AEO People's Awards 2027: Entries now open!

The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) is delighted to announce that entries are now open for the AEO People's Awards 2027, taking place on Friday 29 January 2027 at the Business Design Centre, London.

Now in its fifth 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! New for 2027 is the AI Superuser category, recognising individuals driving smart adoption of AI within their teams.

Anna Golden, chief executive officer at AEO, says:

“Every year, the People's Awards prove just how much talent is working away behind the scenes of our industry. Watching attendance grow year on year and seeing the pride it brings to winners and their teams is a reminder of why these awards matter. As we introduce our AI Superuser category in 2027, it feels like the right moment to recognise not just what our industry has always valued, but where it's heading. If you know someone who deserves that recognition, take the time to nominate them; it only takes a few minutes, and it means everything to the person on the other end.”

Categories

The 2027 awards will feature 17 categories, designed to reflect the breadth of roles that underpin successful events.

• Support Team Star Player of the Year
• 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
• AI Superuser of the Year (new for 2027)
• Ops Team of the Year
• Sales Team of the Year
• Marketing Team of the Year

Headline sponsors:

The AEO is proud to welcome Aztec Event Services, Business Design Centre and Full Circle Events & Exhibitions as the headline sponsors of the People's Awards for 2027. Their support is instrumental in recognising and celebrating the unsung heroes of the industry.

Lisa Tyson, deputy managing director at Aztec Event Services, says:

“At Aztec, our job is usually to keep the spotlight firmly on our clients. That’s why we are so incredibly proud to partner with the AEO People’s Awards; it gives AEO the rare opportunity to turn the rig around and shine a light on the unsung heroes of our own industry. Delivering the technical production for this event is our way of celebrating the extraordinary, behind-the-scenes talent that makes live events possible.”  

 

Max Bull, chief commercial officer at Business Design Centre, says:

"As longstanding supporters of the Association of Event Organisers, we're honoured to welcome the AEO People's Awards to the Business Design Centre as event partners for a fourth consecutive year.

We firmly believe that exceptional events are made possible by exceptional people. Behind every successful event is a team whose dedication, expertise and collaboration deserve to be recognised and celebrated. At the BDC, caring for our colleagues and celebrating their wins has always been central to our culture and values. This makes the ethos of the AEO People's Awards particularly meaningful to us, and we look forward to celebrating all 2027 winners."

 

Kane Thomas, commercial director at Full Circle, says:

"Full Circle Events & Exhibitions is incredibly proud to return as headline sponsor of the AEO People’s Awards for the second year running.

People have always been at the heart of our business. As Full Circle continues to grow, our founding principle remains the same: to put people first and create opportunities for individuals to grow and succeed.

The events industry is powered by talented, passionate people, and these awards provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate them.

We’re delighted to continue our support for an event that shines a spotlight on the people behind our industry and celebrates the individuals and teams making a real difference.”

 

Key dates:

Entries open: 29th September 2026.

Deadline for nominations: 22nd October 2026.

Awards evening: Friday 29 January 2027, Business Design Centre, London.

 

Entry eligibility:

Entries are open to all professionals working for event organisers, venues, suppliers, or service providers, whether their organisation is a member or not. Nominations are at no cost for members of the AEO, AEV (Association of Event Venues) and ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association)

For more information, visit https://www.aeopeoplesawards.org.uk/ for full entry guidelines, nomination forms, and updates.