The winners of the 2015 Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) Awards for Excellence were named at a gala dinner in Sydney last night.

The event, which celebrated the end of the trade and consumer exhibition season, took place at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf and was attended by almost 300 people representing organisers, association organisers, venues and suppliers from across Australia and New Zealand.

EEAA chief executive Joyce DiMascio highlighted the a broad range of entries which she said reflected the diversity of events, venues and services in the industry.

“These were judged by 29 independent volunteer judges from around Australia and overseas,” she said.

“It is clear from the judges’ feedback that our Members have worked very hard to deliver outstanding results. It is this drive to constantly excel that we celebrate tonight.”

Jim Delahunty of ExpoNet was awarded the Trevor Riddell Award for contribution to both the association and exhibition industries, which was presented by EEAA president Domenic Genua.

“Jim Delahunty has been a strong advocate for our industry across his whole career. He has always been one of those trusted, “go-to” people in our industry who gives pragmatic, unbiased, intelligent and strategic advice. He has built a significant organisation that has employed and developed the careers of many people in our industry.” Genua said.

Also among those honoured were the two winners of the Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award –Stephanie Bleakley of Diversified Communications Australia, and Daniel Condon of Designteam.

Best Australian Show was awarded to PAX Australia, organised by Reed Exhibitions Australia. Best New Zealand Show was awarded to buildnz | designex & The National Safety Show, organised by XPO Exhibitions.

Genua also highlighted some changes to the program implemented as part of a “process of continual improvement” and to ensure the awards reflect the “evolution and innovation” underway in the industry.

“New Awards categories were introduced, particularly to recognise the contribution of venues, suppliers and contractors to the success of our industry. The Best Green Initiative award was replaced with a more holistic award for Corporate Social Responsibility,” he said.

THE EEAA 2015 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE WINNERS ARE:

Best Australian Show
Winner: PAX Australia – Reed Exhibitions Australia

Best New Zealand Show
Winner: buildnz | designex & The National Safety Show – XPO Exhibitions

Trevor Riddell President’s Award
Winner: Jim Delahunty – ExpoNet

*Richard Geddes Young Achiever
The judges awarded two winners in this category:

*Stephanie Bleakley – Diversified Communications Australia

*Daniel Condon – Designteam

Category Winners:

Best Consumer Show over 10,000 m2
PAX Australia – Reed Exhibitions Australia

*Best Trade Show over 10,000 m2
Winner: Integrate – Diversified Communications Australia

*Highly Commended: Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference – Diversified Communications Australia

Best Supplier Team – Event
Winner: G20 Leaders’ Summit – ExpoNet

Best Supplier – Services or Products
Winner: Harry the hirer

Best Venue Team
Winner: IUCN World Parks Congress Team – Sydney Showground

Best New Product or Service

Winner: Conrad System – Reed Exhibitions Australia

Best Corporate Citizenship
Winner: Good Friday Appeal 2015 – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Winner: Integrate – Diversified Communications Australia

*Best New Initiative – Venue
Winner: Dockside Pavilion – First Year of Operation – Dockside Group

*Highly Commended: Aerial – Food & Desire

Best Consumer Show under 10,000 m2
Winner: Dog Lovers Show – Sydney – Event Management International

Best Trade Show under 10,000 m2
Winner: DesignBUILD – Diversified Communications Australia

Best Custom Stand
Winner: Cisco Stand at Cisco Live – Exhibit Systems

Best Show Team
Winner: 26th World Gas Conference – Exhibition Team – Exhibitions & Trade Fairs

Best New Show

Winner: The Australian Triathlon, Endurance & Cycling Expo – Informa Australia

EEAA Winners

Best Australian Show

Best New Zealand Show

Richard Geddes Winners

Trevor Riddell Award

EEAA Executive Board Members