Sixty finalists were presented across 15 categories with winners named for outstanding shows, venues, suppliers, teams and individuals at the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) annual Awards for Excellence.
Held at Myer Mural Hall Melbourne, special tributes were also paid to EEAA’s rising stars and unsung heroes with one winner inducted to the Hall of Fame.
Felicity Zadro, managing director at Zadro Agency, was named the Unsung Hero for her contribution to the events industry over the last two decades.
Aiden Hippensteel, event operations floor manager at ICC Sydney, was awarded the Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award for his outstanding organisation and leadership skills. His volunteer work with the Rural Fire Service was also commended.
Leighton Wood, CEO at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, received the Trevor Riddell President’s Award for his outstanding contribution to the EEAA Board and the Association’s sustainability project.
“Leighton joined the Board this year and has taken a leadership role in setting the agenda to build a more environmentally sustainable industry,” said EEAA president Spiro Anemogiannis.
“He has brought the leadership work of his own organisation and personal passion to drive the EEAA’s sustainability framework.”
Exhibit Systems – Cisco at Cisco Live! 2019 entered the Hall of Fame with their third consecutive win for Best Custom Stand.
Reed Exhibitions Australia won this year’s Best Show Award for PAX Australia 2018, a three-day festival, curated and delivered by ‘gamers’ for the global interactive gaming community.
The Best Corporate Citizenship Award was won by the ICC Sydney for their CSR initiatives and Legacy Program. Adopting several United Nations “Sustainable Development Goals”.
The Most Creative Innovation in Event “Experience” Delivery was awarded to Salesforce for the Salesforce World Tour 2019.
The 2019 EEAA Awards for excellence winners are:
BEST CONSUMER SHOW over 10,000m2
Reed Exhibitions Australia – PAX Australia 2018
BEST TRADE SHOW over 10,000m2
Talk2 Media & Events – Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event
Highly Commended: Exhibitions and Trade Fairs – AUSPACK 2019
BEST ASSOCIATION EVENT
Deutsche Messe and AFAC – AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ
MOST OUTSTANDING MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Exhibitions and Trade Fairs – 2019 National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo
BEST SUPPLIER – SERVICES OR PRODUCTS
Sprintr by AV1
Highly Commended: Agility Fairs & Events
BEST INNOVATION IN EVENT TECH
Harry the hirer – Harrys Concierge
BEST NEW PRODUCT OR SERVICE
Decorative Events & Exhibitions – Premium Suites
Highly Commended: AFI Branding – Dynamic Lightbox
BEST CUSTOM STAND
Exhibit Systems – Cisco at Cisco Live! 2019 – (Hall of Fame)
MOST CREATIVE INNOVATION IN EVENT “EXPERIENCE” DELIVERY
Salesforce – Salesforce World Tour 2019
RICHARD GEDDES YOUNG ACHIEVER
Aiden Hippensteel from ICC Sydney
Highly Commended: Lakisha Di Valentino from Diversified Communications Australia
Highly Commended: Nikki Witman from Talk2 Media & Events
BEST TRADE SHOW under 10,000m2
Reed Exhibitions Australia – National Manufacturing Week 2019
BEST CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
ICC Sydney – CSR initiatives and Legacy Program
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Felicity Zadro
BEST VENUE TEAM
ICC Sydney – SIBOS 2018
BEST SUPPLIER TEAM – EVENT
ExpoNet – 17th SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit
SHOW OF THE YEAR
Reed Exhibitions Australia – PAX Australia 2018
TREVOR RIDDELL PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Leighton Wood – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Vice President of the EEAA Board
