Following industry consultation, the Australian Event Awards Team have introduced 15 new categories and reintroduced 6 categories to recognise the entire events industry, their creativity, contribution, innovation and excellence. In total, the 2023 Event Awards have 33 categories on offer – the biggest Event Awards yet.

“Taking on board the feedback from the industry, we revisited what was on offer and built a new set of categories to recognise areas of the industry not previously highlighted. Organised under four new sub-groups, the Awards offers 14 Best Event Awards, 4 Achievement Awards, 11 new Industry Awards and 4 Management Awards. In addition, 5 Headline awards will be conferred directly by the judging panel, meaning some of the Nominees will be walking away with two titles and two trophies” said Ian Steigrad, Managing Director, Australian Event Awards.

New in 2023, is a focus on the contribution made by industry suppliers. The new Industry Awards offer recognition to venues and companies operating in the sectors of catering, theming and branding, event security, production, AV content, equipment hire, professional advice, professional services, new event products and freelancers operating in the industry. Every National Winner from each of the Industry Awards has the opportunity to take home an additional recognition and award, the Event Supplier of the Year – a Headline award that is conferred directly by the Judging Panel.

With the reintroduction of some pre-covid categories as well as the inclusion some new opportunities, the Best Event award group of categories provide a diverse opportunity for all event types staged on Australia’s shores.

“It is exciting to see the rebuild and recovery of the past 12 months with the return of Australia’s loved signature events plus an array of new ones. We have reintroduced the event type specific categories to allow each event to pitch itself against like events. With borders open, we are seeing greater collaboration leading to increased creativity in the delivery of these events”, said Brenda LaPorte, Co-Chair of the Industry Judging Panel. Chosen from the National Winners in each of the Best Event Award categories, one winner will be awarded the title, Australian Event of the Year.

Peter Rix, Co-Chair of the Industry Judging Panel adds, “The Achievement Award categories remain constant this year, allowing Australians to put forward their work, creativity and new innovations performed at home and on the world stage and be recognised as the leaders in their areas of expertise.”

“We appreciate that there are many of us working behind the scenes to pull off some of Australia’s best events. We have broadened the recognition following feedback from the industry to be recognised for their speciality. The Management Awards group introduces three new categories – PCO of the Year, Public Event Management Company of the Year and Corporate Event Management Company of the Year. Small Event Management Company of the Year remains, providing a playing field for smaller players wanting to battle it out against other small companies. Each National Winner will go forward in the game to determine who is the Event Management Company of the Year”, says Steigrad.

Alongside the reworking of categories, the Awards have taken a new approach to the entry form and simplified the submission requirements, making it easier than ever to enter while still ensuring the quality of the content gathered meets the criteria to gain recognition as a National Nominee or Winner.

Events, technical achievements, design, event services, venues, caterers, organisations and more can put forward their accomplishments made between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023.

Do not miss out on the chance to be a part of a new and innovative Event Awards Program. Enter Now

For the full list of categories head to the Event Awards Website.