2024 ENTRIES OPEN 8 APRIL

Since 2014, the NZEA NZ Event Awards has celebrated the best and brightest in the New Zealand’s world-class events sector. Consistently growing in scale and recognition, these awards recognise excellence, innovation, and leadership across the full breadth of the sector including event producers, sponsors, suppliers and individuals.

Entries open from 8 April to 5 May 2024 for events that took place between 11 April 2023 & 7 April 2024

CATEGORIES & CRITERIA 2024

Individual categories

  • Who should enter?
    Event or sponsorship professionals with under five years professional experience on the close of the qualifying period (7 April 2024), who demonstrate leadership and potential in the industry. Entrants may be directly involved in delivering or sponsoring events, or provide event support through a venue, supplier, or local government. Note: there is no age restriction.

    Eligibility
    Nominees for the Best Emerging Industry Professional award must meet the following eligibility criteria and may be requested to provide evidence to prove the criteria:

    • Entries may be by nomination, or an individual can nominate themselves.

    • The candidate must be a member of the New Zealand Events Association.

    • Candidates must be a New Zealand based event professional.

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    CV
    Each entry must begin with a brief CV (two-page limit) so judges can receive an overview of the candidate’s work experiences, training or education, and job specifications. Please also list events the candidate is involved in to ensure at least 50% have been undertaken in NZ with overseas work demonstrating a transfer of learning to a New Zealand context.

    References
    Each entry must provide two references or testimonials (with contact details of the named persons). Limit of 500 words per reference.

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Management (20%)
    a. Over the 24 months of the qualifying period, what were the candidate’s responsibilities and management competencies and what were their outstanding achievements? E.g. organiser capability, commercial viability/financial sustainability and long-term business goals/stability), support/management of staff, etc.

    2. Leadership (15%)
    a. Over the 24 months of the qualifying period, how did the candidate demonstrate excellence in leadership in a range of event management contexts? E.g. resilience, adaptiveness, responding to the COVID environment, living organisational values, the leadership of staff, and participation in professional development.

    3. Stakeholders (15%)
    a. In the 24 months of the qualifying period, how did the candidate work with and deliver superior results to stakeholders in the event sector? E.g. the satisfaction of attendees, sponsors, and volunteers (if applicable) perhaps via marketing plan, regional/national/international profile, impact/media coverage, etc.

    4. Innovation (15%)
    a. Over the 24 months of the qualifying period, how did the candidate illustrate a commitment to innovation to constantly improve and develop their event strategy and/or event delivery? E.g. audience engagement, virtual/digital platforms, growth / business plan, marketing plan, driving domestic visitation, economic/social contributions to host city/region.

    5. Contribution (15%)
    a. What is the candidate’s contribution to the industry beyond the parameters of their core work? E.g. capability building, mentoring, governance roles, volunteer work, etc.

    6. Commitment to sustainability (10%)
    a. What is the candidate’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. efinancial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

    b. How did the candidate demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (10%) (Judges’ discretion)

  • Who should enter?
    Event or sponsorship professionals with a significant career to date, with the 12 months of the qualifying period, in particular, demonstrating excellence and outstanding performance. It is likely the candidate has six years or more professional experience in event management or event sponsorship. The candidate may be directly involved in delivering or sponsoring events, or provide event support through a venue, supplier, or local government.

    Eligibility:
    Nominees for the Best Established Industry Professional award must meet the following eligibility criteria and may be requested to provide evidence to prove the criteria:

    • Entries may be by nomination, or an individual can nominate themselves.

    • The candidate must be a member of the New Zealand Events Association.

    • Candidates must be a New Zealand based event professional.

    Criteria/ How to enter:
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    CV: Each entry must begin with a brief CV (two-page limit) so judges can receive an overview of the candidate’s work experiences, training or education, and job specifications. Please also list events the candidate is involved in to ensure at least 50% have been undertaken in NZ with overseas work demonstrating a transfer of learning to a New Zealand context.

