Emerald Expositions and Pizza Today magazine announced today a new industry awards program designed to honor pizzeria operators and help celebrate their business accomplishments. The Pizza Industry Excellence (PIE) Awards will offer more than 20 categories covering a broad array of foodservice business disciplines. Independent and chain pizzeria operators alike will be able to register for the PIE Awards at PizzaToday.com now through May 4. Early-bird pricing will be available until March 4.

“We’re excited to launch Pizza Today’s Pizza Industry Excellence awards,” said Bill Gannon, SVP and Editor-in-Chief of Emerald, the publisher of Pizza Today. “With more 20 PIE Award nomination categories, there are many exciting opportunities for a wide range of small to large pizza restaurants and entrepreneurs to participate. From innovations to best practices, we’re confident the readers of Pizza Today will find an exciting new opportunity for all their hard work to be recognized.”

Past award winners from the International Pizza Challenge often report a sales increase in their businesses upwards of 30-35 percent after claiming top honors at Pizza Expo. Pizza Today Content Director Jeremy White says he hopes PIE Awards winners will also experience positive benefits.

“The goal of any good awards program is to honor the winners in a meaningful way,” White says. “It is our hope that those who win PIE Awards will experience many lasting and positive benefits, just like International Pizza Challenge winners tell us they see sustained increases in press coverage and customer support.”

Early bird entry pricing ($249 for the first entry and $199 for each additional entry) will end March 30. After that time, pricing will be $299 for the first registration and $199 for each additional entry until the May 4 cutoff date.

To see a full listing of award categories, read the rules and enter, visit https://pizzatodaypieawards.secure-platform.com/a.