FIVE CATEGORIES & 28 Subcategories

Submission Deadline: October 30, 2025

Brand Marketing, Brand Marketing - Specialty, PAC IOU Design, Package Innovation Design, & Sustainable Package Design 

New categories highlighted in red.

BRAND MARKETING

11 subcategories

New Brand

1. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen

2. Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based

3. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys

Brand Extension

4. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen

5. Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based

 6. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys

Revitalized Brand

7. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen

8. Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based

9. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys

Own Brand (New, Extension, Revitalized)

10. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen

and Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based

11. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys

Brand Marketing Entry Form Available Soon

BRAND MARKETING - SPECIALTY

11 subcategories

Beauty

Cosmetics, personal care, hair care

Connected Pack

Consumer engagement/brand experience facilitated through the combination of design & digital connectivity (QR Codes, Navilens, Zappar or other mobile technology)

Customization & Personalization

Brand experience using packaging to connect with consumers on a personal level i.e. variable/unique pack designs, localized packaging, target/community marketing via packaging, digital printing & embellishments

Entertainment

Album, CD, DVD, gaming

Fresh

Produce (fruit & vegetables)

Health & Wellness

Over-the-counter pharmaceutical, nutrition, organics, naturals, meatless

Limited Edition

One-time items, promotional

Limited Edition - Holiday

Seasonal items related to holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.)

Limited Edition - Sports

Sports related one-time, seasonal, promotional

Short Run - Media/Influencer Kits

Items related to limited short runs, pilots, media influencer kits

Wine & Spirits

Spirits, wine (including non-alcoholic)

Brand Marketing - Specialty Entry Form Available Soon

PAC IOU DESIGN

2 subcategories

Inclusive Design

A brand lead approach where any of the following (individual or group) was involved: abilities, ages, disabilities, learning styles, life experiences, neurodiversity, races/ethnicities, religion, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and any other difference.

Universal Design

A package innovation lead approach designed for: equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort and size and space for approach and use.

PAC IOU Design Entry Form Available Soon

PACKAGE INNOVATION DESIGN

2 subcategories

Label

Innovative label design considering: substrate choices, use of certified materials, sustainable inks and adhesives, print production operational and manufacturing efficiencies, enhanced branding and shelf appeal.

Technical (Includes E-Commerce)

Packaging that features the manufacturing complexity, printing and other applications, connected attributes, & structural design: corrugated containers, flexible packages, glass, labels, metal, paperboard packaging, rigid/semi-rigid containers, transportation protection, combination of any of the above containers.

AND/OR 

Packaging designed for the direct-to-consumer experience from e-commerce site.
All packaged components which could include the inner elements, outer shippers, mailers, envelopes, shipping materials, etc.

Package Innovation Design Entry Form Available Soon

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGE DESIGN

2 subcategories

Carbon Reduction

Packaging that is designed to have a lower carbon footprint supported by LCA data or PIP360 scores and featuring material optimization, use of certified materials, operational and manufacturing efficiencies: corrugated containers, flexible packages, glass, labels, metal, paperboard packaging, rigid/semi-rigid containers, transportation protection, combination of any of the above containers.

Package Circularity

Packaging that is designed for circularity featuring reduction, reuse, recycled content , recyclability &, compostability: corrugated containers, flexible packages, glass, labels, metal, paperboard packaging, rigid/semi-rigid containers, transportation protection, combination of any of the above containers.

Sustainable Package Design Entry Form Available Soon