Events nominated across the exhibition, conference and incentive categories include Australia’s largest ever inbound incentive, the Amway China 30th Anniversary Leadership Seminar, held earlier this year in Melbourne, the week-long festival for creative industries, SXSW Sydney, and the largest conference to be held in Sydney since the pandemic, the International Astronautical Congress held at the end of September and the start of October.
Several events for the business events industry also made the cut, including the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME).
As far as companies and organisations go, PCO MCI Australia leads the pack with six nominations, much helped by its role as organiser for the International Astronautical Congress, for which it garnered half of its finalist spots.
Exhibition companies RX and National Media are tied for the second highest number of nominations, with five each, while AV1 has four nominations and Hannover Fairs, Arinex, ICC Sydney, Adelaide Convention Centre and Business Events Perth all have three each.
The awards are run by the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), with national winners to be announced on December 4 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Only members of ABEA are eligible to enter the awards.
“Our finalists highlight the ambition and skill that drives the business events industry forward,” said ABEA’s chair, Peter King.
“Their achievements strengthen the foundations for long-term growth, talent development and global competitiveness. It’s a privilege to celebrate the people and organisations shaping our sector.”
Winners will be announced across 21 categories covering exhibitions, conferences, incentives, venues, organisers, bureaus and industry suppliers on December 4. Awards recognising technology, sustainability and marketing for business events are also up for grabs, as are awards for the best individual industry members – from future leaders to operations, business development, marketing and sales professionals and, of course, event organisers.
See the full list of finalists here.
