AusLeisure

The Australian Event Awards has opened for entries, unveiling a number of exciting changes for 2015.

Among the changes for the annual events industry awards program is the appointment of Opera Australia Chief Executive Craig Hassall as co-chair of judges after industry veteran John Allen chose to step down from co-chair duties.

Acknowledging John Allen’s input, Australian Event Awards Managing Director Ian Steigrad explained “we are sincerely indebted to John for his guidance, support, expertise and hard work in helping to develop the Event Awards and to ensure its growth in its first few years.

“The Event Awards wouldn’t be the same without his input.

“We’re excited to have Craig on board this year as our new co-chair of judges. “

His experience and knowledge make him an ideal candidate to work with Sandy Hollway to oversee the tough decisions to select the best of the best in Australia’s events industry.”

Hassall has an impressive record in the performing arts and events industries, both in Australia and overseas. His former roles include Deputy General Manager of the Sydney Theatre Company, General Manager of Image, Special Events and Olympic Arts Festivals for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games which mounted the largest ever festival in Australia, Chief Executive of the English National Ballet and Chief Operating Officer for British promoter Raymond Gubbay.

Entries for the 20 categories in the 2015 Event Awards will be accepted for any event held in Australia between 1st July 2014 and 30th June 2015 and any achievement in the events industry by Australians both in Australia and overseas during the same time period.

There are three major changes to award categories this year. Critical acclaim will meet public praise for Australia’s Favourite Event with contenders for this award now comprised of all public event finalists of the Best Event Categories. Public vote will decide the outcome of the award, which will be the final accolade on awards night, replacing Australian Event of the Year.

For the first time in 2015, what was Event Organiser of the Year category is split into separate categories for individuals and companies, in recognition of the vast differences in skills and attributes required to win this award from an individual and an organisational perspective.

Changes to the judging criteria this year take into account the size, scope, budget and unique challenges faced by each event or achievement, creating a more level playing field for major and niche or local events competing in the same categories.

Other changes in 2015 include:

• Modification in the criteria for the Achievement Categories to include Australian work overseas;

• An assessment of the sustainability of each event or achievement added to the criteria for all categories, reflecting the increased importance of sustainability as an essential consideration rather than an added extra;

• A reduced word limit to make the awards easier to enter than ever

Award entries close on 10th August with finalists to be announced on 14th September and public voting for Australia’s Favourite Event opening on 5th October.

The winners will be announced on the Australian Event Awards Night of Nights on Tuesday 17th November at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont.

The Australian Event Awards recognises the entire events and conferences industry in Australia, regardless of professional membership bodies or event size, location or audience. The judging panel is made up of veterans and experts of the Australian events industry.

The full list of award categories for 2015 are:

Best Event Awards
• Best Sporting Event
• Best Tourism Event
• Best Charity or Cause Related Event
• CIM Magazine Best Meeting or Conference
• Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event
• Doltone House Best Corporate Event
• Best Exhibition
• Coates Hire Best Community Event
• Best New Event
• Best Regional Event

Achievement Awards
• Best Achievement in Design, Look or Theming
• Best Achievement in Marketing, Communication or Sponsorship
• Best Technical Achievement or Innovation
• Best Achievement in Venue Management
• Best Product or Service
• Best Education or Training Program 
• Young Achiever of the Year
• Event Manager of the Year
• Event Management Company of the Year
 
Headline Awards
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2015 State or Territory Award 
• Australia’s Favourite Event

Visit www.eventawards.com.au for more information on The Australian Event Awards. Entries are submitted online through the Entry Portal on the Event Awards website. 

Images (from top) show 2014 Australian Event Awards category winners Byron Bay Bluefest, Vintage Photo Booths and Vivid Sydney.

13th November 2014 - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NAMED AUSTRALIA’S TOP EVENT, SYDNEY SHOWGROUNDS NAMED BEST VENUE

29th July 2013 - SYDNEY TO HOST AUSTRALIAN EVENT AWARDS FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS

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