The Australian Event Awards presentation returned to a regional centre after eight years (the previous one – Sunshine Coast). This year was Coffs Harbour’s turn with the awards presented at the Wiigulga Sports Complex.
The venue, owned by the City of Coffs Harbour, opened in December 2022 and is in Woolgoolga, a 20 to 30 min drive from the centre of Coffs Harbour.
Woolgoolga is best known for the Indian community and their fabulous Sikh temple, and the Indian restaurant across the road.
The multi-purpose sports venue is owned by The City of Coffs Harbour and is more used to hosting indoor sports such as basketball, netball and volleyball. Coffs Council were keen to showcase the venue for events as part of their support for the Awards and Symposium over three years.
Although rather cavernous, drapes were effectively used to make the venue more cosy (and provide back of house facilities) and there was still plenty of space for a very large stage to cater for the presentations and entertainment.
The production was slick, as was to be expected considering most of the suppliers have been supporting the awards since inception, including Chameleon (lighting), Coda Audio, Tri-Point Rigging, TDC (vision) and EventPix.
Once again producer Ian Stigrad showcased young, local talent to keep the crowd entertained.
Major awards this year went to:
- Event of the Year – Vivid Sydney
- Event Agency of the Year – ICMS Australasia
- Event Supplier of the Year – Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre
- Corporate Event Agency of the Year – Imagination
- Public Event Agency of the Yeat – NT Major Events Company
- Small Event Agency of the Year – We Are Gather
- PCO of the Year – ICMS Australasia
Long time judge and supporter of the awards, Peter Rix presented the Judges’ Special Award to Woodford Folk Festival in recognition of their perseverance, excellence and commitment.
Full list of Finalists and Winners
ASE spoke to a number of the winners
Best Sporting Event – Red Bull Hardline Tasmania 2025, The Shift Corp
Best Charity or Cause-Related Event – Divine Dining 2024, Big Fish Events Group, SA
Best Congress or Conference Less than 500 Delegates – CRIKEY 2025 – Critical Care Research
Best Association Event – ACM The Web Conference 2025, ICMS Australasia, NSW
Best Exhibition or Trade Show – AWS Summit Sydney 2025, Imagination, NSW
Best Incentive Event – Lenovo Asia Pacific President’s Club 2024, EWM & 35 Degrees North, QLD
Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event – Now or Never 2024, City of Melbourne
Best Small Event – Leapmotor C10 REEV Launch Event 2025, The Bite Project, SA
City Of Coffs Harbour Best New Event – Luminous 2025, Maitland City Council, NSW
Best Technical Achievement or Innovation – RWS Global for their work on Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Caterer of the Year – Laissez-Faire Catering
PCO of the Year – ICMS Australasia
Small Event Agency of the Year – We Are Gather
In-House Event Team the Year – Experience Melbourne, City of Melbourne
Public Event Agency of the Year – NT Major Events Company
Corporate Event Agency of the Year – Imagination
2025 State or Territory Award – South Australia
Australian Event of the Year – Vivid Sydney 2025, Destination NSW
Judges’ Special Award – Woodford Folk Festival
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