Eighty-four finalists have been announced for the Australian Business Events Association’s (ABEA) awards program across 23 categories.
Adelaide Convention Centre was the most nominated company, with six nominations, while MCI Australia and exhibition company RX received five nominations each, with the latter’s nominations split between its Australian and global businesses. ICC Sydney has been nominated four times.
“It’s fantastic to see the calibre of entries coming through this year and the incredible work happening right across our industry,” said ABEA’s CEO, Melissa Brown.
“Our finalists represent the very best of Australian business events, and their achievements demonstrate the creativity and expertise that make our sector so strong.
“A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s awards and took the time to prepare a submission.
“Congratulations to all our finalists. We look forward to recognising and celebrating your achievements in Adelaide this December,” she said.
Winners in the Australian Business Events Awards will be announced at a gala dinner ceremony at Adelaide Convention Centre on December 2 on the final night of the ABEA national conference.
The awards underwent some changes this year, including the introduction of a new category to recognise Australia’s best corporate event.
The full list of finalists for the Australian Business Events Awards in 2026:
Individuals
Belinda Iseppi, Destination North Coast
Codie Berg, ICC Sydney
Edward Callen, Adelaide Convention Centre
Felicity Holusa, Moreton Hire
Holly Tankard, RX Global
Katherine Webber, Managing Australian Destinations
Kirsty Boase, Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Stevie Weine, KWY Aboriginal Corporation
Tiffany Lo, MCI Australia
Charlotte Fell, AFAC
Damien Gaffney, GEL Events
Elissa Lulan, MCI Australia
Gemma Stonem, Lüp Events
Janet Hamilton, Cairns Convention Centre
Kathryn Pullman, Adelaide Convention Centre
Sarah Crowe, National Youth Science Forum
Tania Lopez, HLB Mann Judd
Tim Lynden, AV1
Events
2026 re-aWAken Gala Dinner, Business Events Perth
AFAC26 Conference & Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ, Hannover Fairs Australia
All Energy Australia, RX Australia
ARBS 2026, ARBS
AusRAIL PLUS 2025, MCI Australia
Polestar 5 Launch, Designteam
Encore production for Amway China Incentive in Bangkok
Food & Hospitality Week 2026, National Media
The 40th Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), MCI Australia
The Little Food Market Melbourne, The Big Design Group
This is Gold Coast 2026, Experience Gold Coast
Women Deliver Conference 2026, Melbourne Convention Bureau
22nd International Symposium on Paediatric Neuro-Oncology, ASN Events
AIME 2026
Cellar Door Fest 2026, Adelaide Convention Centre
FoodPro 2026, Diversified Australia
Global Gathering 2026 (GG26) Gold Coast, Incentevo
Good Food & Wine Show Sydney 2026, Spectapular Enterprises
LambEx26, 28national
PAX Aus, RX Global
Mega Lekker Escape, Forum Group Events
GPCE, RX Australia
The First Nations Therapeutic Responses Summit 2026: Creating a Space for Innovation, KWY Aboriginal Corporation
Workplace Health and Safety Show, National Media
Initiatives
Community Impact Program: Turning Events into Lasting Community Impact, Adelaide Convention Centre
BCEC Reusable Food Delivery Initiative, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
A Quick Yarn Podcast Studios, ICC Sydney
Supporting Biodiversity: From Rooftop to Restoration, Adelaide Convention Centre
15th IFEA World Endodontic Congress 2026 Global Registration Campaign, Arinex
Burii, Cairns Convention Centre
CventIQ™, AI for Events That Perform, Cvent
MHIAA at ARBS, Designteam
Team Defence Australia Pavilions, Designteam
Connect Create, ICC Sydney
The VIP Lounge presented by Singapore Airlines, Spectapular Enterprises
Tourism Australia Stand, ATE 2026, Exhibit Systems
Venues and companies
AA&P Events & PR
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Cairns Convention Centre
Centrepiece, Melbourne Park
Darwin Convention Centre
Destination North Coast business events team
Forum Group Events & Marketing
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
Harry the Hirer
Laissez-Faire Catering
Le Montage, Navarra Venues
MCI Australia
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Novatech Creative Event Technology
Party Higher
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Saxton Group
Adelaide Convention Centre
AV1
Black Diamond Agency
Business Events Perth
Devonport Convention Centre at the paranaple
ExpoNet
ICC Sydney
Lüp Events
Moreton Hire
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre
Sydney Showground