    References: Each entry must provide two references or testimonials (with contact details of the named persons). Limit of 500 words per reference.

    Criteria questions: Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Management (15%)
    a. Over the 12 months of the qualifying period, what were the candidate’s responsibilities and management competencies and what were their outstanding achievements? E.g. organiser capability, commercial viability/financial sustainability and long-term business goals/stability), support/management of staff, etc.

    2. Leadership (20%)
    a. Over the 12 months of the qualifying period, how did the candidate demonstrate excellence in leadership in a range of event management contexts? E.g. resilience, adaptiveness, responding to the COVID environment, living organisational values, mentorship of staff, and participation in professional development.

    3. Stakeholders (15%)
    a. In the 12 months of the qualifying period, how did the candidate work with and deliver superior results to stakeholders in the event sector? E.g. the satisfaction of attendees, sponsors, and volunteers (if applicable) perhaps via marketing plan, regional/national/international profile, impact/media coverage, etc.

    4. Innovation (15%)
    a. Over the 12 months of the qualifying period, how did the candidate illustrate a commitment to innovation to constantly improve and develop their event strategy and/or event delivery? E.g. audience engagement, virtual/digital platforms, growth / business plan, marketing plan, driving domestic visitation, economic/social contributions to host city/region.

    5. Contribution (15%)
    a. What is the candidate’s contribution to the industry beyond the parameters of their core work? E.g. capability building, mentoring, governance roles, volunteer work, etc.

    6. Commitment to sustainability (10%)
    a. What is the candidate’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

    b. How did the candidate demonstrate this?

    7. Judges’ discretion (10%)

Excellence categories

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in arts, cultural or heritage events. The event budget/organisation size is irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Organisations that own, deliver, or manage arts, cultural or heritage events. These may be exhibitions, or installation events, cultural performances or celebrations, or commemorations events, etc. Concerts and live music events are recommended to enter the Best Music Event category.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The event must be delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. The event must have either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive.

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)
      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T objective(s)* . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)
      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged

    3. Execution (15%)
      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)
      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)
      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic / community / environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (10%)
      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. strategies to limit the negative environmental impact), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this? (Include measurables where possible)

    7. Informed insight (15%) (Judges’ discretion)

    *S.M.A.R.T objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in business-owned events of any size that are either ‘Business to Business’ (B2B) or ‘Business to Consumer’ (B2C) in nature. The event budget and size are irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Organisations that own, deliver, or manage business events delivered to achieve business outcomes. Business event activity can be defined as a conference, activation, awards event, corporate social responsibility event, exhibition and all other B2B or B2C styled activities.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. Corporate events must be delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)
      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)
      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)
      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Outcomes (20%)
      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)
      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (10%)
      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (10%) Judges’ discretion

    *S.M.A.R.T objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in an event attracting less than 3,000 participants delivered to meet local community needs or a cause-related fundraising or awareness-raising event. The event budget and size are irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Not-for-profit organisations (NFPs), or those who partner with NFPs, investing in or initiating event-related community, social or environmental initiatives, and charities or trusts who use events to deliver these initiatives. You may be an event manager, event owner, trust or charity.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The NFP or cause-related event must be delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter:
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)
      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (10%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (15%) (Judges’ discretion)

    *S.M.A.R.T objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in an event attracting more than 3,000 participants delivered to meet local community needs or a cause-related fundraising or awareness-raising event. The event budget and size are irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Not-for-profit organisations (NFPs), or those who partner with NFPs, investing in or initiating event-related community, social or environmental initiatives, and charities or trusts who use events to deliver these initiatives. You may be an event manager, event owner, trust or charity.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The NFP or cause-related event must be delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter:
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)
      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (10%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (15%) (Judges’ discretion)

    *S.M.A.R.T objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in food, beverage or lifestyle events e.g. food festivals, wine or beer festivals, garden shows, special interest expos, etc. Event budget/organisation size is irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Organisations that own, deliver or manage food, beverage or lifestyle events.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The event must be delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T* objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)

      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (15%)(Judge’s discretion)

    *SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in events that are owned or delivered by local government. Event budget/organisation size is irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Local government organisations that own or deliver events. Events receiving local government support, but delivered externally are not eligible (these will be eligible to enter other categories).

