The first Virtual & Hybrid Event Awards by the Virtual Events Institute (VEI) saw 20 awards dished out on the night.
The event was broadcast from ExCeL London and Anna Valley’s hybrid event studio and aimed to celebrate the best of digital and hybrid events around the world.
VEI co-founder Simon Burton hosted the ceremony and presented accolades across 15 categories, kicking off with the Best Virtual & Hybrid Consumer Event and culminating with the Best Virtual & Hybrid Trade Show.
The entries were judged by a panel of 47 industry leaders including corporates, associations, exhibition organisers and agencies.
Sophie Ahmed, CEO and co-founder of VEI said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of exceptional entries we received for our first VEI Awards. The inspirational and purposeful work that comprises this year's winners and shortlist is testament to the adaptability, talent and teamwork of event organizers and technology providers.
“As virtual and hybrid experiences became an integral and established part of events, it has never been more important to recognize and celebrate outstanding talent, create a forum for education and showcase leading event technology.”
The ceremony also featured magician Peter Wardell, a photo booth, prizes, and networking opportunities.
The winners of the VEI Virtual & Hybrid Event Awards 2021 are:
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Consumer Event: Hub Exhibitions for Women in Business Expo Virtual
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Association Event: National Council of Teachers of English for NCTE 2020 Annual Convention
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Employee Engagement Event: Live Union for Arm 30 House Party
- Special Merits: Employee Engagement Event for Marks & Spencer 'Unique Peak'
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Business Festival: INVNT for Effect 2020 by SAP ANZ
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Marketing Campaign: Pageant Media for EGR Operator Awards 2020
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Brand Activation: SharpEnd for Fly Campari Group
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Sales Team: Pageant Media for Pageant Media Commercial Team
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Organizer Team: Vitafoods for Vitafoods Virtual Expo & Summit
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Awards: Pageant Media for EGR Operator Awards 2020
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Specialist Event: Matrix Events for Oktoberfest Bash
- Special Merits: University of the Pacific for Women's Rights are Human Rights Exhibition
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Event Start-Up: The Carrot Collective
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Event Technology: Kudo
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Event Platform: Glisser
- Special Merits: SURREAL and ExpoPlatform
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Conference: DRPG for DRPGBIGtalk World
- Special Merits: JMB Consulting / Fundraising Everywhere for BAME Online 2020
- Best Virtual & Hybrid Trade Show: Informa for Spark Change 2020: Powered by Natural Products Expo
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
