The 2011 Middle East Event Awards have been split into 21 categories and reflect the variety of events and suppliers operating in the Middle East event industry.
Below are the categories that have been selected to reward the best achievers for 2010-11. Please click on the category of your choice for details on the criteria that you must address in your submission.
Eligibility
Events that can be submitted must have been held within these dates: March 1st 2010 to February 28th 2011.
BEST MEETING OR CONFERENCE
This award is designed to recognise the effort that is required to successfully plan, organise and manage a meeting, conference or congress which was attended by more than 200 delegates. A meeting is considered the assembly of people for the purpose of exchanging information, debate or discussion, education and relationship building, scheduled alone or in conjunction with other events. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the meeting for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from the meeting owner or event organiser.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the event program was developed including; aims, objectives, creative elements and business objectives
- Did the meeting meet the goals and objectives? Please support your response with factual evidence
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the event
- How were the event’s challenges met and overcome?
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the meeting
- Please provide evidence that the meeting was attended by more than 200 delegates
BEST INCENTIVE EVENT
Using one of the Middle East countries as a destination you will have planned and organised an incentive programme for at least 25 participants and be able to address the key criteria listed below. A submission can be made from a Destination Management Company (DMC), event management company or agency.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- What did participants have to do to be included in the event?
- Describe business objectives. Judges will be paying particular attention to the creativity of the programme utilizing the destination and relevance to the target group. Budget indication may assist the judging process, but is not essential
- How were the event’s challenges met and overcome?
- Did the concept support the clients’ goals and objectives? If there was a measurable impact on participants’ subsequent performance, please specify. Client feedback will assist this aspect of your entry
BEST TRADE EXHIBITION
This award recognises the exhibition owners or organisers that have demonstrated excellence in organising and delivering a successful Trade exhibition. Entries must demonstrate how they implemented new innovative ideas and marketing techniques that led to growth, sustainability and enhanced service excellence of the event as well as how the exhibition contributed to the growth of the industry. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission must be made by the exhibition owner or organiser.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the exhibition was developed including; aims, objectives and creative elements.
- Did the exhibition meet the goals and objectives? Please support your response with factual evidence on visitor numbers, new features, floor space and number of exhibitors etc
- How were the exhibition’s challenges met and overcome
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the event
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the exhibition
BEST MEETINGS OR EVENT FACILITIES WITHIN A HOTEL
This award is aimed at dedicated meeting/conference/convention or events venues within a hotel and will be judged on the flexibility to host a wide range of meetings and event functions. Criteria will include facilities and service information such as; break-out facilities, meeting & events areas-both indoor and outdoor, AV capabilities, catering and support service, plus quality of the venue itself. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the venue for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
Entries must provide examples of how they have played an active role in the hosting of a minimum of three different major events.
A submission can be made by the hotel owners or operators only.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Please include the complete venue and facilities details including options of set-up, room/venue capacities, in built services, safety features etc.
- Please provide details of the support services available to support an event by an external client available at the venue – No third party supplier services must be included.
- Please provide complete details of at least three different types of events held at the venue. Please include a description of each event and details of how the hotel / event venue and event owner/organiser worked together to create a successful event and meet any event challenges.
- Please highlight any venue specific creative or innovative components of these events.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the venue.
BEST PURPOSE-BUILT EVENTS VENUE
This award is aimed at dedicated purpose-built meeting/conference/convention or events / live entertainment event venues - both indoor and outdoor - and will be judged on the flexibility to host a wide range of meetings and event functions. Criteria will include facilities and service information such as; break-out facilities, meeting and event areas - both indoor and outdoor, AV capabilities, catering and support service, logistical functionality, plus quality of the venue itself. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the venue for the judges to study supported by visual evidence. Entries must provide examples of how they have played an active role in the hosting of a minimum of three different major events.
A submission can be made by the venue owners or operators only.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Please include the complete venue and facilities details including options of set-up, room/venue capacities, in built services, safety features etc.
- Please provide details of the support services available to support an event by an external client available at the venue – No third party supplier services must be included.
- Please provide complete details of at least three different types of events held at the venue. Please include a description of each event and details of how the event venue and event owner/organiser worked together to create a successful event and meet any event challenges.
- Please highlight any venue specific creative or innovative components of these events.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the venue.
BEST MUSIC EVENT
This award recognises an outstanding event, or set of events in terms of organisation, creativity, and entertainment value that has been branded as a music event, festival or concert. All music events must have been open to the public to attend and can be a one-day event or a series of events organised under one main event title spread over a few days. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from the owner, promoter or the event production company or agency.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the music event was developed including; aims, objectives and creative element.
- Did the event meet the goals and objectives? Please support your response with factual evidence on new features, ideas to attract visitors, make-up of the events programme and activities etc.
- How were the event’s challenges met and overcome?
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the event.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the music event.
