Award Categories

1. Best B2B Brand Experience

This category recognises organisations that were able to deliver an outstanding B2B brand experience to their audiences during an event. The brand experience must be in line with the brand’s values and objectives, and provide a compelling environment for keeping audiences engaged and switched on. Any format targeting a B2B audience is eligible. This category is open to events held one time or multiple times.

2. Best B2B Event: Conferences / Meetings / Seminars

This category recognises an outstanding B2B or corporate event that communicated its message in a unique yet effective method. B2B conferences and awards galas, sales meetings, annual shareholder events, proprietary events, multi-day meetings, webinars etc. are all eligible. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the event. This category is open to events held either in a single venue, or an event held at multiple times in different venues.

3. Best B2C Brand Experience

This category recognises organisations that were able to deliver an outstanding B2C brand experience to their audiences during an event. The brand experience must be in line with the brand’s values and objectives, and provide a compelling environment for keeping audiences engaged and switched on. Any format targeting a B2C audience is eligible. This category is open to events held one time or multiple times.

4. Best Community-Focused / Cause-Related Event

This category recognises the brand that made best use of an event to advocate a public cause, raise awareness of a public issue, or bring a community together. Relevant and tangible evidence should be provided to demonstrate the purpose, reach and effect of the event, as well as the seamless execution.

5. Best Consumer Event: Arts / Culture / Entertainment

This category recognises the best consumer event for arts, culture and entertainment. This can include theatre events, gallery exhibitions, music concerts, local festivals, film festivals, artistic competitions and more. Judges will be looking for high levels of creativity as well as effective and seamless execution to support the event’s focus. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the event.

6. Best Consumer Event: Health / Wellness / Fitness

This category recognises the best consumer event related to health, wellness or fitness. This can include anything that addresses social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual, or physical wellbeing. Judges will be looking for high levels of creativity as well as effective and seamless execution to support the event’s focus. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the event.

7. Best Consumer Event: Product Launch / Re-Launch

This category recognises the most innovative and effective event specifically designed to support a launch or a re-launch of a product. The event can be part of an integrated campaign but the results and awareness shown must have been generated specifically from the event. Judges will be looking for a clear understanding of and engagement with the target audience, consistency of message and out-of-the-box approaches to promoting and experiencing the product.

8. Best Creative Element for an Event

This category recognises events that exhibited a truly creative, innovative or unique concept. Judges will be looking at how the creative element was infused throughout the event, and evidence that it had a positive and tangible effect on audience’s perception and experience of the event. The element can be any concept via any medium, including but not limited to: Unique themes, unique uses of technology, unique activation, unique use of influencers, or novel forms of audience engagement (AR / VR etc).

9. Best Digital Integration

This category recognises the best “live” campaigns that effectively integrated digital elements and technologies within an event experience. If your event (B2B or B2C) was complemented by web portals, use of mobile / apps, AR / VR, digital, social media and more, this category is for you. Judges will be looking at how seamlessly the user experience of the digital technologies worked hand-in-hand with the physical event to enhance engagement with the audience.

10. Best Event Ambience

This category recognises the best exhibit or environment from an event programme. The entry should focus on what was designed, how it was put together, the materials used, and how it contributed to the atmosphere of the event. Results need not be submitted but audience feedback and testimonials are welcomed.

11. Best Event Branding

This category recognises the company that ensured seamless branding across all event platforms and perfect alignment with the brand’s profile and values. The entrant must take into consideration how the overall event supported the brand’s message. The results of the event need not be submitted but tangible evidence of consistent branding across all event channels must be submitted.

12. Best Event by an In-House Team

This category recognises an event created and executed by an in-house team. The event can be B2B or B2C, covering any sector or audience but the event must be 100% company-owned and controlled. Judges will be looking for high levels of creativity as well as effective and seamless execution to support the event’s focus. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the event.

