Event Industry Awards shortlist announced

As the EIAs celebrate their first decade, the organisers announced Paddy Cosgrave, CEO and co-founder of Web Summit, as the 2018 recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to the Events Industry award.

The nominating citation states:

‘Paddy’s achievements are extraordinary, taking a local Irish event to global prominence at a rate of development never seen before in the Irish or indeed global events sphere. Web Summit’s story illustrates the power of events as a communications, engagement and activation channel which is unequalled by any other medium. The fact that both Paddy's and Web Summit’s roots are here in Ireland demonstrates the capability of our events sector to deliver, not just at home, but on the international stage as well.’

To mark the occasion, the legendary Anna May McHugh, the driving force behind the National Ploughing Championships, will make the award presentation to Paddy at Citywest Hotel, Dublin on July 20th at the Event Industry Awards annual awards ceremony.

Anna May was the original recipient of the award when the EIAs were first established 10 years ago.

Paddy stated, “It’s an honour to be recognised in this way by other professionals in the Irish event industry. It has been amazing to me to see how our flagship event Web Summit has grown. It started with just 400 people in 2010 and there will be about 70,000 people in Lisbon this November.

I work with a team of incredibly talented individuals who consistently deliver world-class events at scale across Europe, Asia and North America. The team has grown to nearly 200 and I am proud that we are still headquartered in Ireland.”

Anna May McHugh, NPA managing director said, "I'm delighted to make this presentation to one of Ireland's brightest young entrepreneurs - as organiser of Europe's largest outdoor event I know the challenges of the events industry and Paddy has proven his ability and drive in all of his achievements. I'm very pleased for him and all of the team and happy to be part of this occasion."

Eugene Bortolozzo, founder of the Event Industry Awards remarked, "To honour Paddy, and by extension Web Summit, through making this award is a privilege for me personally and the Event Industry Awards as a whole. The awards are about excellence and there is no better embodiment of event excellence than this year's recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award, Paddy Cosgrave."

Citywest Hotel is the co-title sponsor and host of the awards, and their commerical director, Sean Reid is delighted they are involved, "We are honoured to host this year's Event Industry Awards, particularly on its 10th anniversary. The awards celebrate the creativity and innovation of our industry and we feel that it is the right time for our industry colleagues to join us in Citywest Hotel. Our investment in recent years has futureproofed the Citywest Hotel, ensuring that we deliver conferences and events on a global scale. I would to like to take this opportunity to congratulate all this year's nominees and wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck".

Judging coordinator and assistant lecturer in the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Rachelle O'Brien, was pleased with the quality of the shortlist for the awards.

“This year, the Event Industry Awards judging panel, represented by event management academics in the School of Hospitality Management Tourism, DIT noted the number and quality of entries from event management companies and suppliers across Ireland. The judging consisted of 27 categories including Best Event Management Company, Best Live Event and Best Event Team. The DIT judges highlighted the high standard of entries from local, regional and national events including examples of best practice, sustainability and innovation in the Irish events industry.”

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The full shortlist is available below.

Best Event

Outstanding Contribution to the Events Industry

Best Event Management Company

Cogs & Marvel
Event Fuel
Grooveyard Event Management
Magnum Events
Neon Agency
Orangeworks

Best Small Event Management Company

Brand Rocket
EveryEvent
KC Services Ireland
Kevin Rowe Events

Best Event Team

Cogs & Marvel
Event Fuel
JTI Festival Team - Grooveyard Event Management
Kevin Rowe Events
Orangeworks
TITAN Experience

Best In-House Event Team

Best Live Event

Best Sporting Event

Dublin 7s 2017
Gaelforce Dublin 2017
Rith na Lochanna 5k
Tour De Picnic 2017

Best Exhibition

AIB Future Sparks Festival
gradireland Graduate Careers Fair
Irish Beauty Show
National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Exhibition 2017
Volkswagen at the National Ploughing Championships 2017

Best Corporate Entertainer

Fidget Feet Aerial Danse Theatre
RUA – Deception Artist
Reality Bites
Scott Newman

Best Professional Conference Organiser

Abbey Conference & Events
KC Services Ireland

Best Awards Ceremony

Best Conference

Best Launch Event

Autodesk EMEA Launch
Baby Dove Retail Launch
Circle K Global Brand Launch
Orangeworks Rebrand
Publish or Perish The Content Conference
Samsung S8 Launch & S8+ Launch
Welcome to Promiscuity at Virgin Media HQ
Xposé Benefit Awards

Best Purpose Built Event Venue

Airfield Estate
Aviva Stadium
Croke Park
Guinness Storehouse
The Helix
The Rose of Tralee International Festival Dome

Best Hotel Event Venue

Best AV Company

Conference Services
Just Lite Productions

Best Event Infrastructure Provider

Magnum Events
Optimum Chauffeur Drive
Silk Road Tents

Best Event Caterer

Aramark at Croke Park
Compass Group Ireland at Aviva Stadium
Masterchefs at Thomond Park Stadium
Naomi's Kitchen Event Caterers
Seasons at Guinness Storehouse

Best Corporate Event

Best Event Design

AIB: Backing a Sustainable Future - Cogs & Marvel
Cadbury Taste Sensation Festival Activation - Event Fuel
Facebook Wanderlust Summer Party - Event Fuel
Farmaphobia - Causey Farm
David & Sarah's Secret Garden Wedding - Hanley Event Group
The House of Peroni - Neon Agency
The Social Circle - Mavrix
Waterford Harvest Festival – EveryEvent

Best Event Sponsorship

HELL & BACK Sponsored by Londis
Xposé Benefit Awards

Best Event Innovation

Cadbury Cadvent Parades - Event Fuel
Cannonball Ireland
Digital Now - Cogs & Marvel
HP Career and Networking Event - Cogs & Marvel
Lidl at the National Ploughing Championships - Cogs & Marvel (tbc)
The Event of the Future - Croke Park Meetings & Events
The Go Team App - Orangeworks
Xpose Christmas Markets

Best Cultural Event

Culture Night 2017
Dublin Festival of History
Green-Schools Expo
Seafest 2017
Taste of Dublin 2017

Best Fundraising Event

Go Give
Battle of the Stars
Cannonball Ireland
Londis Climb for Joy 2017
Maxol Aware Christmas Coffee Cups
RNLI Does the OsKaRs
Tour de Picnic
Vodafone Does the OsKaRs

Best Unique/Private Wedding Venue

Ballybeg House
Kilkea Castle
Kilshane House Tipperary
Luttrellstown Castle Resort
Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill
David and Sarah's Secret Garden Wedding Venue - Hanley Event Group

Best Experiential Agency

Hopkins Communications
Neon Agency