Revealed: These are Australia’s best events

Revealed: These are Australia’s best events

Australia’s best events and strongest achievements in the competitive events industry were announced and celebrated at the Australian Event Awards ceremony last week at Novotel Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland shone in fitting form for the Awards’ final year hosted by Visit Sunshine Coast, with almost a third of the winners hailing from the sunshine state.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games proved a holistic success, taking out the TFH Hire Services Best Sporting Event, with Trade 2018: The Trade and Investment Program also winning Best Exhibition, Trade or Consumer Show.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Athletics during the Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images for GOLDOC)

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 08: Athletics during the Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images for GOLDOC)

TAFE Queensland took home a trophy for their innovative and immersive training partnership with the Games.

Other big wins included the 29th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest as the EVENTelec Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event, Splendour in the Grass for Viking Rentals Best Regional Event, and Vivid Sydney took home the trophy for the Visit Sunshine Coast Best Tourism Event.

There was strong thread of innovative thinking evident through winners such as The Big Anxiety Festival of Arts + Science + People (Aggreko Best New Event), the IEEE International Conference of Robotics and Automation (Best Congress or Conference), the Pop-Up Globe (Best Achievement in Design, Look or Theming) and Mediatec Asia Pacific’s work on the Australian Open (Best Technical Achievement or Innovation).

Stagekings for their work on Pop-Up Globe 2018 - Winner Best Achievement...

In the headline categories, David Atkins, Lifetime Achievement Winner 2010, took out Event Producer of the Year for the second year in a row.

David Atkins took out Event Producer of the Year

Event Management Company of the Year was awarded to Belle Laide Events, an event management company and creative agency.

Belle Laide Events won Event Management Company of the Year

“A huge congratulations to the impressive Finalists and Winners. It’s wonderful to see this passionate industry gathered together for the occasion, and it’s been a privilege to celebrate these achievements on the Sunshine Coast,” said Simon Latchford, CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast.

The Awards Ceremony at the Novotel Twin Waters saw events professionals from all sectors come together to enjoy a bit of sass and sparkle at the black-tie event.

Sami Lukis delighted as the host for the evening, and there was a strong local line up of performers.

Noosa Hinterland up-and-comer Emma Tomlinson opened the show with Fergie’s “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody”, setting the tone for a night of celebration, Adiamus String Quartet enhanced the glamour of the evening, and local vocalists The Kitty Kats closed the evening, getting attendees up on their feet with their powerhouse musicality and cheeky charm.

“Tonight we saw a stream of remarkable Finalists and Winners highlighting just how strong our country’s events and event achievements are,” said Ian Steigrad, Managing Director, Australian Event Awards and Symposium.

“The calibre of their work is quite incredible. A special congratulations to all those who took home a coveted trophy tonight.”

For the full list of Finalists and Winners for 2018, go here.

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