BEST ARTS AND CULTURAL EVENT
This award recognises an outstanding art or cultural event whose main theme is to represent and celebrate a culture, tradition or holiday specific to a nationality or religion. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
The award will go to an event that apart from being culturally focused, proved to be well organised, in terms of access, security, facilities etc, as well as attracting significant public interest and support from the target audience. The event must have been open to the public to attend and can be a one-day event or a series of events organised under one main event title. Private or corporate events are not eligible.
A submission can be made from the event owner, the event management company or agency
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the arts or cultural event was developed including; aims, objectives and creative elements.
- Did the cultural event meet the goals and objectives? Please support your response with factual evidence on the event features, ideas to develop the arts or cultural theme, numbers of participants, programme of activities, media exposure etc.
- How were the event’s challenges met and overcome.
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the event.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of arts or cultural events.
BEST SPORTING EVENT
This award recognises an outstanding sporting event or set of sporting events in terms of organisation, creativity and sporting value.
The award will go to a sporting event, that proves it was well organised, in terms of access, security, facilities etc. and attracted significant public interest and support from the target audience as well as details of the media coverage it received. The event must have been open to the public to attend and can be a one-day event or a series of events organised under one main event title. Private events are not eligible. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from the event owner, the event management company or agency
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the sporting event was developed including; aims, objectives and creative elements.
- Did the sporting event meet the goals and objectives? Please support your response with factual evidence on the event features, innovative ideas to develop the sporting theme, numbers of participants, feedback from participants, programme of activities, media exposure etc.
- How were the event's challenges met and overcome?
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the event.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the sporting event.
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR AN EVENT
This award recognises marketing initiatives that have demonstrated ingenuity, technical quality, considered planning and effective execution, whilst working within budget constraints to create an outstanding marketing campaign specific to an event in the Middle East. Entrants must provide evidence of the campaign’s success and how it met the goals established for the event.
A submission can be made from the event owner, organiser, event management company or agency.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Please provide an overview of the event marketing and promotional strategy employed highlighting the aims, objectives, creative elements and business objectives of the event.
- Explain how the event marketing and promotional campaign employed creative and innovative solutions.
- Did the event meet the goals and objectives? Please support your response with factual evidence on the event features, numbers of participants, programme of activities, media exposure etc.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and management of the event.
- Please provide an overview of the different marketing and promotional initiatives employed together with an analysis of the effectiveness and return on investment of these initiatives.
BEST INNOVATIVE ENTERTAINMENT
This award rewards innovative ideas in entertainment to enhance the clients' experience at an event.
The performances must be
brand/event theme aligned with the appropriate
selection of music, type of performance, costume, design of costume & props, choreography, and working with special effects. The judges will look at Innovation & Appropriacy of the act for the event communication as the deciding factors. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the entertainment for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made for all types of entertainment, and be made from solo performers, groups of performers, entertainment agencies or producers who managed the entertainment element of an event.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the entertainment concept was developed including; aims, objectives and theme.
- Explain how the entertainment concept supported the client’s goals and objectives.
- Please provide a description of how the solo performers, groups of performers, entertainment agencies or producers worked together to create a successful brand/event theme aligned performance.
- Please highlight the innovative components of the event performance.
BEST EXHIBITION STAND DESIGN
This award is designed to recognise stand builders, agencies, exhibition stand architects or designers that successfully design and build an Exhibition Stand that best suits the clients’ needs.
A submission can be made from a stand builder, agency, exhibition stand architect or designer. If the submitting company does not hold the copyright of the stand design, a written permission of the copyright holder is required.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Demonstrate originality, creativity, appropriateness, technical innovation, craftsmanship, skill and use of resources.
- Explain how well the design solution meets the requirements of the client and the needs of the end user/viewer.
- How were the goals and objectives of the client met and exceeded?
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the stand design.
Nominees will be assessed using all available material accompanying the entry.
BEST CREATIVE USE OF EVENT LIGHTING
This award will recognise a company that has managed the complete event lighting, from a technical and creative perspective and which made an outstanding contribution to the overall success of the event. The award will recognise a company that has not only achieved excellence in lighting production but that has gone above and beyond their remit to provide excellence in client support. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from a lighting company, lighting designer, production company or the event organiser.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Provide detailed descriptions of the technical production aspects of the event.
- Describe the degrees of difficulty and innovation in the technical production.
- What lighting related challenges arose and how were they overcome.
- Please highlight any venue specific challenges and the creative or innovative lighting components of the event.
BEST EVENT SOUND PRODUCTION
This award will recognise a company that has provided excellent and innovative sound solution for an event. The sound can be a live production or pre-produced for both public and corporate events. Criteria focus on the creativity of sound designers or producers, and the technical focus is how the technical supplier merged technical and innovative aspects to fulfill the needs for an outstanding listening experience.
A submission can be made by the audio company, sound designer, or sound producer.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Provide detailed descriptions of the technical production aspects of the event.
- Describe the degrees of difficulty and innovation in the technical production.
- What sound related challenges arose and how were they overcome?
- Please highlight any venue specific challenges and the creative or innovative sound components of the event.
