EAGLE, ID– One lucky entrant in the Idaho Potato Commission’s 2019 retail display competition will be saying “aloha” to a six-night/seven-day stay at Hawaii’s Royal Lahaina Resort, the grand prize for the annual contest’s sweepstakes drawing.
Overlooking sparkling Kaanapali Beach on the valley isle of Maui, the resort features nightly live Hawaiian entertainment, an oceanfront luau, three swimming pools, 11 tennis courts and more. The winning trip for two will include round trip airfare, six nights/seven days’ ocean view accommodations, room taxes and $2,500 in cash for an approximate total value of $7,400. In the aloha spirit, a second Maui vacation package will be awarded to the sweepstakes winner’s category manager too. Altogether, the 28th annual retail display contest will give out more than $150,000 in cash and prizes.
In addition to being part of the random sweepstakes drawing, everyone who enters the contest will receive a 1.5-liter Toastmaster Air Fryer, perfect for whipping up sizzling hot Idaho fries without excess oil. The removable basket, adjustable heating control, 30-minute timer and auto shut-off make this 1,000-watt fryer a cinch for anyone to use.
Once again, HORMEL® Bacon Toppings is partnering with the IPC for the display contest, giving entrants more options for jazzing up Idaho® spuds with classic smoky flavor.
“Bacon and Idaho® potatoes are a naturally great-tasting combo,” says HORMEL® Bacon Toppings brand manager Corrine Hjelmen. “The many creative displays in the contest every year are a perfect way to showcase this dynamic duo for shoppers and boost sales.”
Retailers with smaller displays shouldn’t hesitate to enter the contest, which will run from Jan. 14 through March 15, 2019, because these displays have the same chance of winning as larger displays do.
“Creativity—not size—is the key to making a show-stopping display,” says IPC marketing manager Jamie Bowen. “Every year we get tons of great entries that are small but mighty, and they highlight Idaho® potatoes in a way that customers really respond to. These smaller displays can help increase potato sales just as much as the larger, more elaborate displays.”
To enter the 2019 retail display contest, just create a sales-driving product display that incorporates fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both) with a clear label showing the Idaho® name and the Grown in Idaho® seal, a clearly marked Idaho®dehydrated potato product, and any variety of HORMEL® Bacon Toppings; potato products from other states cannot be included.
You must also include IPC 2019 special themed point-of-sale materials: two double-sided Potato Lover’s Month logo display signs, one large and two small double-sided signs with appetizing photos, and two inflatable Mylar™ IPC-branded balloons. You can find clip art and recipes on the IPC website at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.
Retailers will compete with other same-size stores in one of three categories: 1-5 cash registers, 6-9 cash registers, or 10-plus cash registers. Within each store category, entrants are eligible to win these prizes:
- 1st place – $1,500
- 2nd place — $1,000
- 3rd place — $750
- 4th place — $500
- 5th place — $250
- Honorable Mention — $100 (100 selected from remaining entries)
In addition, the Category Manager Match Program will award equivalent prizes to corporate category managers for stores that qualify for a 1st through 5th place prize.
IPC Retail Display Contest Details
Here’s how to enter the IPC Potato Lover’s Month 2019 Retail Display Contest:
1. Using fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both), an Idaho® dehydrated potato product, and HORMEL® Real Bacon Toppings, develop an eye-catching display following the contest rules (available at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail).
2. Put up the display in your store’s produce section for at least one week between Jan. 14 and March 15, 2019.
3. Submit a photo (digital preferred) of the display and an entry form (available at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail) to the IPC so that it’s received no later than March 15, 2019. Top winners will be notified by May 1, 2019, and all winners will be posted by May 20, 2019, on www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.
All entries will be judged on a point system based on creativity of the display, incorporation of HORMEL® Bacon Toppings, saleability of the display, and Potato Lover’s Month signage.
About The Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the IPC is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho® ” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation, and rich volcanic soil give Idaho®potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, which differentiates them from potatoes grown in other states.
