in-depth previews of future trends. And it is precisely the ability to capture future trends that is rewarded with SMART Label, an award that highlights and confirms the extreme vitality of a sector capable of continuously renewing itself, constantly improving and personalising its offer.

497 nominations have been collected in the last three editions, 156 companies have been honoured with the SMART Label and more than 20 special SMART Label Innovation awards to as many products capable of driving significant changes in the sectors of reference of many companies.

“The SMART Label numbers indicate how much this award has become a point of reference for identifying the best ‘smart’ solutions and products resulting from advanced scientific, technological and production processes with appreciable advantages for increasing quality of life” – claims Matteo Ingaramo, Director of POLI.design – “I believe that awards such as this, which arise from an in-depth collaboration between institutions such as POLI.design and Fiera Milano, are essential to stimulate and enhance innovative ideas capable of using technology in an advanced and useful manner, involving the appreciation of users and society . This is a positive vision that positions this initiative as the leading technological and commercial offer in the hospitality sector on a global scale“.

For 2019, SMART Label in 2019 envisages three award categories: Smart Label for products characterised by with innovative content –

Innovation Smart Label for products with a high innovation content, disruptive solutions and which overcome consolidated trends in the sector and Green Smart Label for products with a high level of innovation and distinctive characteristics in terms of energy efficiency, environmental compatibility and eco-sustainability industry trends. Two Special Mention categories have also been confirmed, they are destined for products that stand out in the application of new materials that contribute to energy saving, energy recovery or for the introduction of digital connections between different products in an Internet of Things perspective aimed at improving interaction and use of individual products. The winning entries will be awarded the “Label“, a truly distinctive plaque that will put them in the spotlight at Host 2019 and at any future promotional venues, and will enrol them in the Index of “Smart Products” at Host Milano 2019, where a dedicated exhibition and a specially designed itinerary will further raise the visibility of these SMART and innovative developments.

How to enter and judging

Until April 29th 2019, the companies registered for Host Milano 2019 may candidate their own product or project under development, according to the procedures indicated on the website www.polidesign.net, by means of a dedicated digital template (no other forms of application will be accepted). Only one entry per company will be accepted.

The complete event rules are available at www.host.fieramilano.it and www.polidesign.net.

The commission’s assessment criteria

The Commission will be composed of 5 members, selected among teachers, professionals and international experts, with proven experience or qualifications in the fields of Design, Hospitality and Energy Saving. The Commission will assess the candidate products/services/projects on the basis of the following fundamental elements: the functional efficiency of the product or service, the effectiveness of the product’s performance or the usability of the service, the degree of innovation of the usage approach and technologies, and the advantages for users.