This year’s AEO Excellence Awards take place on Friday 24 June, at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.
The event, which recognises and celebrates achievements from event organisers, venues and suppliers throughout the industry, will return to a live edition after pivoting to virtual in 2020.
Chris Skeith OBE, AEO chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to be running the AEO Excellence Awards again this year. While we were fortunate to celebrate some major industry achievements last year at the AEO Centenary Party, event professionals will be excited to see more familiar favourites on the list of categories, following a phenomenal fourth quarter in 2021.
“Additionally, we have reviewed the categories to reflect changes in the market and have introduced new editions such as; Sustainability Initiative Award, Technology Innovation Award, Best Company Initiative and Supplier Team of the Year.”
The categories are:
1. Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
2. Marketing Campaign of the Year – Trade Show
3. Marketing Campaign of the Year – Consumer Show
4. Best Event Launch
5. Best Conference
6. Best International Show – Europe
7. Best International Show – Americas
8. Best International Show – Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific
9. Organiser Team of the Year
10. Venue Team of the Year
11. Supplier Team of the Year - new for 2022
12. Service Supplier of the Year
13. Best Consumer Show
14. Best UK Tradeshow <2ksqm 15. Best UK Tradeshow 2001-8000sqm 16. Best UK Tradeshow >8ksqm
17. Venue of the Year <20ksqm 18. Venue of the Year >20ksqm
19. Unsung Hero
20. Sustainability Initiative Award - new for 2022
21. Technology Innovation Award – new for 2022
22. Best Company Initiative - new for 2022
Skeith added: “The industry has endured a tough couple of years with event professionals demonstrating incredible resilience, hard work and dedication right the way through. They continue to do so in what is still a challenging climate. It is an honour to work among them and I can’t wait to get together for a celebration and shine a light on their achievements.”
Headline sponsors for the event are Circdata and the NEC. Chris Clipston, managing director at Circdata, said: "Circdata continue to be proud to headline sponsor the AEO Excellence Awards. The AEO is a vital part of the events eco-system, providing an important voice for the industry which has never been needed more so than during the pandemic. We look forward to seeing the shortlists in the coming months, and wish all entrants the best of luck!”
Kelly Haslehurst, NEC group marketing director for conventions and exhibitions said: “It is a privilege for the NEC to support the AEO Awards as a headline sponsor for the seventh year running. To say our industry has undergone a complex set of challenges in the past two years would be an understatement. We hope that 2022 will be the year the events sector can fully get back on its feet and look forward to celebrating its resilience, innovation and talent. It’s time to showcase the incredible live events we all deliver together, as venues, organisers, suppliers and colleagues.”
For further information on the awards and to submit your entries visit www.aeoawards.org. Deadline for entries is Thursday 31 March 2022.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
