Open to agency teams or offices based in the UK and Ireland only. This award will be given to an agency that has achieved excellent results and working practices within the previous 16 months. Submissions should include two short case studies of excellent events delivered for clients, plus information on the agency’s size and structure, its strategic direction, financial results, and relevant details about the agency’s journey over the eligibility period. What progress or big wins were achieved, what are the next goals, how is client retention/acquisition and new business? Please include client testimonials, focus on results, relationships and why you are the agency of the year.

Eligible for agencies with bases in at least three countries. This award will be given to an agency that achieved and has proven incredible results in the previous 16 months. Entries must include the agency’s size and structure, location of offices around the world, its leadership and strategic direction, financial results, employee engagement and key moments in the agency’s journey over the eligibility period. It is recommended to include major milestones and wins, new innovations, client retention/acquisition (particularly global business), strategic adjustments and developments of work. Please include client testimonials and two short case studies of B2B events delivered for clients, describing the objectives, delivery and results/ ROI for each event.

Celebrating the in-house heroes, this award will be given to an in-house team that has delivered outstanding events and excellent results for their employer within the previous 16 months. In addition to case studies of amazing events delivered, entries should detail the team size and structure, strategic direction and financial results, where possible, to convey the team’s journey over the past year. Judges will look for teams that can prove how they benefit their organisation and contribute to commercial success or employee engagement. Please include testimonials and two short case studies of B2B events delivered for the business, describing the objectives, delivery and results/ROI for each event.

Open to agencies that deliver B2B incentive events. This award will be given to an incentive agency or incentive house that can prove exceptional results within the previous 16 months. As well as event delivery, judges will assess the team itself, so submissions should include the agency’s size and structure, its strategic direction, financial results and employee engagement if relevant. Share your business milestones, achievements, client retention and new business, and evidence this with great testimonials and two short case studies of B2B events delivered, describing the objectives, delivery and ROI for each event. Focus on telling the judges why you are the best incentive agency of the year.

This category celebrates small agencies that deliver excellent results with limited human resources, and it’s open to B2B event agencies which employ fewer than 10 staff in total. Submissions should include the agency’s size and structure, its financial results, employee engagement and key aspects of its journey over the past 16 months, including client retention/acquisition, new business wins, significant event delivery and evidence of leadership strategy. Please include client testimonials and two short case studies of B2B events delivered for clients, describing the objectives, delivery and results/ROI for each event. Focus on results that prove why you are the best boutique agency of the year.

This prestigious award celebrates a true visionary and champion of the events industry; an icon renowned for excellence and whose work is progressive, inspiring and memorable. It is exclusively open to event leaders aged 40 and over, to recognise experience, and a track record of consistent, exceptional delivery. Judges are looking for more than just a portfolio of spectacular events; they want to see a proven commitment to mentorship, team development, and elevating industry standards. Entries should explain how the nominee has spent their career honing their craft, developing the next generation of event professionals, and contributing to remarkable moments in the industry. They must demonstrate this with feedback, testimonials and business financials, where necessary. Note: This is the only category that is awarded to a single individual. Entrants must be aged 40 or over on the date of submission, and can be self or second-party nominated.

Incentive events are designed to motivate and reward employees, and they vary greatly. This category is open to traditional relaxation-centred retreats, exclusive or high-ticket moments, and activity-based offerings, all the way to modern and unusual approaches. Entries should convey the desired outcome, and how the programme was structured to accomplish this. Submissions should focus on how the event incentivised and celebrated attendees, but also how it prompted emotional responses, unique, lasting memories or inspired attendees - as well as those who missed out.

Open to all conference or congress events, this category recognises the best events where people come together to connect, network and learn. This can include events for an internal, external, membership, association or professional audience, but please provide context of the audience. Consider factors such as how the event attracted and engaged delegates, delivered the required messaging, and brought complex or technical subjects to life. If the conference centred on knowledge sharing or driving decisions, explain how it was delivered and contributed to the broader success of the industry, profession, organisation or membership. Judges will be looking at delegate experience and design elements, as well as event logistics and programme design. Detail the full run down of the event design, delivery and share post-event analysis data where possible.

