Australian Event Awards return with entries open, updated categories and new initiatives

Entries have opened for the 2021 Australian Event Awards with changes to the awards to reflect the Industry as it is in 2021 with news ways to acknowledge all entrants - rather than just finalists - for their resilience and a new ‘Australian Event Industry Month’ as a focal point for activities which highlight the industry’s strength and success.

The changes follow the Australian Event Awards Team having reached out to the industry across the country for input during March and April 2021 as to whether the awards should go ahead and what they should look like.

A wide range of judges, partners, past entrants, and wider members of the community provided their input. The resounding messages received were:

• The Event Awards should go ahead in 2021 as a show of strength and resilience of the Events Industry 
• There should be a substantial rework to reflect the nature of the changed industry
• The Event Awards should recognise the struggles of the industry, the achievements and resilience of all players in surviving the challenges brought about by COVID-19
• The Event Awards should strive to bring the industry together for consultation, collaboration and comradeship in whatever way is possible

Advising that it is in this spirit that the Australian Event Awards will go ahead in 2021, adapted to recognise and accommodate the transformations of the industry, Ian Steigrad, Managing Director of the Awards, stated “the resounding support and encouragement that we received from the Industry was fantastic to see.

“We will strive to do whatever we can to acknowledge the resilience and accomplishments of our Industry.”

Following detailed feedback, the Event Awards team has collaborated with the Co-Chairs and Judges to rework the Awards categories, with Judging Panel Co-Chair, Brenda LaPorte noting “the 2021 categories aim to be inclusive of all types of event delivery and to reflect the way the industry now operates.

“This will provide an opportunity for those who have produced virtual, hybrid or live events to showcase their accomplishments, highlight their innovations and acknowledge the changes they have had to make.”.

New additions to the Best Event categories in 2021 include Best Live or Hybrid Public Event / Best Virtual Public Event which recognises sporting events, tourism events, festivals, public exhibitions, etc that provide an innovative experience for the public and demonstrate excellence in their event delivery. Furthermore, Best Live or Hybrid Brand Event / Best Virtual Brand Event has been introduced in 2021 to recognise events designed to further the brand of a client by increasing sales, building brand loyalty or launching a new product.

In the Achievement sphere, the Event Awards have strived to be inclusive of innovations relating to the delivery of virtual (or hybrid) events. Specifically, Best Online Event Delivery Platform recognises an online platform that has demonstrated an outstanding and innovative achievement and has benefitted the industry. Likewise, Best Achievement in Studio Management has been introduced in 2021 to recognise exceptional studio management that has enhanced and supported the delivery of an event.

The Headline Categories have largely remained the same in 2021 aiming to recognise small or large event management organisations that have delivered events at an exceptional level.

Entries for 2021 are open now. Events (virtual, hybrid or live), technical triumphs, design, service, and organisational achievements from 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 are able to enter the 2021 Awards.

Click here for more information. 

Click here for the full list of categories head on the Event Awards website.

Image: Maske Music at the 2017 Australian Event Awards.