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The Australian Open, The Biennale of Sydney, Peats Ridge Festival and Carols by Candlelight SA have been named among Australia’s most innovative and outstanding events, announced at the 2009 Australian Event Awards in Sydney last night.
The judging panel of event industry experts, co-chaired by Johnny Allen and Sandy Hollway, was particularly impressed with the calibre and diversity of events from all across Australia, from the small-scale events in regional communities to the highly successful international event programs.
“From Australia’s work in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay to the community events in Warrnambool City Council, the 2009 Australian Event Awards is proud to reward excellence across all sectors of our thriving national events industry,” said Johnny Allen, Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Event Management.
“In the list of winners for 2009 we are also thrilled to see so many different types of events strongly represented, from high-profile industry conferences and local government initiatives, to public festivals and sporting events. We hope this structured, national Awards program will present opportunities for these segments of our talented events industry to strategically work together in the future.”
After winning the award for Best Cultural or Arts Event, The Biennale of Sydney also took home the most prestigious prize of the evening, being named the 2009 Australian Event of the Year.
Based on the theme ‘Revolutions: Forms that Turn’, the 16th Biennale exhibition was recognised by the judges as the most innovative event in Australia for last year, demonstrating an outstanding example of best practise in the events industry.
Australia’s place in the international events market was recognised in the category for Best Event Export, with Maxxam International receiving the award for their work in planning and executing the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay.
“Major events in
Australia
are increasingly breeding opportunities for a new export industry in events, with Australian experts and companies like Maxxam International being sort after by major events around the world,” said Sandy Hollway, formerly CEO of the Sydney Organising Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Event Director Shani Wood was presented with the very high-profile Event Manager of the Year Award, for her outstanding work on one of the world’s most successful new motor sport events, The Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
The Young Achiever of the Year Award went to Katerina Pitsikas, from DGSE (now DG3), who produced an incredible 28 events in 52 weeks, including 9 interstate and 2 overseas.
The South Australian Tourism Commission was awarded Best Tourism Event for Tour Down Under, an eight-day event combining Australia’s largest ever professional road cycling race with associated free events throughout Adelaide and forty towns in regional South Australia.
Nominated as a finalist in a record three categories, The Australian Open claimed the title of Best Sporting Event, attracting more than 600,000 fans to the Rod Laver Arena in 2009.
2Fish were also rewarded for their work with The Australian Open, taking home the award for Best Achievement in Design for their work on the Lacoste Palace activated across three separate sites throughout the Grand Slam Tennis tournament.
Other proud award recipients included the Adelaide Fringe Festival for Best Partnership by a Business or Media Outlet, the Avocado Group for Best Achievement in Catering, and Peats Ridge Festival for Best Achievement in Sustainability.
view and order photos from this event at EventPix
LIST OF WINNERS – 2009 Australian Event Awards
Australian Event of the Year
· 16th Biennale of Sydney: 'Revolutions – Forms That Turn' - Biennale of Sydney Ltd
Best Sporting Event
· Australian Open – Tennis Australia
Best Tourism Event
· Tour Down Under, UCI Pro Tour event – South Australian Tourism Commission
Best Charity or Cause-Related Event
· Carols By Candlelight – Carols by Candlelight SA Inc
CIM Best Meeting or Conference
· Trans-Tasman Endodontic Conference – Conexion Event Management Pty Ltd
Best Cultural or Arts Event
· 16th Biennale of Sydney: 'Revolutions – Forms That Turn' - Biennale of Sydney Ltd
Best Corporate Event
· Atlantic On Site Launch - Atlantic Group [v]
Best Community Event
· Fun4Kids Festival – Warrnambool City Council
Best Achievement in Technical Production
· Auditoria Pty Ltd for their work on World Youth Day 2008
Best Achievement in Design
· 2Fish Management for their work on The Lacoste Palace
Best Achievement in Catering
· Avocado Group for their work on Elizabeth Bay House Showcase
SPICE Best Venue
· Doltone House
Best Product or Service
· Decorative Events and Exhibitions – Decorative Events Pty Ltd
Best Education Program
· School of Management, University of South Australia
Best Export
· Maxxam International for their work on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay.
Best Poster or Flyer
· Creative Generation, State Schools Onstage - Queensland Department of Education and Training
Best Marketing Campaign
· Asia Pacific Screen Awards - Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ltd
Best Partnership by a Business or Media Outlet
· Adelaide Fringe 2009 - Adelaide Fringe Incorporated and BankSA
Young Achiever of the Year
· Katerina Pitsikas, David Grant Special Events
Best Achievement in Sustainability
· Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts and Music Festival - Peats Ridge Festival Pty Ltd
Event Manager of the Year
· Shani Wood
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