mBLAST's online awards management solution powers Innovations awards program end to end

Entries for the 2009 International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards will be accepted today through September 24, 2008, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced today. This annual competition honors outstanding design and engineering in 34 consumer electronics product categories. The 2009 Best of Innovations honorees will be announced at the New York Press Preview on November 11, 2008 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and showcased at the 2009 International CES, January 8-11, 2009.

"We have instituted new judging criteria this year so that Best of Innovations provides an even higher standard of excellence. Once again, CEA's Innovations Awards will highlight the most cutting edge technological breakthroughs in the consumer electronics industry," said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of conferences and events, CEA. "We are continually impressed with the high quality of product submissions we receive for this highly competitive and popular program."

The awards are sponsored by CEA, the producer of the International CES, and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community, and advocacy.

"The Innovations Design and Engineering Awards competition brings well-deserved recognition to cutting-edge improvements in aesthetics, function, and user-value in consumer electronics," said Michelle Berryman, president, IDSA. "The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is proud to offer its continued endorsement and support of this showcase of outstanding industrial design."

Now in its 32nd year, the Innovations Awards program gives product developers and manufacturers an opportunity to be judged by a preeminent panel of engineers, independent designers, and journalists. Honored products will be featured in the Innovations Showcase at the Sands/Venetian at the 2009 International CES.

CEA will again use a time-saving entry portal collaboration system, powered by mBLAST, that allows co-workers submitting nominations to combine their respective submissions and pre-populate basic nominee information.

Media and analysts will also see this year's Innovations Design and Engineering showcase honorees during CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of CES, featuring dozens of tabletop product demonstrations and industry networking. CES Unveiled runs from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, at the Sands/Venetian. Credentialed media, analysts, and bloggers will be permitted to attend this exclusive sponsored event.

Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Awards are open to all companies, regardless of CES exhibitor status. To submit products for Innovations 2009, review last year's winners, or register for the show, log onto www.CESweb.org/innovations.

Follow the 2009 International CES on Twitter at http://twitter.com/2009CES and visit the International CES Page on Facebook.

About mBLAST
mBLAST is the leader in Media and Marketing Relationship Management (MMRM), providing Web-based solutions to automate the exchange of information and strengthen the relationships between corporate marketing departments, the PR firms that represent them, and the industry Influencers such as Publications, Analyst Firms, Events / Awards Organizers, Associations, Bloggers, freelance journalists, and others. mBLAST has more than 70 modules and users in more than 5,000 organizations across more than 60 countries. To learn more, visit www.mblast.com.