Each year, the AIM Awards shine a spotlight on the visionaries, trailblazers, and contributors who help shape and grow the Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) industry. These awards honor not only innovation and technical achievements, but also the people and organizations driving the global advancement of our industry’s technologies. If you or someone you know has made a significant impact in the AIDC space, submitting a nomination before the June 13 deadline is more than a chance at recognition; it is an opportunity to help elevate our entire industry.

Nominations are now open. You can submit your nominations here.

Let me break down each award and why it is worth your time to submit:

Richard Dilling Award
This is the most prestigious recognition in the AIDC industry. The Dilling Award has been honoring the best of the best since 1984—executives, engineers, scientists—those who have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth. If you have dedicated your career to advancing AIDC or led a major leap in its capabilities or adoption, this award is a badge of distinction and lasting legacy.

Paul Bergé International Business Development Award
If you or your organization has worked across borders to grow AIDC adoption, this award may suit you or your organization. Named for Paul Bergé, who made a career of expanding international markets, this award celebrates those who have left a global footprint. It recognizes the critical role international collaboration and outreach play in advancing technology and creating new opportunities for implementation worldwide.

Allan Gilligan Award
This award is especially relevant for those making AIDC work in the real world of logistics and supply chain. Named after a revolutionary developer of supply chain standards, the Gilligan Award recognizes individuals creating real, lasting impact through AIDC applications in materials handling. If you know someone who is solving operational challenges and enabling supply chain visibility with AIDC, nominate them today.

Clive Hohberger Technology Award
Named for Dr. Clive Hohberger, a respected technologist and inventor, this award celebrates those on the cutting edge. Whether you or someone you know are developing new technologies, writing code, designing hardware, or integrating systems, the Clive Hohberger Award recognizes the power of innovation.

Bert Moore Excellence in Journalism Award
The media shapes understanding and adoption. This award is for journalists or media professionals whose work has brought clarity, integrity, and education to the AIDC field. If you know someone who is telling the industry’s story—clearly, accurately, and with impact—this is your chance to celebrate their work.

Don Percival Award
Are you a user of AIDC who has transformed operations, improved traceability, or streamlined processes? This award is for individuals or organizations from the user community who demonstrate how impactful real-world applications can be. It celebrates implementation and the value AIDC brings when it meets practical business needs.

Ted Williams Award
This award is recgnition for educators, students, and researchers.  The Ted Williams Award honors those in academia or early-career innovators whose work is pushing boundaries and inspiring the next generation of AIDC professionals. If you know someone who is advancing the industry through research, entrepreneurship, or teaching, recognize them with a nomination.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Reserved for the giants among the industry, the Lifetime Achievement Award honors those whose careers have made an indelible impact on AIDC technology. If you know someone whose contributions have stood the test of time—across technologies like asset tracking, product verification, or IoT—nominate them to ensure their legacy is celebrated and remembered. 

Whether you or someone you know are a seasoned expert, an emerging innovator, or part of a team implementing game-changing technology, the AIM Awards offer a platform to recognize excellence and inspire the future of AIDC. Nominate someone (or yourself) today and help us celebrate the people and work that are propelling the industry forward.

Deadline to submit: June 13

Nominate here.

If you have additional questions about the awards, the AIM organization, or anything else contact Michael Allen.

On April 16, AIM hosted its inaugural AIDC 101 Workshop at the TSC facility in the Chicago area. This one-day, immersive experience was designed to introduce attendees to the foundational elements of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies. With over 20 participants in attendance, the workshop provided an ideal setting for both learning and networking, combining educational sessions with hands-on demonstrations from industry sponsors.

The day began with open access to sponsor tables, where attendees had the chance to explore demos and connect with leading solution providers from SpotSee, SICK, Zebra Technologies, Seagull, TEKLYNX and Metalcraft.  They also got to see AsReader and FEIG’s handheld equipment. The formal program launched soon after and featured four structured sessions that guided participants through the landscape of AIDC:

What is AIDC?