13. Best Event for a Specific Audience

This category recognises the event campaign that engaged a specific target audience effectively. Judges will be looking for evidence of strategic engagement and positive action and / or a change in community behaviour.

14. Best Event for Employee Engagement

This category celebrates events that have excelled in engaging and motivating internal teams. This category applauds initiatives that have fostered team cohesion, improved morale, and contributed positively to the organisation’s culture. Entrants should showcase events that successfully engaged employees, whether through training sessions, team-building activities, or other initiatives. Judges will assess how these events have strengthened employee relationships, enhanced productivity, and left a lasting impact on the workforce. If your event has made a significant difference in employee engagement, this category is your opportunity to shine.

15. Best Event on a Budget

This category recognises outstanding events executed with limited financial resources, showcasing exceptional creativity, strategic planning, and impactful results. Judges will evaluate how organisers maximised their budget to deliver a high-quality experience, achieve objectives, and create memorable moments, proving that great events don’t always require big spending.

16. Best Event Production

This category recognises the most creative, extensive, outrageous, ambitious, and outstanding production of an event. Everything from the lighting to the music to the script and registration / ticketing process will be taken into consideration. Research and insights into the idea and execution will be needed. This category focuses on the fantastic production and execution itself, and less on how the event’s marketing objectives were met.

17. Best Event: 100 - 500 Attendees

This category recognises exceptional events with 100 to 500 attendees, celebrating creativity, attention to detail, and memorable experiences. From business conferences to social gatherings, it honours outstanding planning, execution, and impact.

18. Best Event: Less than 100 Attendees

This category honours the excellence in planning and executing events with a capacity of less than 100 attendees. Entrants should showcase exceptional creativity, attention to detail and a commitment to providing a unique and memorable experience for all participants. Designed for events with a highly targeted audience such as product experiences, VIP-focused sessions, small gatherings or exclusive parties, this award acknowledges the hard work and dedication put into creating events that stand out among their peers.

19. Best Event: More than 500 Attendees

This category recognises excellence in the planning, execution, and overall experience of events with a capacity of over 500 attendees. The attendees must have been physically present to qualify for this category. Entrants should demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and attention to detail, resulting in a memorable and successful experience for all participants. From large conferences and conventions to festivals and gala events, this category acknowledges the hard work and dedication put into creating an event that truly stands out among the rest.

20. Best Experiential Marketing

This category recognises the most innovative real-world marketing / brand activation experience designed to foster a personal interaction and memorable connection with customers. Judges will be looking for high levels of creativity and seamless execution. Entries should provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the experience.

21. Best Government Sector / Non-Profit

This category recognises the most strategic, creative, and effective event conceptualised and executed by a government sector or non-profit organisation and is open to an event held either in a single venue, or multiple times in different venues. Judges will be looking for high levels of creativity as well as effective and seamless execution to support the event’s focus. Entries should provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the event.

22. Best Hybrid Event

This category celebrates excellence in seamlessly blending in-person and virtual elements to create impactful hybrid events. It recognises exceptional planning, engagement strategies, and meaningful interactions that overcome challenges and leave a lasting impression. Judges will evaluate how these events effectively connected audiences and delivered outstanding experiences in the evolving hybrid landscape.

23. Best Immersive Experience

This category recognises an event that brings a product or brand to life for the attendees in a truly innovative and interactive format. This includes the use of technology, surroundings and should involve high levels of multisensory engagement from the attendees. Judges will be looking at how strongly the brand values and concepts relate directly to the attendee’s journey at the event.

24. Best Integrated Event Campaign

This category recognises the best event employing two or more channels including online and offline to enhance an event’s promotion and experience. Judges will be looking for seamless integration with the event’s objectives and branding and how the campaign drove traffic, generated leads, identified prospects, and garnered more participation compared to the competition.

