The 2026 QCS Innovation Award

The QCS Innovation Award honors outstanding new products, groundbreaking solutions, and forward-thinking advancements introduced by approved QCS Supply Partners.

Innovation Award Description and Criteria

The QCS Innovation Award recognizes supply partners who introduce creative, relevant, and impactful innovations that benefit QCS members. These innovations may include new products, packaging advancements, technology upgrades, operational improvements, cost-saving solutions, or any new idea that adds meaningful value to our membership.

Finalists selected to present will showcase their innovations live during the QCS Innovation Showcase: Quick Pitch Competition, one of the most anticipated sessions at the QCS Annual Conference. This interactive, high-energy session allows QCS members to “invest” QCS play cash in the innovations they believe will have the greatest impact.

The innovation with the highest total investment is crowned the winner of the QCS Innovation Award.

Eligibility Requirements

The QCS Innovation Award is open to current, approved QCS Supply Partners. Each submission must highlight a new product, innovation, or groundbreaking solution that provides measurable value to QCS members. Supply partners may be offered one speaking slot, with selections based on the relevance, benefit, and overall innovation of the submission. There is no cost to enter or to present at the Innovation Showcase.

Entry Deadline

July 20, 2026, at 11 a.m. Central

Entry Fees

There is no entry fee to enter the Innovation Session/Award.

Presentation Guidelines

Presentations should be fun, engaging, and creative. Supply partners are encouraged to bring props, dress in themed attire, or incorporate interactive elements to help bring their innovation to life and stand out to members. Any slides used must be concise and limited to no more than three slides. Each presenter will receive a presentation time slot of 7-10 minutes.

How to Enter

To enter the QCS Innovation Award, complete the online submission form and provide a clear overview of your innovation. Your entry must include a 250-word description of the innovation as well as responses to the required fields outlined below. Be sure to explain how your innovation benefits QCS members and describe your plan for delivering an engaging, attention-getting presentation during the Innovation Showcase: Quick Pitch Competition. All submissions must be completed online by August 5, 2026.

Submissions

You will need to submit one online form per entry by completing the form below. All fields listed below that are marked with * are required.

Contact Information

Company *

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Country *

Postal Code *

Phone *

Entry Information

Title of Innovation/Product * Brief Description *
(max. 250 words) Benefits to QCS Members *
(max. 1,000 characters)

Describe how this innovation supports or enhances member operations.

Presentation Approach *
(max. 1,000 characters)

Explain how you plan to present the innovation in a fun, creative, attention-getting way during the live session.

Submit Entry

Some of the required fields were left blank. Please complete all required fields and try again.

Innovation Award Competition Judging

Judging takes place live at the QCS Annual Conference during the Innovation Showcase: Quick Pitch Competition. QCS members in the audience receive “QCS Cash” to invest in their favorite innovations. The company that receives the highest total investment wins the QCS Innovation Award.

The 2026 live competition will take place Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Plano, Texas.