Congratulations! Your product(s) has recently been recognised for its exceptional quality in the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. Winning an award is a significant achievement that can boost your brand's reputation and sales. Now, it's time to make the most of this recognition. Here are some top tips on how to maximize your award win:

1. Add the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards logo to your winning product packaging
   One of the most effective ways to highlight your award is by incorporating the winner's logo on your product packaging. This not only adds credibility but also catches the eye of potential customers while they're browsing the shelves.
   
   DOWNLOAD THE IQFDA LOGO USAGE GUIDELINES HERE
   
   Please send all artwork for approval to our Content and Marketing Manager: ella.jackson@emap.com
   
   
2. Dress Up Your Exhibition Stand
   If you participate in trade shows or exhibitions, be sure to prominently display your award logo on your stand. This can attract more visitors and set you apart from competitors, emphasising your product's quality.
   
   
3. Share the News on Social Media
   Leverage the power of social media to spread the word about your award by creating visually appealing posts featuring the award logo, along with a caption expressing gratitude to your customers and team. Don't forget to tag the Irish Qs social media accounts when posting and we will share them with our audience, giving you maximum exposure! 
   
   
4. Craft a Winning Press Release
   Draft a compelling press release announcing your award win. Send it to local, national, and industry-specific media outlets. Make sure to highlight what makes your product stand out and include high-quality images to accompany the story.
   
   DOWNLOAD THE IQFDA PRESS RELEASE TEMPLATE HERE
   
   
5. Update Your Website
   Update your website with the news of your award. Create a dedicated page or banner prominently featuring the award logo and a brief description of your achievement. This will help reinforce your brand's credibility for online visitors. 
   
   
6. Engage with Your Retail Partners
   Inform your retail partners about your award win and provide them with materials like new imagery featuring the logo for use on their website, posters or shelf talkers featuring the award logo. This can encourage in-store promotion and increase product visibility. 
   
   
7. Celebrate with Your Team
   Recognise and celebrate the hard work of your team members who contributed to your award-winning product. A team celebration fosters morale and motivation, setting the stage for future successes.
   
   
8. Collaborate with Influencers
   Partner with relevant influencers or bloggers in your industry to create content around your award-winning product. Their endorsement can reach a broader audience and provide valuable third-party validation.
   
   
9. Offer Promotions
   Consider running limited-time promotions or discounts to celebrate your award win - this can entice new customers to try your product and existing ones to stock up. If you have an e-commerce website, consider creating a unique discount code in honour of your win, and share this with your social media followers. 
   
   
10. Plan for the Future
    Use this award win as a stepping stone for further success. Continuously strive for improvement in product quality and innovation, so you can maintain your reputation as an industry leader. Remember, an award win is not just a momentary recognition; it's an opportunity to enhance your brand's reputation and reach new heights. 
    
    Keep your eyes peeled for your judges' feedback! We provide all entrants with detailed notes from our judging panel that you can share with your audience, and also use to aid product development.
    
    

By following these tips and creatively promoting your achievement, you can maximize the impact of your Irish Quality Food and Drink Award win and continue to thrive in the competitive food and beverage industry.

If you entered but didn't win an award this year, don't worry! The standard was exceptionally high this year so you should still be proud of yourself for creating a product that you felt was strong enough to be considered. Keep your eyes peeled over the coming weeks because all entrants receive detailed feedback from our esteemed panel of judges that can aid in product development. Who knows, maybe that's all you need to do to win big next year!