Following on from the success of last year's 10th awards ceremony, the Event Industry Awards return on Friday, July 19th. With over 120 teams and individuals shortlisted, the attendace will reflect every major aspect of world-class event execution.
Frankie Sheahan, CEO and founder of Pendulum Summit will be the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to the Events Industry award 2019.
This awards ceremony recognises the varied nature of live events in Ireland and stand-out categories include Best Event Team, Best Awards Ceremony, Best In-House Event Team, and Best Live Event.
Among the nominees is the Aviva Stadium. Shortlisted for two awards, Leah Gunn, sales and marketing manager, Aviva Stadium Meeting and Events, expressed her joy at the news; “We are delighted to be shortlisted for three awards this year, the build-up creates great excitement in the office and is a great talking point with existing and prospect clients.”
Other high-profile entrants include Deloitte, The Helix, Guinness Storehouse, Pluto, and Abbey Conference & Events.
Overall, there will be 27 awards decided on the night, with an esteemed judging panel, made up of industry leaders and peer experts, presiding over each category. This year’s panel is led by three judging coordinators, including Ruth Craggs, lecturer at the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin. Speaking on behalf of the judging coordinators, Ruth praised the standard of entries this year:
“The 2019 Event Industry Award judging coordinators, represented by event management lecturers and researchers in the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin, noted the high quality of entries from event organisations and suppliers across Ireland. The judging consisted of a range of categories including Best Event Design, Best Event Innovation and Best Event Management Company. The TU Dublin judging coordinators highlighted the high standard of entries from local, regional and national events, including examples of delivery, best practice, innovation and creativity in the Irish events industry.”
Julie Manahan, marketing manager for Croke Park Meetings & Events, spoke about their sponsorship of the Awards and how valuable an award win can be; “We are always keen to support this gathering of our event industry peers and partners and we know what being recognised as Best Team means to those who work in the industry, so we’re delighted to sponsor the Team categories at this year’s Event Industry Awards.”
Seán Reid, commercial director of Citywest Hotel, is excited about their involvement and expressed how these awards have become a focal point in the industry; “Citywest Hotel is honoured to host the Event Industry Awards on Friday, July 19th. This successful event generates great excitement throughout the industry and Citywest Hotel alike. The Awards celebrate the creativity and innovation of our industry. We would to like to congratulate all of this year’s nominees and wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck. See you all soon at Citywest Hotel.”
Judging Coordinators
- Ruth Craggs, lecturer, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin
- Rachelle O'Brien, assistant lecturer, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin
- Dr. Theresa Ryan, lecturer & researcher, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin
Judging Panel
- Alan Bannon, founder, Cannonball
- John Carty, lecturer, GMIT
- Colm Croffy, executive director, Association of Irish Festivals and Events (AOIFE)
- Terri Cullinane, director, Cape Clear Consulting
- Claire Dumbrell, commercial manager, EventInsure.ie
- Daniel Halpin, head of marketing, Cogs & Marvel
- Dr. Elling Hamso, managing partner, Event ROI Institute
- Andrew Langford, lecturer in Food & Beverage Studies, Food & Beverage manager, Shannon College of Hotel Management, NUI Galway
- Lynn Lester, managing director of Events, The Drum, UK
- Declan Maxwell, restaurant manager, Luna Restaurant
- Andrea Michaels, president, Extraordinary Events, USA
- Mary O'Rawe, lecturer in Management and Innovation, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin
- Gary Pagano, vice president, Viacom Special Events, USA
- Dr. Bernadette Quinn, Programme Chair, MSc Event Management, College of Arts & Tourism, TU Dublin
- James Sheridan, assistant lecturer, School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, Technological University Dublin
- Mary Weir, co-founder, Event Industry Association of Ireland
To read about other BusinessRiver events visit their news hub.
The full shortlist is available below.
Best Event / Sponsored by Citywest Hotel
The winner of this award will be announced at the awards ceremony on July 19th.
