Over 850 top events industry professionals celebrated a spectacular night of awards at Grosvenor House – the most important night of networking and celebration for the industry, rewarding the most creative, inspirational and innovative international events from 2007.

The Eventia International Awards honoured outstanding business-to-business and business-to-consumer events including corporate events, product launches, company exhibitions, presentations, hospitality, celebratory events, meetings and conferences of all sizes and formats.  

This year saw a new Agency of the Year category launched and an impressive collection of new entrants who joined some of the biggest names in the industry as competitors for these prestigious awards.

An Outstanding Achievement Award was won by Nigel Cooper, Divisional Managing Director for the Travel & Events Division within Motivcom plc. Nigel is regarded as an industry authority on the subject of developing, implementing and directing large scale events and travel programmes. He makes regular contributions to industry press comment and is a sought-after speaker. From 2005 to 2007 Nigel was Eventia Chairman and he was voted number One in C&IT’s most recent Power 50.

Agency of the Year is Banks Sadler, and the prestigious Platinum Award was won by AddingValue for Vodafone Courchevel 1850 – The Phenomenon, an exclusive incentive programme for partners of Vodafone in a world class resort with access to one of the largest ski areas in the world, expert tuition and a phenomenal après ski programme. 

The prize draw raised over £6,500 for the Mziki Village in KwaZulu-Natal which will be distributed through the charity Habitat for Humanity. The main prize was a trip of a lifetime sponsored by South Africa Tourism and includes a visit to the Mziki-village for the winner.  Other prizes included VIP tickets sponsored by Nestle to see Kylie Minogue perform at the 02 arena later this year.

Eventia Executive Director Izania Downie commented: “We chose this charity in order to continue the good work started during CIT’s CSR Challenge.  I’m delighted that we managed to raise much-needed funds for a cause that is so close to the hearts of everyone in our challenge team – especially mine.  To have met the people whose lives will be changed through this funding makes this prize even more special.  The trip winner - Mark Taylor from Grass Roots Group - is someone who will really appreciate visiting the village and reporting back to us on the progress being made.”

The following Gold Awards were given:

Most Creative use of a Small Budget: DNA productions

Most Creative use of a Venue’s Facilities: Carlson Meetings & Events

Best Use of Logistics: Jack Morton Worldwide and Banks Sadler

Best Promotional Communication: AddingValue

Best Product Launch: Line Up

Public Event of the Year: BCD Meetings & Incentives

Best Celebratory Event: DRP Group

Best Event Demonstrating CSR: Grimaldi Forum Monaco and Canon Europe

Most Creative use of a Destination: MCI UK

Most Effective Delivery of ROI: BI

Best Conference or Congress Short Haul (under six hours from the UK): WorldEvents

Best Conference or Congress Long Haul (over six hours from the UK): Jack Morton Worldwide

Best Incentive Travel Programme Short Haul  (under six hours from the UK) – AddingValue

Best Incentive Travel Programme Long Haul (over six hours from the UK): MCI UK

Best Integrated Solution: instinctif

Best Consumer Marketing Programme: P&MM

Agency of the Year: Banks Sadler

Platinum Award: AddingValue

For a complete list of all winners, including Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards and Finalists, please visit: www.eventia.org.uk/internationalawards.

“These awards recognise the best and most innovative internationally-based events in our industry.  Judging the Eventia International Awards can only be described as an amazing experience and it is great to see just how stringent and fair the process is,” comments Eventia Executive Director Izania Downie.

She adds: “The high quality of entries impressed me, and the results tonight demonstrate the competitive and creative nature of our industry.  Tonight’s finalists and winners serve as testimony to the energy and enthusiasm that is currently driving face-to-face communication to the forefront of marketing strategy.  Adding to the prestige of the awards is the fact that this is the best night of the year to network and celebrate; the guest list is a virtual who’s who of the events industry.  This event is so popular people are trying to get tickets right up until the last minute.” 

After the formalities, champagne and cocktails flowed in the Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel with dancing to Young Guns band Reel Deal and DJ until the wee small hours.