EEAA 2017 Awards recognise industry excellence and service

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) 25th annual Awards for Excellence have honoured the industry’s highest achieving shows, venues, suppliers, teams and individuals, with special tributes paid to long-time industry champions Malu Barrios and Jo-Anne Kelleway.

At its special 25th anniversary gala event, held at Melbourne Museum last evening, the Association’s community celebrated the important role of individuals to the success of the Association and the wider business event industry.

International Convention Centre Sydney’s (ICC Sydney) Malu Barrios was named the inaugural winner of the Unsung Hero of the Industry for her contribution over many years and Info Salon Group’s Jo-Anne Kelleway was recognised for her decades of service to the Association becoming the 2017 recipient of the Trevor Riddell President’s Award.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio, commended the dedication, leadership and invaluable contributions of these two long-time industry women.

The new award for Unsung Hero of the Industry attracted three nominees: Malu Barrios from ICC Sydney; Jan van den Berg from Designteam and Eden Fridman from Expo Direct.

DiMascio stated “on behalf of the EEAA community, we congratulate Malu Barrios and Jo-Anne Kelleway on their award wins.

“Our industry has many talented people - men and women who have dedicated years of service to our sector. Tonight we honour two stand-out women whose contribution is unequalled. They are exemplary role models and most deserving winners.”

Barrios was recognised for her service over the past four decades during which, most recently, she played a critical role in supporting the exhibition industry through the challenging three years at the temporary exhibition centre at Glebe Island.

She has since transitioned many of those clients to the new ICC Sydney where she has also played a critical role in re-establishing their shows at the new venue.

EEAA President, Spiro Anemogiannis, presented the Trevor Riddell President’s Award to Jo-Anne Kelleway, recognising her service to the Association.

Anemogiannis advised “Jo-Anne was one of the Association’s first and youngest board members and has been tireless in her commitment to the Association over the past 25 years.

“She is an outstanding advocate for the Association always on the lookout for opportunities to build our reputation and connections - and her energy and vitality is unsurpassed.

“I can think of no-one more worthy of this recognition and I am honoured to present her with this award.”

Others honoured at the Awards included industry rising star Craig Mather from Ungerboeck Software International, this year’s Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award recipient.

DiMascio added “it’s pleasing to see the number of talented young members coming through our industry. The Association is proud to recognise their achievements and to support our future leaders through this award.”

The other nominees acknowledged as future leaders were Nina Shand from Diversified Communications Australia, Cathy Hammond from Exhibitions and Trade Fairs and Kiarna Harvey from National Media.

2017 EEAA Award for Excellence Winners

Best Show 
Winner: Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February 2017 - Reed Exhibitions Australia 
 
Trevor Riddell President’s Award
Winner: Jo-Anne Kelleway – Info Salons

Unsung Hero
Winner: Malu Barrios - ICC Sydney

Richard Geddes Young Achiever 
Winner: Craig Mather - Ungerboeck Software International

CATEGORY WINNERS: 
Best Consumer Show over 10,000 metre² 
Winner: Good Food & Wine Show Sydney 2017 - Talk2 Media & Events 

Best Trade Show over 10,000 metre² 
Winner: Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February 2017 - Reed Exhibitions Australia 
Highly commended: DesignBUILD 2017 - Diversified Communications Australia 

Best Trade Show under 10,000 metre² 
Winner: buildnz | designex & The National Safety Show - XPO Exhibitions
 
Best New Show
Winner: Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2017 - ESL Australia
Highly commended: Accounting Business Expo - National Media 

Best Association Event 
Winner: PAX Australia 2016 for Interactive Games & Entertainment Association - Reed Exhibitions Australia
Highly commended: PacPrint2017/Visual Impact - Visual Connections Australia

Best Custom Stand 
Winner: Cisco at Cisco Live! 2017 - Exhibit Systems 

Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Winner: Good Food & Wine Show Sydney 2017 - Talk2 Media & Events
Highly commended: AUSPACK 2017 - Exhibitions and Trade Fairs

Best New Product or Service 
Winner: Feeding Your Performance - ICC Sydney
Highly commended: Exhibitor Service Centre - Ungerboeck Software International

Best Show Team
Winner: Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2017 - ESL Australia
Highly commended: National 4x4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo - Exhibitions and Trade Fairs

Best Supplier – Services or Products 
Winner: Expo Direct
Highly commended: Harry the hirer

Best Supplier Team – Event 
Winner: ExpoNet - 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems
Highly commended: Exhibit Systems - Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2016
 
Best Venue Team 
Winner: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress 2016
Highly commended: Luna Park Venues, Sydney - Amway China Leadership Seminar 2017
 
Best Innovation in Event Tech
Winner: Konduko NFC Engagement Platform - Info Salons

Event Partners included FABframe, Harry the hirer, Museum Spaces, Tradevent Solutions, Sydney Showground, Ungerboeck Software International, Quest Apartment Hotels and Agility Fairs & Events.

Images: The 2017 EEAA Awards for Excellence winners (top), Jo-Anne Kelleway of Info Salons receives her Trevor Riddell President’s Award (middle) and Craig Mather of Ungerboeck Software International receives the  Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award (below).

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