These recognitions are given with the support of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and OrthoLite comfort insoles, and winners include design categories such as Running and Comfort or specialty family shoe stores and trendy boutiques.

Company of the Year award went to Skechers, which experienced record sales in 2014 with the company's estimations pointing to a total of 2.35 billion US dollars, up by 27% from previous year. Other winners include: Vans (Brand of the Year and Surf, The North Face (Outdoor), Rocky (Work Boots), Sam Edelman (Women’s Collection), Justin Boots (Cowboy Boots), Asics (Running) and Ugg Australia (Boots).

Additional companies honored at the ceremony included Jambu (Children’s), Rockport (Men’s Comfort), Birkenstock (Women’s Comfort), Nordstrom (National Chain), Aetrex (Best Wholesale Customer Service), Zappos (Online), Reyers Shoes (Sits & Fits) Keds x Taylor Swift (Best Collab), Vince Camuto (Little Black Dress), Wolverine 1000 Mile (Men’s Collection), New Balance (Athletic Lifestyle), Moxie (Boutique) Harry’s Shoes (Customer Service) and Clarks (Innovations in Comfort presented by OrthoLite).

Lifetime Achievement was given to Peter Hanig, owner of Hanig’s Shoes, in acknowledgement of his career in shoe retailing of more than 40 decades.

The 2014 Plus Awards featured the first-ever Outdoor Style and Best Kicks Collab categories and winners were Sorel and Concepts x Converse Aran Sweater, respectively.

“Congratulations to all 2014 Plus Award winners”, stated Greg Dutter, Editorial Director of Footwear Plus, adding: "The innovation, hard work and passion represented in these companies is proof positive the footwear industry raises the bar on design and service year after year”