City of Perth, TDC, Parrtjima and Santos Tour Down Under among 2024 National Events Award winners

The 2024 Australian Event Awards were held on 23rd October 2024 at Sydney’s le Montage venue during which the winners were announced for an array of categories.

The Awards program is the only opportunity for Australian event professionals to compete directly right across the nation and across all facets of the industry to establish which are Australia’s best events and event-related goods, services and innovations.

The City of Perth shone bright at the Awards (pictured above), securing two prestigious trophies. The historic Perth Town Hall was named Venue of the Year while the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail 2023 won the Best Community Event.

Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the awards were recognition of the hard work the Council and staff had put into to making Perth the events heart of Western Australia.

Lord Mayor Zempilas noted “The 2023 Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail was the biggest on record with half a million people - a 20% increase - enjoying the event across the Christmas season compared to the year before.

“The event has also been important for City businesses attracting patrons to our bars, cafes and restaurants as well as people taking the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the trail.”

The Lord Mayor said the win for the Town Hall was a testament to the work and investment the City had put into the refurbishment of this historic landmark and critical events venue.

The Technical Direction Company (TDC) team (pictured above) won Production Company of the Year. Projects for TDC this year included Vivid Sydney, Sydney New Year’s Eve, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Opening and Closing Ceremonies, The Voice and Australia’s Got Talent. The judges commented “from sporting to television to live events, you’re across every facet of event production in what you offer – an incredibly diverse body of work – congratulations. The flawless execution of events and productions, the celebration of your team, and dedication to continued education for your team sets you apart. You are a powerhouse in the industry.”

The Best Sporting Event was awarded to South Australian Tourism Commission for Santos Tour Down Under 2024 – which delivered a free cycling festival, a cycling race at the highest level and a huge economic contributor driving over $87 million in attendee spend in 2024. The judges commented “the unique ways you look after the athletes, the way you conducted so many innovative and new ancillary events and exceeding your stakeholders’ needs positions you as a leader in the industry.”

The Northern Territory took home the State or Territory Award in 2024. Parrtjima Australia’s two wins contributed to the NT’s success, as did the four national nominees that were shortlisted in other best event categories. A big moment for the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Major Events Company's Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2024 (pictured above) secured the award fot best tourism event.

The AIATSIS Summit 2024 won Best Congress or Conference for 500 delegates or over. This year’s summit had record attendance, bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, leaders and youth together with a variety of stakeholders from academics to legal experts, galleries and museums to collaborate on issues that matter most to First Nations peoples.
The judges noted “The subject matter and the way it was put together is to be commended. It was clear what you wanted to achieve, and your delegate feedback clearly demonstrated that these were achieved to a high level of satisfaction.”

A full list of Nominees and Winners can be found below.

2024
Best Sporting Event
WINNER: Santos Tour Down Under 2024, South Australian Tourism Commission

betr Darwin Triple Crown 2024, Northern Territory Major Events Company

Best Tourism Event

WINNER: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2024, Northern Territory Major Events Company

Vivid Sydney 2024, Destination NSW

Tasmania’s Taste of Summer 2023

Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail 2023, City of Perth, WA

Best Charity or Cause-Related Event

WINNER: The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, The Perfect Events Group, National Event

Queensland Holocaust Museum Opening Event 2023, Alive Events Agency

The BrainChild Ball 2023, Known Associates Events, Western Australia

Sapphire Dinner 2024, Scope Productions, NSW

Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2024, Event Operations Group Australia, VIC

State or Territory Nominees and Winner

WINNER ACT: 3 Peaks Challenge 2024, VEE Agency

QLD:Sapphire Gala 2023, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Sapphire Committee, The Tides Creative Production & Uno Momento

NSW: RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2024, LiveWorks

VIC: 3 Peaks Challenge 2024, VEE Agency

Best Congress or Conference Less than 500 Delegates

WINNER: Volvo Car Australia Retailer Business Conference and Awards of Excellence 2024, EWM, NSW

Venue Safety & Security Exchange Conference 2023, VSX Safety & Security Pty Ltd, NSW

Smokeball Spark Conference 2024, Smokeball Australia, NSW

Don’t Forget The Bubbles 2023, ICMS Australasia, South Australia

Best Congress or Conference 500 Delegates or Over

WINNER: AIATSIS Summit 2024, Spinifex Events, VIC

Association of School Business Administrators National Conference 2023, ICMS Australasia, VIC

West Tech Fest 2023, Known Associates Australia, Western Australia

South by South West Sydney 2023, NSW

TechnologyOne Company Kick-Off 2023, Seeker Agency, Queensland

State or Territory Nominees

WA: State of Social 2023, Coffey & Tea

Best Exhibition or Trade Show

WINNER: AIME 2024, Talk2 Media, VIC

Mansfield Hunting & Fishing Outdoor Expo 2024, Mansfield Shire Council, VIC

Navarra Best Corporate Event

WINNER: Sunrise Australia 2024, Blackbird & The Tides Creative Production, NSW

IGA Victoria State Conference 2024, Directions Conference & Incentive Management, Tasmania

RMIT Graduation 2023, Seeker Agency, Victoria

FIFA Women’s World Cup Celebration Dinner 2023, Seeker Agency, New South Wales

Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Conference 2024, AA&P Events

Best Brand Event

WINNER: AWS Summit Sydney 2024, Imagination Australia, NSW

CommBank Momentum 2024, Imagination Australia, New South Wales

Jaguar Land Rover Defender House 2023, Seeker Agency, New South Wales

Suzuki Swarm 2024, The Shift Corp, National Event

Harley-Davidson National HOG Rally 2023, The Shift Corp, South Australia

State or Territory Nominees and Winner

WINNER VIC: SHEIN x Klarna Styletopia 2024, VEE Agency, VIC

Best Community Event

WINNER: Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail 2023, City of Perth, WA