This award recognises all events designed to celebrate, recognise and commemorate individuals, teams and organisations for their achievements or milestones, such as awards, dinners, parties, and more. The judges will assess how the celebration was designed to platform success, bring joy to attendees, create lasting memories, or improve the awarding organisation’s reputation, as relevant, and to what extent this was achieved.

Open to any B2B or B2C event that is primarily focused on launching a new product or service, be that in automotive, technology, retail, luxury, FMCG, pharmaceutical and medical, media, heavy industry or any other sector. It can be in-house or agency-led, and should prioritise how the event supported the brand’s mission to promote the product and reach the desired audience. Judges will look for evidence that the event amplified the product awareness and reached the desired marker, as well as quality of design and creative execution

This category is open to brand activations promoting any product, service or company. The entry should focus on how the activation drove connection, loyalty, and impact among the intended audience. Set out the KPIs and note how the activation achieved them, such as reinforcing brand recognition for an established company; initiating relationships for a new company; accessing a new demographic or market; or demonstrating alignment with a larger event run by a partner (for example, the brand activation of a sponsor to a major event).

Internal events are designed to enhance relationships, both between a company and its employees, as well as among teams and team members. With this in mind, entries should demonstrate how their event helped to connect, or reconnect, individuals with their team or the organisation, its mission and values. Entries should demonstrate a measurable impact on attendees’ perception, attitude or relationships as a result of the event, as well as stakeholder satisfaction.

The experiential award is open to any event that was designed to make attendees ‘feel’, to provoke a specific emotion or response. This category will focus on the combination of creative execution and logistics. Judges will be looking at how the event design used immersive or multi-sensory elements to meet the brief, what impact they had on attendees, and efficient production. Entrants should include all relevant information about technical, design, F&B and venue aspects, as well as feedback and testimonials, where relevant.

Open to event management and delivery teams but not individual exhibitors or venues. The event size is not a limiting factor as entries should focus on effective delivery and ROI, rather than pure scale. It could encompass floor and stand design; improved content and meetings, if relevant; the mix of live and digital elements; and additional features such as briefings, lunches and any perks that have added value. Judges will be looking for aspects that relate to improved numbers and experience for attendees, exhibitors, buyers, sponsors and other parties.

This category is for exceptional events with a limited financial resource. Any type of live, in-person event will be considered, as well as any industry or sector, as long as it has been delivered within the eligibility period (January 2025 - May 2026) and recorded a total cost of less than £50,000. Entrants should provide a thorough run down of the event itself, and detail any decisions (venue, F&B, transport etc) that showcase thoughtful production, problem-solving, resource and cost management, that has resulted in maximum impact for minimal spend. Entrants will need to provide evidence of the event spend.

This category is open to teams that have used technology to improve the event experience, either back-of-house, during the event, or in post-event analysis. It should state the technology or tech partner selection, how the choice contributed to marked improvements or resourcing benefits, such as better delegate outreach, higher quality meeting matches, and greater accessibility including translation or sign language tools. Use of AI is welcomed but not mandatory. Due to the variance of the technologies, the judges will look for how the technology led to improvements, and evidence of its effect on commercial or delegate experience success.

This category celebrates activities that show a commitment to sustainability and environmental progress. It will focus on a targeted initiative, (so does not have to cover a whole event) and may encompass transport and logistics; F&B and product or ingredient sourcing; printing, labelling, badging, merchandise and gifts; promotional materials; energy, water, carbon or other resource consumption; official certifications or accreditation; and more. The entry should prove exactly what was achieved - perfection is not required, but judges will look for evidence of significant improvements and long-term strategy.

