Imagine if your local car dealership started an awards show. "And now the award for the best new car we have on the lot."

Twenty years in the publishing market seeing the wall between editorial and sales.

There are just too many conflicts of interest. There is no independent editorial review - car industry has independent magazines like Car and Driver. Even model railroading has Model Railroader Magazine and the National Model Railroad Association. Ad sales and editorial parts of the publications kept separate.

At some publications sales guys aren't even allowed on the editorial floor.

I'd suggest making it biennial - instead of six machines, there would be the possibility of 10 - 12. Cut out the media/content creator stuff. No one creates it to win awards and it's not part of the industry, it is commenting/reporting/opinionating on the industry. The Oscars don't include media awards. Then you wouldn't have conflicts of interest involved.

BTW - How come no award for Distributors? Distributors and service are a big part of the industry. That and parts suppliers.