The 2015 Australian Event Awards on November 17 recognised the best events and achievements across the industry, with a diverse group of winners.
Held at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, the night was hosted by Catriona Rowntree from Saxton Speakers Bureau and featured a slick entertainment showcase by SMA Productions, including their new act Swoon, and Australian singer Katie Noonan.
Winners were:
Australia’s Favourite Event
WINNER: Tottenham Hotspur FC International Football Tour, ANZ Stadium & Destination NSW
Chelsea FC v Sydney FC – International Football Friendly, ANZ Stadium & Destination NSW
Perth International Arts Festival Presents The Giants
50th Anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride, The University of Sydney
Best Sporting Event
WINNER: Chelsea FC v Sydney FC – International Football Friendly, ANZ Stadium & Destination NSW
Australian Open 2015, Tennis Australia
Santos Tour Down Under 2015
Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge
Best Tourism Event
WINNER: Vivid Sydney 2015, Destination NSW
Tottenham Hotspur FC International Football Tour, ANZ Stadium & Destination NSW
Santos Tour Down Under 2015
Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Best Charity or Cause-Related Event
WINNER: Hawaiian Ride for Youth 2015, Youth Focus
Emerald Ball for Kids Rehab at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
SA Hiking Challenge, The Jodi Lee Foundation
River4Ward, Sony Foundation
CIM Magazine Best Meeting or Conference
WINNER: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress 2014
Ocean of Wisdom Retreat by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
Cisco Live 2015, Australia
Mumbrella360 & Mumbrella Awards, Focal Attractions
EVENTelec Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event
WINNER: WOMADelaide 2015
Vivid Sydney 2015, Destination NSW
Perth International Arts Festival Presents The Giants
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Aida, Opera Australia
Doltone House Best Corporate Event
WINNER: Creative Innovation Asia Pacific 2015, Tania de Jong AM and Creative Universe
Grow by ANZ: The Keith Urban Experience & Jam Slam, Belle Laide Events
10th Anniversary of the Prix de Marie Claire Fashion & Beauty Awards 2015, Kat & Co
Westinghouse Launch 2015, BORNCURIOUS Events
Toyota Oh What A Feeling! Live, George P. Johnson Australia
Best Exhibition
WINNER: Gold Coast International Marine Expo
Australasian Gaming Expo, Gaming Technologies Association
Taste of Sydney 2015, Brand Events Australia
PAX Australia
Coates Hire Best Community Event
WINNER: Adelaide Writers’ Week
50th Anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride, The University of Sydney
The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia’s 175th Gala Celebration
Double Shot Coffee Fiesta 2015, City of Unley
Best New Event
WINNER: Glow Winter Arts Festival, City of Stonnington
La Dolce Italia, Eventcepts
generationYOU
Buskers by the Creek
Best Regional Event
WINNER: Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, Ord Valley Events
Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival
The Falls Music & Arts Festival, Marion Bay
Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Best Achievement in Design, Look or Theming
WINNER: Kat & Co for their work on the 10th Anniversary of the Prix de Marie Claire Fashion & Beauty Awards 2015
Yakusan for their work on The Hendrick’s Gin “Parlour of Curiosities” at Spectrum Now Festival & Dark MOFO Festival 2015
Ample Projects for their work on Aquatic Wonderland
The Electric Canvas for their work on Winter Wonderlights, Sovereign Hill’s Christmas in July 2014
Best Achievement in Marketing, Communication or Sponsorship
WINNER: ANZ Stadium & Destination NSW for their work on Tottenham Hotspur FC v Sydney FC – International Football Friendly
Fairfax Media for their work on Good Food Month presented by Citi
George P. Johnson Australia for their work on Toyota Oh What A Feeling! Live National Marketing & Community Engagement Campaign
OzParty Events for their work on The Ultimate Race – Sydney
Best Technical Achievement or Innovation
WINNER: Technick for their work on Baku 2015 European Games Opening & Closing Ceremonies
TDC – Technical Direction Company for their work on Vivid 2015
PCC Event Services for their work on The Falls Music & Arts Festival, Lorne 2014
The P.A. People for their work on Baku 2015 European Games Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Best Achievement in Venue Management
WINNER: Luna Park Sydney
SCG Events
Curzon Hall – Navarra Venues
Sydney Showground
Best Product or Service
WINNER: Blanco Food and Events for their work on Black Tie Barefoot BBQ
Perth Stadium Management
Event Workforce
The Venue Concierge
Best Education or Training Program
WINNER: Sydney TAFE
Sunshine Coast Council
William Angliss Institute
College of Event Management
Best Achievement in Entertainment
WINNER: David Atkins Enterprises for their work on the Ceremonies & Competition
Concert Series for Qatar 2015, Men’s Handball World Championship
Ding Productions
Young Achiever of the Year
WINNER: Monique O’Callaghan, nominated by Event Planet
Whitney Mitchell, nominated by Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
Patrick Gent, nominated by Westpac Group
Emma Milne, nominated by Gold Coast International Marine Expo
Event Manager of the Year
WINNER: Dani Potter, nominated by Surf Life Saving Australia
Jodi Pfitzner, nominated by Event Managers Australia
Clare Alexander, nominated by Property Council of Australia
Imogen Broomhead, nominated by Macquarie University
Event Management Company of the Year
WINNER: Kat & Co
George P. Johnson Australia
Brand Events Australia
Event Planet
The 2015 State or Territory Award
WINNER: South Australia
Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNERS:
Ron Walker AC CBE
Meri Took