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The event must be delivered in New Zealand and owned or delivered by a New Zealand local government organisation – i.e. Council, Regional Council, Regional Tourism Organisation, economic development agencies, or council-controlled organisations. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T* objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)

      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

    *SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in sports events. The event budget/organisation size is irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Organisations that own, deliver or manage sports events.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The event must be delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T* objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)

      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic / community / environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

    *SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in events that are focused on music to a target audience e.g. concerts, festivals, performances, touring and inhouse events, one-off shows or short run and series events. The event budget/organisation size is irrelevant.

    Who should enter?
    Organisations that own, deliver, or manage music events.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event or series of events delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T* objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)
      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

    *SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

  • The Award
    This Award recognises the successful hosting and/or delivery of an internationally significant event in New Zealand. The event will generate interest, profile or visitation from outside New Zealand. The rights to the event will generally be owned by an international body with a local delivery partner or local organising entity established specifically for the event.

    Who should enter?
    Organisations that own, deliver or manage major or mega events.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event. The event must be delivered in New Zealand and the majority of the management, execution of, and procurement for, the event be by and from NZ resident businesses. The event may be owned by an international body. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand why the event was created, when it first began, the scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Strategy and Objectives (15%)

      a. What did success look like when you started planning the event? Outline your S.M.A.R.T* objective(s) . This may include desired outcomes for audience/sponsor/volunteer engagement and satisfaction, awareness raising, media/profile, and/or profit, driving international or domestic visitation / contribution to regional GDP, for example (include base metrics where possible)

      b. What was your strategy to achieve these outcomes?

    2. Engagement (15%)

      a. Who are the various stakeholders (this may include sponsors, spectators, suppliers, media, participants for example) and how were they engaged?

    3. Execution (15%)

      a. How does this event demonstrate best practice across the planning and execution of your event? This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Effectiveness (15%)

      a. Did the event deliver on the S.M.A.R.T objectives outlined in 1a above? In other words, did you achieve what you set out to do? Provide evidence of your measurable outcomes where possible.

    5. Excellence (15%)

      a. How did leadership, innovation, unique selling points and legacy outcomes (including broader economic/community/environmental impact, awareness raising, infrastructure, regional identity/pride outcomes) contribute to the event’s success?

      b. Why should this event win over and above other events?

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your event’s commitment to sustainability? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

    *SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Please address these aspects in your response to 1a.

Support categories

  • The Award
    This award celebrates excellence in event marketing and creative concepts e.g. graphic design, design & build, design, theming, etc.

    Who should enter?
    Suppliers and organisations that own, deliver, or manage events or organisations or individuals who are contracted to deliver marketing or creative briefs for events. Note, if you were contracted to deliver creative services, you should enter with the approval of the event owner.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event or series of events delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand your product or service including the purpose and scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Product or Service Delivered (15%)

      a. Describe the event for which you were asked to deliver the creative concept. What were the your goals / the goals of the event manager in asking you to deliver that concept? Please be specific and measurable in your response.

    2. Leadership and Innovation (15%)

      a. How did you/ your organisation show leadership and innovation in the delivery of the creative concept?

      b. How did you/your organisation contribute to the event’s success? i.e. how you helped achieve the event manager’s goals outlined in your response to 1a.

    3. Degree of Difficulty (15%)

      a. Give examples of the issues you had to overcome to deliver a positive outcome. This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Customer Service (15%)

      a. Describe how the client/customer benefitted from the improvements or offerings you made.

      b. How did you deliver customer service over and above the norm?