Getting a new project off the ground isn’t easy, and this category is open to new events that have been launched and completed within the past two years, between January 2024 and May 2026. It can consist of any event type, format, industry sector or delegate audience; the judges will look for how it proved its value in the competitive landscape. Entries should detail the need for the new event and the concept behind it; explain the desired format and audience; and heavily focus on the outcomes - how did this new event match the intentions and bring value to the owner and the attendees? If the event was intended as a one-off occurrence or if the next date is not yet confirmed, it is recommended to explain why it may not be repeated.

Reinvigorating a long-established incumbent event can be just as tricky as launching a new one, and this category is open to pre-existing events that were delivered within January 2024 and May 2026. This applies to teams who significantly changed an event they already manage, or an event they have taken over from another organisation. Entries should consider how they present the ‘before and after’ to capture what changes were made (format, location, budget, production, speakers etc), and how these contributed to a demonstrable increase in delegate attendance, experience, or commercial success.

This category celebrates the unsung backstage heroes of events – the teams and organisations that provide event support functions, including but not limited to: AV and tech, F&B service, logistics and design. Due to the variance of their functions, entries should centre on novel or practical problem-solving, and the proven impact of their contribution to the event or project outcome. Testimonials and data are strongly recommended to help judges make their assessments; judges will be looking for evidence of partnership, collaboration and flexibility when dealing with clients, as well as outstanding overall service delivery. Not open to event agencies.

This award will recognise the team that can show a clear, consistent and proven positive influence on the success of the events they represent. This may consist of campaigns or social media activities, as well as during and post-event activities around promotion, sales, ticketing, exhibitor and/or sponsor agreements. This category is open to sales and marketing teams based in venues or in marketing and PR agencies. Not open to event agencies.

This award is presented to the most exceptional MICE hotel in the UK and Ireland. Entries must include the specifications of the venue, outlining its unique selling points in the context of MICE events – they should prioritise new details or packages where relevant, such as innovations, refurbishments, extensions, adaptations, and any sustainability programs – and if there is no ‘new’ aspect, highlight why this is not necessary. Judges will look for how the venue stands out, and how it is responding to the evolving needs of MICE clients. Entries should reference at least two events hosted, and state why this venue deserves to be named best-in-class for MICE purposes.

This award is for the most remarkable international MICE hotel. Entries must include the specifications of the venue, outlining its unique selling points in the context of MICE events, and prioritise new details or packages such as information about innovations, refurbishments, extensions, adaptations and any sustainability programs, where relevant, and if there is no ‘new’ information, explain how the venue consistently delivers without it. Explain how the venue stands out and how it is responding to the evolving needs of MICE clients. Tell the judges why this venue deserves to be named best-in-class for MICE purposes. Not open to UK and Ireland.

Open to all convention centres, located anywhere in the UK or internationally. Entries must include the specifications of the venue, its unique selling points and support functions or logistical features, as well as information on any financial incentives or delegate packages. It should also include information about innovations, refurbishments, extensions and adaptations, collaborations and any sustainability programs, plus brief case studies of at least two events it has hosted. Judges will be looking for convention centres that demonstrate not just logistical proficiency, but also a strong focus on delegate (and organiser) experience.

This award recognises locations that excel in hosting outstanding MICE events, and is open to all destinations in the UK and Ireland.

This award recognises world-class MICE event destinations internationally. It is recommended to outline what makes your destination unique: prioritise information about newbuilds, major renovations or innovations, infrastructure changes, and sustainability programs, in addition to the range of venue stock, activities and cultural offerings that define this destination and make it distinct. You should convey to the judges not only why it is an ideal host, but how your destination can actually elevate client events and contribute to best-in-class MICE events. Not open to UK and Ireland.

Open to all teams and organisations in the UK and Ireland, and internationally. This award will be presented for an outstanding record over the past 16 months. Entrants should explain how their DMC unlocks their destination and works with stakeholders including local or national leadership, convention bureaus, industries or academic sectors, where relevant. It should capture how the DMC has contributed to the appeal of the destination and the role it has played in major event wins. Entries should include data such as financial results, visitors numbers, the results of promotional or campaigns, and any relevant social impact on the community or sustainability goals.