AEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2026 ENTRIES OPEN
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In association with Fusion by ClearCourse, GES and the NEC.
Entries are now open for the AEO Excellence Awards, the Association of Event Organisers’ flagship awards programme celebrating excellence, innovation and impact across the UK and international events sector. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on 12 June 2026 at Grosvenor House, with this year’s masquerade-themed celebration, “Behind the mask: a night of recognition”, offering a backdrop to recognise the people and work shaping the industry.
Each year, the AEO Excellence Awards highlights the work that often sits behind the scenes of successful events, from commercial growth and creative delivery to collaboration across complex teams and supply chains. It offers the industry a moment to pause, reflect and recognise the organisations and individuals shaping how events are delivered today.
Anna Golden, chief executive of AEO, said:
“The AEO Excellence Awards recognise the people, teams and organisations who consistently raise standards across our industry. From creativity and commercial performance to collaboration and ESG leadership, the awards showcase the quality and breadth of work being delivered across the sector. With entries now open, we look forward to seeing that work reflected across this year’s submissions.”
The awards celebrate excellence across the full events ecosystem, from organisers and venues to service suppliers, marketing teams and individuals who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional events.
Categories span marketing, international performance, conferences, exhibitions, sustainability, team achievement and individual contribution, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the sector. This year’s categories include:
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
Marketing Campaign of the Year - Consumer Show
Marketing Campaign of the Year - UK Trade Show
Marketing Campaign of the Year - International Trade Show
Best International Show Middle East & Africa
Best International Show Europe
Best International Show Americas
Best International Show Asia Pacific
ESG Award of the Year
Best UK Conference
Best International Conference
Unsung Hero
Independent Organiser of the Year < 20 employees
Independent Organiser of the Year > 20 employees
Venue of the Year < 20,000sqm
Venue of the Year > 20,000sqm
Service Supplier of the Year
Organiser Team of the Year
Best Event Launch
Best Consumer Show
Best UK Tradeshow Less Than 2,000sqm
Best UK Tradeshow (2,001 - 4,000sqm)
Best UK Tradeshow (4,001 - 8,000sqm)
Best UK Tradeshow More Than 8,000sqm
The 2026 awards are supported by headline sponsors Fusion by ClearCourse, GES and NEC Group.
Stephen Russell, head of Fusion by Clearcouse, said:
“I’m proud that Fusion is continuing its valued partnership as headline sponsor of the AEO Excellence Awards 2026. It reinforces our commitment to supporting AEO and celebrating the organisations and individuals setting the standard for excellence across our industry.
At Fusion, we’re passionate about creating outstanding live experiences through innovation and collaboration. By combining world class event delivery with cutting edge technology, we’re excited to help bring the Awards to life and recognise those shaping the future of the events sector.”
David Langrish, vice president of marketing (EMEA), at GES, said:
“We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the AEO Awards, further strengthening our long-standing partnership with the AEO. Their commitment to advancing the industry closely mirrors our own, making this collaboration a natural fit. The awards remain a flagship event, offering a powerful platform to recognise and celebrate the talent, innovation, and dedication that define our sector.”
Helen Marriott, group marketing director at the NEC, said:
“As we celebrate 50 years at the heart of the UK exhibitions industry, we’re proud to continue our support of the AEO Excellence Awards in 2026. The Awards play a vital role in recognising the excellence, innovation and collaboration that drive our sector forward, and in bringing the industry together to learn from and celebrate one another. It’s a privilege to sponsor an event that so clearly reflects the strength and ambition of our industry."
Entries are assessed through an independent, third-party judging process, with submissions collected and allocated to judges via a secure platform. Judging is completed independently to avoid conflicts of interest, with a minimum of four judges scoring each category, increasing to six judges for the show categories. Scores and feedback are collated and independently verified before results are shared with AEO.
Entries are open to organisers, venues and suppliers operating across the UK and internationally. There is no cost for AEO, AEV and ESSA members to enter.
Full category criteria, key dates and entry guidance are available at aeoawards.org.