    5. Testimonials (15%)

      a. Please provide two testimonials (maximum 250-word count per testimonial) from the event company, or other key stakeholders, addressing why you should win over and above other suppliers.

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your commitment to sustainability (environmental, economic and social/governance)? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did you Event demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

  • The Award
    This award recognises outstanding technology innovations in the events sector. It may be a delivery service or product that supports the events industry (e.g. new products, apps, hybrid event services, gamification, augmented/virtual reality, web-based platforms, etc) or it may be technology innovations in event delivery, governance, operations, sponsorship, etc. The innovation must be technology-based.

    Who should enter?
    Suppliers or contractors providing solutions for the events industry, event owners, managers or sponsors. Please note that suppliers providing event marketing or creative services may prefer to enter those specific categories.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event or series of events delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand your product or service including the purpose and scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Product or Service Delivered (15%)

      a. Describe the event for which you were asked to deliver the product or service. What were your goals / the goals of the event manager in asking you to deliver that product or service?

    2. Leadership and Innovation (15%)

      a. How did your organisation show leadership and innovation in the delivery of goods/services?

      b. How did your organisation contribute to the event’s success? i.e. how you helped achieve the event manager’s goals above.

    3. Degree of Difficulty (15%)

      a. Give examples of the issues you had to overcome to deliver a positive outcome.

    4. Customer Service (15%)

      a. Describe how the client/customer benefitted from the improvements or offerings you made.

      b. How did you deliver customer service over and above the norm?

    5. Testimonials (15%)

      a. Please provide two testimonials (maximum 250-word count per testimonial) from the event company addressing why you should win over and above other suppliers.

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your commitment to sustainability (environmental, economic and social/governance)? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did your creative concept demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

  • The Award
    This award recognises outstanding service or product suppliers that support the events industry. Please note that suppliers providing innovative event products or services, marketing or creative services may prefer to enter those specific categories.

    Who should enter?
    This may include suppliers or contractors such as catering, labour hire, rigging, transport, logistics, technology provider, event agencies, PR, accommodation, security, waste management, security, communications, legal services, etc.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event or series of events delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand your product or service including the purpose and scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Product or Service Delivered (15%)

      a. Describe the event that you were asked to deliver the product or service to. What were the goals of the event manager in asking you to deliver that product or service?

    2. Leadership and Innovation (15%)

      a. How did your organisation show leadership and innovation in the delivery of goods/services?

      b. How did your organisation contribute to the event’s success? i.e. how you helped achieve the event manager’s goals above.

    3. Degree of Difficulty (15%)

      a. Give examples of the issues you had to overcome to deliver a positive outcome.

    4. Customer Service (15%)

      a. Describe how the client/customer benefitted from the improvements or offerings you made.

      b. How did you deliver customer service over and above the norm?

    5. Testimonials (15%)

      a. Please provide two testimonials (maximum 250-word count per testimonial) from the event company addressing why you should win over and above other suppliers.

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your commitment to sustainability (environmental, economic and social/governance)? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did your creative concept demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

  • The Award
    This award recognises outstanding environmental sustainability initiatives in the events sector. It may be related to an event or organisation, or a delivery service or product that supports the events industry.

    Who should enter?
    Suppliers or contractors providing solutions for the events industry, event owners, managers or sponsors. Please note that suppliers providing event marketing or creative services may prefer to enter those specific categories.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event or series of events delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand your initiative and the event including the purpose and scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Sustainability Initiative Delivered (15%)

      a. Describe the event for which the initiative was delivered. What were your goals/the goals of the event manager in delivering that product or service?

    2. Leadership and Innovation (15%)

      a. How did your organisation show leadership and innovation in the delivery of the initiative?

      b. How did the initiative contribute to the event’s success? i.e. how you it help the goals above.

    3. Degree of Difficulty (15%)

      a. Give examples of the issues you had to overcome to deliver a positive outcome.

