Metstrade has opened entries for the 35th edition of the DAME Design Awards, marking three and a half decades of the programme’s focus on leisure marine equipment design. The awards programme also continues its practice of directing entry fee proceeds to a selected charitable organisation, with the 2026 beneficiary confirmed as the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM).
Since launching in 1991, the DAME Design Awards have assessed leisure marine equipment across criteria including styling, construction, functionality, fulfilment of purpose, ease of use, sustainability, originality, innovation, interoperability and price-to-performance.
Organised and funded by Metstrade, the competition is reviewed by a volunteer jury made up of multidisciplinary designers and end-user specialists. Entries range from entirely new product launches to updated versions of established equipment where design changes have been introduced over time. Assessment combines review of submitted materials with physical product evaluation.
Entries open
The DAME Design Awards are open to all Metstrade exhibitors until 18 September 2026. Submissions are completed through an online portal and accepted products must arrive in Amsterdam by 5 October 2026.
Judging begins with virtual review of entry materials and is followed by a two-day product assessment at RAI Amsterdam.
After assessment, the jury selects a shortlist of nominated products. Those entries then proceed to category awards and may also be considered for the discretionary Environmental Design Award. One category winner is selected as the DAME Design Awards Overall Winner.
Winners are due to be announced during the official opening of Metstrade on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.
All nominated products will appear in the DAME Design Awards Showcase in Hall 13 at Metstrade. Since 2013, almost 700 products have been presented in the showcase.
For 2026, nominated companies will also be eligible to attend sustainability training held on 16 November at RAI Amsterdam. The afternoon programme is run by the Marine Impact Lab and co-hosted by The Sustainability Toolbox and MarineShift 360.
Participants will focus on approaches for assessing, strengthening and communicating product sustainability characteristics. The programme includes workshops, specialist guidance and networking opportunities.
More details and entry submission information are available on the DAME Design Awards website.
Chosen charity for 2026
Each year, entry fees from DAME Design Awards submissions are donated in full to a charity selected by the Metstrade Exhibition Committee.
For 2026, the chosen recipient is the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM), a voluntary rescue organisation founded in 1824. Its stated mission is to save lives and prevent accidents at sea and on Dutch inland waterways. Trained volunteers provide services free of charge throughout the year.
The organisation operates 75 lifeboats from 45 stations across the Netherlands and is supported by more than 1,600 volunteers.
In 2025, KNRM responded to 2,178 emergency calls, assisted 3,592 people and rescued 161 animals. Its Help Assistance Centre also handled 1,038 requests for non-emergency assistance, while the Radio Medical Service provided 846 consultations to vessels at sea.
KNRM’s activities cover five areas: search and rescue, coastal assistance, beach surveillance, radio medical services and incident prevention.
The organisation receives no government funding and operates through donations, gifts, sponsorships and legacies.
Nominate chosen charity for 2027
Metstrade plans to introduce a suggestions box at the 2026 event so exhibitors and visitors can put forward charity nominations for future DAME Design Awards beneficiaries.
To date, more than €300,000 has been distributed to charities through DAME Design Awards entry fees. Further details are expected later in the year.
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