Sydney Disability Expo 2023, ImpactInstitute, New South Wales

Good Friday SuperClash 2024, MKTG Sport and Entertainment, Victoria

AFL Footy Festival – Gather Round 2024, Seeker Agency, South Australia

Shine On Gimuy 2023, Shine On Productions, Queensland

State or Territory Nominees and Winner

WINNER ACT: AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market 2023, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

NSW: Elevate the Stage 2023

VIC: Northcote Rise Festival 2024, The Perfect Events Group

WA: Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival 2024, City of Perth

QLD: Moreton Bay PrideFest 2024, Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism

Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event

WINNER: Vivid Sydney 2024, Destination NSW

Now or Never 2023, City of Melbourne, Victoria

Illuminate Adelaide 2023, South Australia

Bluesfest Byron Bay 2024, New South Wales

Joondalup Festival 2024, City of Joondalup, Western Australia

State or Territory Nominees and Winner

WINNER NT: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2024, Northern Territory Major Events Company

WINNER QLD: North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) 2023, Townsville City Council

NT: Barunga Festival 2024, Bagala Aboriginal Corporation

VIC:LIT 2024, Wyndham City Council

WA: The Ice Cream Factory 2023, Bar Pop Management Pty Ltd

QLD: Reef Lights 2023, LASERVISION

Best Small Regional Event

WINNER: The Curated Plate 2023, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, QLD

Radiance Rockhampton 2023, LASERVISION, Queensland

Best Regional Event

WINNER: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2024, Northern Territory Major Events Company

Bridgerton in Bowral 2024, Netflix, New South Wales

Pako Festa 2024, Cultura, Victoria

Deni Ute Muster 2023, Deni Play On The Plains Festival, New South Wales

North Australian Festival of Arts 2023, Townsville City Council, Queensland

Best Small Event

WINNER: Lunar New Year Canberra 2024, Dionysus, ACT

Gades Arcade 2023, MKTG Sport and Entertainment, Victoria

Darwin International Laksa Festival 2023, Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, Northern Territory

Subi Blooms 2024, City of Subiaco, Western Australia

Winter Street Party 2024, Wyndham City Council, Victoria

State or Territory Nominees and Winner

WINNER NSW: Blacktown City Medieval Fayre 2024, Blacktown City Council

WINNER SA: Aldinga Airshow 2024, Aldinga Aviation

Best New Event

WINNER: Now or Never 2023, City of Melbourne

Liquid Light 2023, Darwin Waterfront Corporation, Northern Territory

Sleep’s Hill Tunnel 2024, Adelaide Fringe, South Australia

REA Ready 2024, Seeker Agency, New South Wales

Lotterywest City of Light Show 2023, City of Perth, Western Australia

State or Territory Nominees

VIC: TruckShowX 2024, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia

NSW: Nocturnal – A Scenic World x LASERVISION production

Best Achievement in Design

WINNER: Artists in Motion for their work on Dream Circus 2023

The Electric Canvas for their work on Boorloo Heritage Festival 2024

This Space Creative for their work on Taste of Summer Tasmania 2023/2024

Stagekings for their work on FOX Sports USA FIFA WWC Broadcast Studios 2023

Best Export

WINNER: Artists in Motion for their 2023/2024 International Achievements

Venue of the Year

WINNER: Perth Town Hall

Bondi Pavilion

Caterer of the Year

WINNER: Laissez-faire Catering

Theming, Branding or Styling Company of the Year

WINNER: En Pointe Events

Phenomenon Event Services

This Space Creative

Production Company of the Year

WINNER: TDC – Technical Direction Company

Connected Event Group

Lux Events

Novatech Creative Event Technology

Hire Company of the Year

WINNER: EVENTelec

Service Company of the Year

WINNER: Event Operations Group Australia

Motti and Smith Events

Clean Vibes Pty Ltd

PCO of the Year

WINNER: Nectar Creative Communications

GEMS Event Management Australia

ICMS Australasia

The Association Specialists

Small Event Management Company of the Year

WINNER: Dionysus

VEE Agency

Atelier – House of Events

Nectar Creative Communications

Blu Event Productions

Public Event Management Company of the Year

WINNER: The Shift Corp

Seeker Agency

Corporate Event Management Company of the Year

WINNER: Alive Events Agency

Lux Events

Seeker Agency

Event Supplier of the Year

WINNER: TDC – Technical Direction Company

En Pointe Events

EVENTelec

Event Operations Group Australia

Perth Town Hall

Laissez-faire Catering

Event Management Company of the Year

WINNER: Dionysus

The Shift Corp

Alive Events Agency

Nectar Creative Communications

Australian Event of the Year

WINNER: AIATSIS Summit 2024, Spinifex Events, VIC

The Curated Plate 2023, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, QLD

AWS Summit Sydney 2024, Imagination Australia, NSW

Santos Tour Down Under 2024, South Australian Tourism Commission

AIME 2024, Talk2 Media, VIC

Volvo Car Australia Retailer Business Conference and Awards of Excellence 2024, EWM, NSW

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2024, Northern Territory Major Events Company

Lunar New Year Canberra 2024, Dionysus, ACT

Now or Never 2023, City of Melbourne, VIC

Vivid Sydney 2024, Destination NSW

Sunrise Australia 2024, Blackbird & The Tides Creative Production, NSW

Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail 2023, City of Perth, WA

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, The Perfect Events Group, National Event

Lifetime Achievement Recipients
Brenda LaPorte
Roslyn McLeod OAM