The Association For Creative Industries (AFCI) is looking for entrepreneurs who have an innovative product or idea to enter its Innovations Center program for the chance to exhibit at Creativation and participate in The Ultimate Pitch competition to win $10,000. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT.

“The Innovations Center is a life changing moment for an innovator in the creative arts space,” says Mark Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer, AFCI. “The individuals who are selected will gain significant exposure to major retail chains, distributors, manufacturers and marketing companies, and could win $10,000 to turn their idea into a tangible product.”

Up to 25 candidates will be chosen to showcase their invention in the Innovations Center at the tradeshow portion of Creativation, which will take place January 20-22, 2018. Up to five of those candidates will then be selected to pitch their brainchild to a panel of industry leaders during The Ultimate Pitch contest on Monday, January 22. Each innovator will get five minutes to pitch their innovation and five minutes of critique from the judges. One innovation will be awarded a cash prize of $10,000 and launched as the Top Creative Innovation of 2018.

The panel of judges will include executives from Michaels, Joann, HSN and Crayola.

Last year, Armando and Alfredo Ulloa, the brother duo from Dallas, Texas, won the grand prize of $10,000 for their product, Let’s Hang, a tool that helps you hang frames and pictures level and precise.

“It’s kind of crazy. We never expected to get the response that we got.” says Armando Ulloa. “I would recommend anyone in our situation with a new tool, or a new invention, or a new product to come to Creativation. It’s overwhelming, but it’s awesome.”

The submission deadline is Monday, October 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. To enter and receive more information, visit www.CreativationShow.org.