Australian Event Awards opens 2023 program for entries

The organisers of the Australian Event Awards have advised that its 2023 program is now open for entries.

This year will also see, as a result industry consultation, 15 new categories and six reintroduced  categories featuring in the program - recognising the entire events industry and its creativity, contribution, innovation and excellence - making the program the biggest ever with 33 categories on offer.

Commenting on the expanded program, Australian Event Awards Managing Director, Ian Steigrad stated “taking on board the feedback from the industry, we revisited what was on offer and built a new set of categories to recognise areas of the industry not previously highlighted.

“Alongside the reworking of categories, the Awards have taken a new approach to the entry form and simplified the submission requirements. Also new in 2023, is a focus on the contribution made by industry suppliers.”

2023 will see a focus on contributions made by industry suppliers, offering recognition to venues and companies operating in the sectors of catering, theming and branding, event security, production, AV content, equipment hire, professional advice, professional services, new event products and freelancers operating in the industry.

Every National Winner from each of the Industry Awards has the opportunity to take home an additional recognition and award, the Event Supplier of the Year - a Headline award that is conferred directly by the Judging Panel.

With the reintroduction of some pre-covid categories as well as the inclusion some new opportunities, the Best Event award group of categories provide a diverse opportunity for all event types staged on Australia’s shores.

Advising that it was exciting to see the rebuild and recovery of the past 12 months with the return of Australia’s signature events plus an array of new ones, Brenda LaPorte, Co-Chair of the Industry Judging Panel, noted “we have reintroduced the event type specific categories to allow each event to pitch itself against like events.

“With borders open, we are seeing greater collaboration leading to increased creativity in the delivery of these events.”

Peter Rix, Co-Chair of the Industry Judging Panel, said the Achievement Award categories remain constant this year, adding “we appreciate that there are many of us working behind the scenes to pull off some of Australia’s best events.

“We have broadened the recognition following feedback from the industry to be recognised for their speciality.”

Alongside the reworking of categories, the Awards have taken a new approach to the entry form and simplified the submission requirements, making it easier than ever to enter while still ensuring the quality of the content gathered meets the criteria to gain recognition as a National Nominee or Winner.

Events, technical achievements, design, event services, venues, caterers, organisations and more can put forward their accomplishments made between 1st July 2022 and 30th June 2023.

Click here for entry details. 

Click here to view the full list of categories.

Images: 2022 winners Caroline James Events - National Winner of Small Event Management Organisation of the Year (top), Technical Direction Company's work on Vivid Sydney 2022 was the National Winner - Best Technical Achievement (middle) and the Bloody Long Walk National Series 2021/22, The Shift Corp was National Winner - Best Charity or Cause-Related Event (below).