What are the Tchotchke Awards?

The Tchotchke Awards is an informal and fun networking event taking place during the DIA Annual conference in June 2024.  

What is the purpose of the Tchotchke Awards?  

1. Networking 
2. Generate more exposure for the vendors 
3. Recognition and appreciation of the drug development vendor ecosystem, upon which drug development depends!
4. Fun!

This is the third year in a row and each year it gets a bit more organized.  Participants have found that this activity fosters more meaningful conversations with the vendors and leads to a greater depth of understanding about the drug development vendor ecosystem as a whole, as represented by the Exhibit Hall.  

How are the Judges selected?

There is no selection, all judges are volunteers.  Any attendee of DIA can be a judge!  But if a judge is also an exhibiting vendor they have the recuse themselves from voting for their own Tchotchkes.  We aim for around 10 judges altogether.

What are the “Awards”?

The award categories are listed below.  There is no actual “prize” per se.  The “award” is simply appreciation and recognition of all the hard work on the part of the vendors.  

How do we know if we won? 

Results will be posted here hopefully by the end of July 2024.  Watch out for posts on Linkedin.  You can also get in touch with the organizers, Sheila Mahoney, sheila@lifescihub.com, or Denise McNerney, denise.mcnerney@glsa7.com. 

Tchotchke Awards Categories

1. Most Useful/Practical
2. Most On Brand
3. Most eco-minded
4. Tchotchke that made you smile/laugh
5. Most coveted by other adults
6. Most likely to delight the kids
7. Best tchotchke I didn’t know I wanted/needed
8. Best Food/drink item
9. Biggest Wow Factor
10. Best Stress Buster
11. Most Unique
12. Judge’s pick (favorite)
13. Head scratcher (Huh?? What is this?  Requires explanation)
14. Thoughts on the Exhibit Hall (Not an actual award- Judge’s observations of interesting vendors, products and services, vendor ecosystem trends, etc.)