25. Best Internal Business Event

This category recognises the best event developed for internal staff. Judges will be looking for how engaging concepts perfectly capture and align with the company’s vision and values. This category can include motivational seminars, teambuilding initiatives, gala dinners and more. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose and results of the event.

26. Best Multi-Day Event Experience

This category recognises outstanding events lasting a minimum of three days. It celebrates exceptional planning, seamless execution, and the ability to sustain attendee engagement and value over an extended duration. Judges will look for immersive experiences, meaningful interactions, and impactful outcomes that define the success of multi-day events.

27. Best Pop-up Experience / Environment

This category recognises the most creative use of Pop-up marketing, including stores, stands, road shows, flash mobs, or anything else that was temporary and time-sensitive. Entrants should demonstrate measurable results and examples of engagement. Events from both the B2B and B2C worlds are welcomed.

28. Best Press / Media Event

This category recognises the press event that was most creative in the invitation process, and was effective and seamless in its execution and presentation. Entrants should demonstrate measurable results and media take up as a result of the event.

29. Best PR-Led Event Campaign

This category recognises the best use of PR and communications by an in-house PR team, a PR agency, or a combination of both, to bring a brand to life and / or deliver an organisation’s communication needs as part of an event campaign. This category is open to any one-off or ongoing events or initiative such as a concert, conference, roadshow, experiential field marketing activity, sponsorship activation, and any programme that incorporates events as a major focus.

Judges will be looking at the nature of the event, communication strategies, core business objectives, context within the overall PR campaign and the ability to build brand reputation.

30. Best Recurring Event

This category honours events that have been consistently organised for over three years. It recognises the long-term growth, innovation, and enduring impact of these events, as well as their ability to evolve, build loyal audiences, and deliver consistently memorable experiences year after year.

31. Best Retail / Shopper Marketing

This category recognises the best event setup inside a mall and / or retailer environment that creatively engaged shoppers through activities or programmes; this can also include pop-up shops or highly engaging displays. Judges will be looking for high levels of creativity, excellence in design, execution, and the meeting of marketing objectives. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the events.

32. Best Technology Industry Event NEW

This category recognises events specifically designed for the technology sector, such as developer conferences, product launches, hackathons, or innovation summits. Entrants should demonstrate how the event fostered industry knowledge-sharing, community-building, and thought leadership. Judges will be looking for creativity, impact, and how effectively the event engaged its target tech audience to achieve strategic objectives.

33. Best Tech-Powered Event NEW

This category recognises events where technology is the core driver of the attendee experience. Entrants should showcase events that could not have achieved the same impact without technology, including innovations such as virtual or augmented reality environments, AI-powered personalisation, smart venues, or phygital experiences. They should demonstrate how technology shaped the concept, design, and delivery to create a fully immersive, interactive, and memorable event. Judges will be looking for bold, transformative uses of technology that define the event itself, not just enhance it.

34. Best Use of Gamification / Contests

This category recognises the best use of games and / or competitions in an event campaign to enhance an event’s promotion and / or improve engagement levels at an event. Judges will be looking for evidence of high levels of interactivity and engagement from the target audience and bold creative execution. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of introducing the games / contests.

35. Best Use of Influencers / KOLs

This category recognises the most effective use of influencers in an event campaign which could include the use of appropriate experts, ambassadors, bloggers, or celebrities. Judges will be looking for how closely the influencer(s) relate to the theme or style of the event and how their presence at the event as well as in the lead up to the event enhanced awareness and engagement from the target audience.

36. Best Use of Merchandise

This category highlights creative and effective use of branded merchandise to enhance the event experience. It celebrates innovative approaches to leveraging merchandise for audience engagement, brand building, and post-event impact, focusing on items that provide lasting value beyond traditional promotional tools.

37. Best Use of Omnichannel for an Event

This category acknowledges exceptional event planning and execution that leverages multiple channels to create an immersive and comprehensive experience for attendees. This award celebrates events that seamlessly connect various digital and physical touchpoints, including social media, email, and in-person experiences, to create a cohesive and engaging experience for attendees. From business conferences to consumer-focused events, this award honours events that effectively utilise an omnichannel approach to connect with and engage attendees in new and innovative ways.

