AEO PEOPLE’S AWARDS 2026 OPENS FOR ENTRIES
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The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) is delighted to announce that entries are now open for the AEO People’s Awards 2026, taking place on Friday 30 January 2026 at the Business Design Centre, London.
Now in its fourth year, the AEO People’s Awards are dedicated to recognising the outstanding individuals who power the events industry from behind the scenes. The awards shine a spotlight on professionals across marketing, operations, sales, content and support roles, celebrating those who go above and beyond to make events thrive.
Anna Golden, chief executive officer at AEO, says:
“Experiencing the AEO People’s Awards for the first time earlier this year was incredibly inspiring. Seeing first-hand just how much it meant to the individuals being recognised - and the pride it sparked across their teams - really brought home the importance of these awards. I would strongly encourage managers to take the time to nominate their colleagues; it’s a powerful way to celebrate talent, boost morale and showcase the people who make our industry thrive.”
CategoriesThe 2026 awards will feature 16 categories, designed to reflect the breadth of roles that underpin successful events. This year, three new categories have been added, recognising senior roles and team achievements.
- Support Team Star Player
- Newcomer of the Year
- Sustainability Champion of the Year
- DEI Champion of the Year
- Content Exec of the Year
- Content Manager of the Year
- Marketing Exec of the Year
- Marketing Manager of the Year
- Ops Exec of the Year
- Ops Manager of the Year
- Sales Exec of the Year
- Sales Manager of the Year
- Indomitable Spirit
- Ops Team of the Year (new for 2026)
- Sales Team of the Year (new for 2026)
- Marketing Team of the Year (new for 2026)
The AEO is proud to welcome back Aztec Event Services as a headline sponsor and to announce Full Circle Events & Exhibitions as a headline sponsor for the first time in 2026. Their support is instrumental in recognising and celebrating the unsung heroes of the industry.
Lisa Tyson, deputy managing director at Aztec Event Services, comments:
“Aztec is delighted to once again be a headline partner for the AEO People’s Awards, now in its fourth year. This unique event creates such energy and positivity across the live event and exhibition industry and truly champions the extraordinary individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes.”
Kane Thomas, commercial director at Full Circle Events & Exhibitions, comments:
“At Full Circle, we’ve always believed in the power of people, especially the underdogs. While we’ve grown to become one of the UK’s largest event suppliers, our founding principle remains the same: build a business that puts people first.
From day one, our biggest ambition has been to bring out the best in people. Because when people thrive, so do the events, the experiences, and the careers we help create.
That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor of this year’s AEO People’s Awards. The awards align perfectly with our values, recognising the extraordinary talent that drives our industry forward.”
Key dates- Entries open: 1st October 2025
- Deadline for nominations: 24th October 2025
- Awards evening: Friday 30 January 2026, 18:00 GMT, Business Design Centre, London
Entries are open to professionals working for event organisers, venues, suppliers, or service providers. Nominations are free for members of the AEO, AEV (Association of Event Venues) and ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association). Submissions can be made via the official awards website: www.aeopeoplesawards.org.uk
For more informationVisit www.aeopeoplesawards.org.uk for full entry guidelines, nomination forms, and updates.