Equipment & Applications

The Current AIDC Landscape

AIDC Standards & Governing Bodies

Following the morning sessions, attendees participated in two rounds of hands-on breakout demonstrations, which brought the technologies and concepts to life in real-world scenarios. These included eight interactive stations, split between the “Generating Sample Solutions” session and “AIDC in Practice” session:

Generating Sample Solutions

Barcode Scanning

Participants tested both handheld and fixed barcode scanners, exploring how different scanning setups work in various environments.

RFID Reading

Hands-on exercises included scanning RFID tags with multiple reader types to understand range, tag orientation, and data read rates.

AIDC in Practice

Food Labeling & Traceability

This station explored how AIDC supports food safety and transparency across supply chains.

Inventory Count

Attendees used software platforms such as GreyTrunk to perform sample inventory operations.

The day concluded with an optional plant tour of TSC Printronix Auto ID, followed by an open Q&A, networking break, and certificate distribution to all attendees for completing the class.

The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. As one participant, Stephanie Podgor, Business Development & Marketing Specialist at TEGO, shared:

AIM extends its gratitude to all sponsors, speakers, and attendees who helped make this event a resounding success. The AIDC 101 Workshop demonstrated the value of combining education with application—and highlighted how AIM continues to support the growth and adoption of AIDC technologies.  Be on the lookout for future educational opportunities like this one!

Over the past year, AIM chapters around the world have made impressive strides in advancing the adoption and impact of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technologies. With a renewed focus on education, outreach, and collaboration, these regional efforts are not only strengthening local engagement but also shaping global best practices in the AIDC community.  Below are some of our chapters latest initiatives, which were discussed at the AIM Summit event:

In India, AIM India has experienced transformative growth. A strong digital presence was established through the launch of a website, a LinkedIn Company page, an X account, and a dedicated YouTube channel. These platforms have become hubs of activity, helping to expand awareness and promote the value of AIDC technologies to a broader audience. This visibility is backed by an ambitious webinar program that kicked off in May 2024 with the organization’s inaugural event, The Future of AIDC Technologies. The session featured three expert presentations that offered forward-looking insights into the evolution of AIDC. In August, AIM India hosted RFID for Supply Chain Traceability and Inventory Count, a deep dive into the practical applications of RFID in logistics. October brought the third installment, Positive Patient ID as a Cornerstone of Patient Safety, which explored the life-saving benefits of AIDC in healthcare environments. These sessions have not only informed attendees but have sparked genuine excitement within the community. AIM India also participated in the North Zone Meet organized by the AIDC Technologies Association of India at Crowne Plaza in Okhla, furthering connections within the national ecosystem. Looking ahead, AIM India plans to launch a regular newsletter, expand collaborations with like-minded associations, continue its webinar series, grow its membership, engage in more conferences, and produce additional educational content for YouTube and beyond.

Meanwhile, in Europe, AIM AIM-D e.V. is preparing for a full slate of events and expert forums in 2025. The Spring Meeting, hosted by Think WIOT Group, will be held in Lüneburg from May 7–9, followed by the Autumn Meeting in Waldkirch from November 5–7, hosted by SICK. AIM Germany also has a strong presence at industry trade shows. LogiMAT 2025 in Stuttgart is already sold out with 12 partners committed to the AIM Booth and continued programming at the popular AIM-ident Experts Forum and Tracking & Tracing Theater. Additional participation is planned for transportation logistics 2025 in Munich and the #WIOT25 conference in Wiesbaden, where AIM will present lectures and host expert panels. Planning for LogiMAT 2026 is already underway, with booth reservations now open.