38. Best Use of Social Media

This category recognises the event that best used social media to strike a conversation with their audience and get them talking about the event. Judges will be looking for evidence of social media helping to expand reach and enhance the experience.

39. Best Use of Sponsorships / Partnerships

This category acknowledges events that effectively leverage sponsorships and partnerships to create an experience that is engaging and memorable for participants. From sponsoring a team, to a league, to a one-off event or a specific activation, judges will look at how well the event met the brand’s objectives and the overall execution of the event. From business conferences and trade shows to consumer-focused events, this award celebrates the efforts put into forming and executing meaningful partnerships that add value for attendees. Entries should also provide relevant and tangible evidence to demonstrate the purpose, reach and results of the event.

40. Best Use of Sustainability

This category recognises events that prioritise and successfully integrate sustainable practices into the planning, execution, and overall experience of the event. Entrants should demonstrate a commitment to reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainability in all aspects of event planning, from venue selection and transportation to food and waste management. Judges will be looking for examples of effectively sustainable practices that created a more responsible and eco-friendly experience for all participants.

41. Best Use of Tech

This category recognises events that effectively leveraged technology to enhance the overall experience for attendees. Entrants should showcase innovative and impactful uses of technology, including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and mobile applications, among others. They should also demonstrate how they effectively integrated technology to create a more interactive, engaging, and memorable experience for attendees. Judges will be looking for effective solutions to real problems, and why the technology was the solution.

TALENT CATEGORIES

42. Team of the Year (Agency)

This category recognises outstanding work from an agency team which has made a significant impact to their clients’ overall event campaigns, executions, and results. Entrants can use one particular campaign as a case study of evidence to form their entry or can use aspects from various projects, but all work must have taken place within the eligibility period and they must show evidence of:

Outstanding achievement in marketing campaigns and event project management
Creativity and innovation
Strategic thinking
Excellent execution
Successful results against objectives / KPIs
Any other exceptional achievements or work that especially merits this award. Client testimonials are welcomed.

43. Team of the Year (Brand)

This category recognises outstanding work from a brand-side marketing team which has made a significant impact to the organisation’s overall event campaigns, executions, and results. Entrants can use one particular campaign as a case study of evidence to form their entry or can use aspects from various projects, but all work must have taken place within the eligibility period and they must show evidence of:

Outstanding achievement in marketing campaigns and event project management
Creativity and innovation
Strategic thinking
Excellent execution
Successful results against objectives / KPIs
Any other exceptional achievements or work that especially merits this award. Manager / agency testimonials are welcomed.

NOT OPEN FOR ENTRY

44. Event Agency of the Year (Not for Entry)

Our very own Grand Prix du Jury, awarded to the event agency that scored the highest across all categories.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point

Points Allocation for Multiple Agencies:

Lead Agency: In cases where multiple agencies collaborate on a winning entry, the lead agency receives full points. Non-lead agencies on the same entry will each receive 25% of the points.
Joint Submission: If two agencies declare equal partnership on a winning entry, each agency will receive 50% of the points.

Tie-Breakers:

Most Gold: If total points are tied, the agency with the highest number of Gold awards wins.
Most Silver: If Gold awards are also tied, the agency with the highest number of Silver awards wins.
Highest Average Score: If a tie still persists, the agency with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.

45. Event Marketer of the Year (Not for Entry)

Our very own Grand Prix du Jury, awarded to the brand that scored the highest across all categories.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point

Tie-Breakers:

Most Gold: If total points are tied, the brand with the highest number of Gold awards wins.
Most Silver: If Gold awards are also tied, the brand with the highest number of Silver awards wins.
Highest Average Score: If a tie still persists, the brand with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.