The Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in Consumer Electronics

SPOT LLC received the prestigious 2008 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award for its SPOT Satellite Messenger that was named this year’s winner of the Consumer Electronics category. The Wall Street Journal received more than 700 entries to be considered for the Innovation Awards. A leading Journal editor narrowed the field down to the 162 that were scored by the judges. Judges looked for innovations that broke new ground in their field and demonstrated a measurable impact. Only four percent of the entries received the final award in 19 different categories. A full list of this year’s winners can be viewed at www.WSJ.com/Reports

Hundreds of products undergo rigorous field testing each year and are judged on criteria including significance of innovation, the quality of the design and the value it brings to hunters. Only the most innovative and best-designed products in their class are selected.
SPOT Satellite Messenger™ was awarded the Best of the Best Award in the hunting technology category for 2008.

Hundreds of new products every year are put through a rigorous testing process to ensure the performance of the winner is truly worthy of distinction and meets the guiding principles the program: gear that is of real value to the readers of Backpacker magazine, who are very active, long-term outdoor enthusiasts.

SAIL Magazine Freeman K. Pittman Innovation Award

Each year SAIL honors the memory of the late Freeman K. Pittman, Sail’s technical editor for 14 years, who was widely respected within the industry as an expert on gear, innovation, and technology. In the February 2008 issue, SAIL announced its annual Freeman K. Pittman Innovation Awards recognizing the best gear-related thinking within the marine market. The SPOT Satellite Messenger was chosen for safety and innovation technology.

North American Hunting Club (NAHC) Member Tested Seal-of-Approval

The North American Hunting Club (NAHC) recently awarded the SPOT Satellite Messenger™ with the NAHC Member Tested Seal-of-Approval in quality, durability and performance.
Members of the NAHC tested and evaluated SPOT, giving their reviews and recommendations concerning the product and their hunting experience with the product. Products receiving favorable ratings are published in the magazine and receive the “Member Tested Seal-of-Approval” to use on packaging and advertising—a point of distinction at the retail level.

Cabela’s 2008 Buyers’ Choice Gold Medal Award

SPOT Satellite Messenger was awarded the Gold Medal in the annual Buyers Choice Awards voted by the buyers of Cabela’s, a leading specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. SPOT and other new products are tested on specific criteria including technical innovation, construction and materials quality, value and potential for consumer acceptance.

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®)

2008 Innovations Design and Engineering Award

The SPOT™ Satellite Messenger has a has been awarded the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA®) 2008 Innovations Design and Engineering Award. The award, judged and selected annually by a panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and journalists, was given to SPOT in the category of Personal Electronics.

Since 1989, the prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards have given consumer technology manufacturers and developers an opportunity to have their newest products judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press.

Products chosen as the most impressive in each category are selected as honorees and can be seen in the Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Showcase at the Sands Expo and Convention Center during International CES.

As an award recipient, SPOT will be featured in the Innovations Showcase booth at the Sands Convention Center at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, in Las Vegas. SPOT Inc. will also be featuring the unit at its CES booth, # 71739, also at the Sands.