Outstanding Contribution to the Events Industry / Sponsored by Citywest Hotel
Frankie Sheahan, Pendulum Summit
Best Event Management Company / Sponsored by Stage & Lighting
- Brand Rocket
- Clive
- Cuckoo Events / Safe Events
- Event Fuel
- Grooveyard Agency
- MCI Ireland
- TITAN Experience
Best Event Team / Sponsored by Croke Park Meetings & Events
- Advantage Group
- Event Fuel
- Grooveyard Agency
- KC Services Ireland
- MCI Ireland
- Sheil Entertainment Agency
Best In-House Event Team / Sponsored by Croke Park Meetings & Events
- Aviva Stadium
- Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin
- Red Hot Events
- Seasons at Guinness Storehouse
- Slane Castle
- The Helix
- WMOF2018 & Pope Francis's Visit to Ireland
Best Experiential Agency
- Grooveyard Agency
- Neon Agency
- Pluto
Best Live Event / Sponsored by Stage & Lighting
- Circle of Champions, Ardgillan Castle
- Junk Kouture
- Limerick Riverfest
- New Year's Festival Dublin
- Paddy Power's Museum of Mischief
- SeaFest 2018
- Seek at Fota Island Resort
- Special Olympics Ireland Opening Ceremony 2018
- The Winter Ball, Cliff at Lyons
- WMOF2018 & Pope Francis's Visit to Ireland
Best Sporting Event / Sponsored by TU Dublin
- DUBLOS - Street Legends UEFA EURO 2020
- Quest Killarney Adventure Race
- The Punchestown Festival 2018
Best Cultural Event
- Limerick Riverfest
- SeaFest 2018
- The Heavens & the Deep Blue Sea
- WMOF2018 & Pope Francis's Visit to Ireland
Best Fundraising Event
- Enable Ireland's Lavanagh Ladies Lunch
- Londis Cycle for Joy in aid of Pieta House
- Ride Africa Kenya 2018
- The Hazelwood Haunting
Best Exhibition
- gradireland Graduate Careers Fair 2018
- Ireland Skills Live
- National Football Exhibition
- The NDC Exhibition at The National Ploughing Championships
- WMOF2018 & Pope Francis's Visit to Ireland
Best Professional Conference Organiser
- Abbey Conference & Events
- Go West Conference & Event Management
Best Awards Ceremony / Sponsored by AVC
- BICS Awards 2019
- DCU Alumni Awards
- Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards 2019
- gradireland Graduate Recruitment Awards 2018
- Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019
- Lidl National Achievement Awards 2019
- National Conference Ambassadors Awards
- Northern Ireland Health & Fitness Awards 2018
Best Conference / Sponsored by AVC
- 3XE Digital Marketing Conference Series
- Best Managed Companies Symposium 2019
- Data Summit 2018
- Executive PA Forum 2018
- IUSTI 2018 World & European Congress
- WMOF20-18 & Pope Francis's Visit to Ireland
Best Launch Event
- Method and Madness Gin Launch
- Together for Yes Launch
Best Corporate Event / Sponsored by Audionetworks
- Abbott Donegal's Libre Freestyle Celebration
- Circle of Champions Incentive Programme 2018
- Electric Garden Party
- Global Clinical Research Company Does Strictly
- Meitheal 2019
- Privilege Passport 2018 Gala Night
- The Galway Mayor's Ball 2019
Best Corporate Entertainer
- Fada Dance Company
- Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre
- STATIC LED
- Susan McFadden
Best Purpose Built Event Venue / Sponsored by Nineyards
- Aviva Stadium
- Campus Living NUI Galway
- Guinness Storehouse
- RDS Venue
- The Helix
Best Hotel Event Venue / Sponsored by Nineyards
- Ballymaloe Grainstore
- Citywest Hotel
- Clontarf Castle Hotel
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin
- The Galmont Hotel & Spa
Best Unique/Private Wedding Venue / Sponsored by White Events
- Ballyseede Castle
- Bellingham Castle
- Cabra Castle
- Killruddery
- Markree Castle
Best AV Company / Sponsored by 7 Entertainment
- ADI
- AVA Audio Visual
- Conference Services
- Sound Design
Best Event Caterer
- Aramark at Croke Park
- Compass Group Ireland at Aviva Stadium
- Master Chefs at Thomond Park Stadium
- Naomi's Kitchen Event Caterers
- Overends Kitchen at Airfield Estate
- Seasons at Guinness Storehouse
Best Event Design
- Brown Thomas Style Summit - Pluto
- Camp Hogwarts - Pluto
- Heineken Live Your Music at Electric Picnic 2018 - Exhibit Design Group
- PwC All-Star Awards - Cogs & Marvel
- Seek at Fota Island Resort - Catapult
- Three Mobile at Electric Picnic 2018 - Exhibit Design Group
- Trocaire at World Meeting of Families - KC Services Ireland
- Wedding at Mount Falcon Estate - MCI Ireland
Best Event Sponsorship
- HELL & BACK Sponsored by Breyers Delights
- HELL & BACK Sponsored by Londis
- Londis All Ireland Senior Football 7s
- PwC All-Stars Awards
Best Event Innovation / Sponsored by Simotion
- Circle of Champions - Odyssey International
- National Football Exhibition – Grooveyard Agency
- Trocaire at World Meeting of Families - KC Services Ireland
Best Event Infrastructure Provider
- All in One Event Hire
- Silk Road Tents
- Travelmaster
Technology Award
- CLOUDSEC 2018 3D Avatar - MCI Ireland
- Mbooked - Smart Ticketing Solution
- Travelmaster