BEST AV / VIDEO SOLUTION FOR AN EVENT
This award will recognise a company that has managed the complete event video, from a technical and creative perspective and which made an outstanding contribution to the overall success of the event. The award will recognise a company that has not only achieved excellence in video production but that has gone above and beyond their remit to provide excellence in client support. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made by the event agency or content service provider.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Provide detailed descriptions of the technical or creative production aspects of the event.
- Describe the degrees of difficulty, creativity and innovation in the technical or creative production.
- What AV related challenges arose and how were they overcome.
- Please highlight any venue specific challenges and the creative or innovative video or content components of the event.
BEST EVENT DESIGN
This award will recognise a specialist decorative/scenery/theming company that has created and managed the complete theming or decoration, from a technical, creative and production perspective and which made an outstanding contribution to the overall success of the event. The award will recognise a company that has both been exceptionally creative whilst working to a budget and has provided excellent customer service. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from an event management / production company or agency, or from the event designer / architect or decoration company on behalf of the event organiser.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the event concept was developed including; aims, objectives and theme.
- Explain how the design concept supported the client’s goals and objectives.
- Please provide a description of how the event organiser, event designer / architect or decoration company, venue and client worked together to create a successful event design.
- Please highlight any design creative or innovative components of the event.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating and management of the event.
OUTSTANDING EVENT USING A TEMPORARY VENUE/STRUCTURE OR SPACE
This award recognises an event where the venue or organiser has demonstrated an innovative or creative use of a temporary venue or space to create a unique event solution. Entries must provide specific details of the space; location and temporary build solutions employed as well as the objectives of the project. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from the event owner, the event management/production company or agency.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Explain how the event concept was developed including; aims, objectives and creative elements.
- Please provide a complete overview and technical details of the temporary venue/ structure and event that was created.
- Please provide a description of how the event organiser, venue and client worked together to create a successful event and meet any event challenges.
- Please highlight any venue/structure specific creative or innovative components of the event.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the event.
BEST CORPORATE PRODUCT OR SERVICE LAUNCH
All industry sectors are eligible to enter with any type of product or service launch. The launch will be judged on a number of factors, including not limited to the impact that the launch has had on the success of the product or service. Entrants need to outline objectives and how they were met. Actual budget is not a major factor, more so the creativity and proficient usage of the budget available. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made by the event management/production company or agency, or product or service owner on behalf of the agency.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Please provide an overview of the product or service launch event.
- Describe business objectives of the product or service launch. Judges will be paying particular attention to the creativity of the launch and relevance to the target group. Budget indication may assist the judging process but is not essential.
- How were the event’s challenges met and overcome?
- Did the concept support the clients’ launch goals and objectives? Client feedback will assist this aspect of your entry.
- Please highlight any creative or innovative components of the event.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating, marketing and the management of the service launch
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENT
This award will recognise a production company that has managed the complete production of a particular event and made an outstanding contribution to the overall success of the event. The award will recognise a company that has not only achieved excellence in the production of an event but that has gone above and beyond their remit to provide excellence in client support. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual evidence.
A submission can be made from a production company or an event organiser on behalf of the production company.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Provide detailed descriptions of the production elements of the event.
- Describe the degrees of difficulty and innovation in the technical production.
- What challenges arose and how were they overcome?
- Please highlight any challenges and highlight innovative or creative solutions employed to overcome these.
- Describe the processes involved in coordinating and management of the production of the event.
GREEN AWARD
This award will recognise a company or event that has shown a significant awareness of the environment and reduced the carbon footprint of their venue, business or event activity. Entrants must provide accurate descriptions of the event for the judges to study supported by visual and factual evidence of the reduction of the carbon footprint or environmental damage.
A submission can be made from the event owner, organiser, event management company or agency.
The following key criteria must be included in the entry submission:
- Please provide complete details of any creative or innovative ideas that were used to reduce the negative environmental impact the event may have had.
- Please provide actual evidence of the “green” savings achieved, including venue selection, travel / transport, waste management, marketing & communication materials, and caterer selection. Please support your evidence with statistics where possible.
- Please provide a carbon neutral certificate if possible.
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
The Young Achiever Award will acknowledge, encourage, and reward an event professional in the Middle East who has reached outstanding achievements and contributed greatly to the success of their business, the company they work for, or a specific event or series of events.
Nominations can be made by anyone wanting to recommend an event professional who needs to fulfil the below criteria. Please provide full details of the achievements the Young Achiever has made.
The candidate:
- Must be 30 years old or younger on the date the award ceremony takes place.
- Can be an employed person, company owner / a freelancer
- Must be working in the Middle East for at least 2 consecutive years
- Must hold a valid residence visa in any country of the Middle East
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE MIDDLE EAST EVENT INDUSTRY
This prestigious Award will acknowledge and reward an event professional in the Middle East who has reached outstanding achievements and has significantly contributed not only to the developments within their business but also to the region’s Middle East Event Industry as a whole.
Nominations can be made by anyone wanting to recommend an event professional. Recommendations can either be made by providing name, job title and company only, or as a full nomination with a detailed description of the contributions that person has made to the industry.