In terms of technical initiatives, AIM – D e.V. supports several active and emerging expert groups. The RFID & Sensors group continues its work on market development and technical refinement, with an updated white paper expected in Q4 2024. Optical Readable Media (ORM) efforts are ongoing, including work on standards such as IEC 61406 and verifier conformance for DPM. Marketing and regulatory teams are focused on market research, frequency harmonization, and critical EU regulations such as the Radio Equipment Directive and Cyber Resilience Act. Projects like the integration of AIDC in recycling systems and discussions on digital product passports reflect the chapter’s commitment to sustainability. Although some expert groups, such as AutoID & Security and RTLS, are currently paused due to leadership transitions, others like System Integration remain highly active. The RFID & IO-Link joint group launched in 2023 continues to hold regular meetings, with the next scheduled for April 8, 2025.

AIM Denmark‘s shared the latest developments with their international network. Their recent seminar at føtexGo—the first cashier-free store in Denmark—offered valuable insights into the future of retail and seamless shopping experiences. At their General Assembly, members re-elected the board, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing the industry.

Now, all eyes are on RFID & IoT in the Nordics 2025, happening in Copenhagen on June 12th under the theme “Data as the Digital Heartbeat – Transparency and Value Creation in Modern Value Chains.” With the event fast approaching, AIM Denmark invites professionals and organizations across the AIM Global community and beyond to join them — whether as attendees eager for fresh perspectives or as sponsors looking to engage with key players in the Nordic and European markets.

Learn more and register for the conference at www.aidcdkconference.org or reach out by mail to conference@aidcdk.org

AIM Asia has also made noteworthy progress, forming a new EMC & RF Workgroup aimed at addressing evolving communications infrastructure challenges and ensuring environmental compatibility. In addition, the AIM Asia Education Arm has been established as a nonprofit, collaborative platform designed to bridge STEM learning with industry innovation. This educational initiative offers open-source courses, industry-aligned certifications, and career pathways to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the future. Plans are already underway for a 2025 seminar series under the theme “Building Synergies Across AIM Member Companies,” which will highlight case studies, branding strategies, and cross-border opportunities through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). AIM Asia’s regional footprint includes engagement with stakeholders in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Korea.

In North America, AIM North America is concentrating efforts through dedicated work groups focused on food safety, cannabis compliance, and unique device identification (UDI). The food group is conducting a survey to assess service practices, while the UDI group is working to resolve barcode decoding challenges within healthcare. Meanwhile, the cannabis workgroup is developing an educational podcast and webinar series to support this emerging industry’s labeling and tracking needs.

AIM Russia has played a pivotal role in advancing the national traceability system. In close collaboration with GS1 Russia, it provides expert guidance on the implementation of AIDC technologies such as UHF RFID and DataMatrix across a wide array of product categories, reinforcing its leadership in the field. AIM Russia is also deeply involved in a national initiative aimed at leveraging AIDC for product identification, traceability, and logistics optimization. The project’s scope continues to expand, now covering both food and non-food items. To support this effort, AIM Russia regularly delivers training and consulting services to participants, underscoring its commitment to industry development.

AIM Europe has sustained strong membership growth into the summer and is actively preparing for participation in LogiMat. The organization remains highly engaged in standardization initiatives with CEN and ETSI, working to promote the adoption and development of AIDC technologies across Europe.

AIM Korea has been jointly operated by KAIIA (Korea Automatic Identification Industry Association). Their focus lies in technological innovation and workforce development, particularly in auto ID applications utilizing barcodes, RFID, and IoT.

AIM China has contributed significantly to the Prepackaged Food Digital Label Platform, supporting over 70 food companies in transitioning from traditional to digital labels. This shift has enhanced both consumer experience and industry efficiency. AIM China continues to foster knowledge-sharing and capacity-building within the sector.

Across all regions, AIM chapters are demonstrating leadership through innovation, collaboration, and education. Their collective work is driving the future of AIDC and reinforcing the global value of standards-based identification technologies. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow and connect the AIDC community worldwide

If you would like to gain more insights into AIM’s global chapters, contact Michael Allen at mike@aimglobal.org.