    4. Values and Culture Shifts (15%)

      a. Describe how you have integrated sustainability into your organisation or event’s values and culture i.e. venue requirements, policies and procedures, relationships with clients, stakeholders and partners, education and development of staff, etc.

    5. Evidence of success (15%)

      a. Please provide evidence of the success of your initiative. This may be statistics or testimonials (maximum 250-word count per testimonial) from the event company addressing why you should win over and above other suppliers.

    6. Future commitment to sustainability (10%)

      a. Please outline your future commitment to sustainability and your strategy to achieve this.

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

  • The Award
    This award recognises outstanding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the events sector. It may be related to an event or organisation, or a delivery service or product that supports the events industry.

    Who should enter?
    Suppliers or contractors providing solutions for the events industry, event owners, managers or sponsors. Please note that suppliers providing event marketing or creative services may prefer to enter those specific categories.

    Eligibility
    Entries must be related to an event or series of events delivered in New Zealand and owned by a New Zealand resident business. Entries must relate to events that occurred within the qualifying period (the event either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive).

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand your initiative and the event including the purpose and scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. DEI Initiative Delivered (15%)

      a. Describe the event for which the initiative was delivered. What were your goals/the goals of the event manager in delivering that product or service?

    2. Leadership and Innovation (15%)

      a. How did your organisation show leadership and innovation in the delivery of the initiative?

      b. How did the initiative contribute to the event’s success? i.e. how you it help the goals above.

    3. Degree of Difficulty (15%)

      a. Give examples of the issues you had to overcome to deliver a positive outcome.

    4. Values and Culture Shifts (15%)

      a. Describe how you have integrated DEI values into your organisation or event’s values and culture i.e. venue requirements, policies and procedures, relationships with clients, stakeholders and partners, education and development of staff, etc.

    5. Evidence of success (15%)

      a. Please provide evidence of the success of your initiative. This may be statistics or testimonials (maximum 250-word count per testimonial) from stakeholders addressing why you should win over and above other entries.

    6. Future commitment to DEI (10%)

      a. Please outline your future commitment to DEI values and your strategy to achieve this.

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

  • The Award
    This award is for event venues. This may include stadiums, convention centres, private function venues, sporting venues, community venues, etc. This Award is for event venues that delivered an exceptional event during the qualifying period.

    Eligibility
    An entry in this category must be related to one event or a series of events that was delivered in the venue within the qualifying period (either started or concluded between 11 April 2023 to 7 April 2024 inclusive). Venues must be located in New Zealand and be a New Zealand resident business.

    Criteria/ How to enter
    Entries are to be completed within the online application portal at nzea.co/awards. You will be asked to provide the following and respond to the criteria questions as follows:

    Overview
    Each entry must begin with a standardised overview of the event so judges can understand your venue and the event you were hosting or service including the purpose and scale of the event, content, audience, and participants (maximum 500-word count for this overview).

    Criteria questions
    Entrants must respond to the following assessment criteria. Maximum 1500 words in total to respond to all questions.

    1. Venue Offerings or Service (15%)

      a. Describe the event that you were asked to support in your venue.

      b. What responsibilities was the venue charged with?

      c. What were the goals of the event owner/manager?

    2. Leadership and Innovation (15%)

      a. How did your venue show leadership and innovation in the delivery of the event?

      b. How did your venue contribute to the event’s success? i.e. how you helped achieve the event owner/manager’s goals outlined in 1c above?

    3. Degree of Difficulty (15%)

      a. Give examples of the issues you had to overcome to deliver a positive outcome. This may include elements such as budgeting, marketing, responding to the COVID environment, health and safety, for example.

    4. Customer Service (15%)

      a. How did you deliver customer service over and above the norm? What were the outcomes of this?

    5. Testimonials (15%)

      a. Please provide two testimonials (maximum 250-word count per testimonial) from the event’s stakeholders addressing why your venue should win over and above other venues.

    6. Commitment to sustainability (15%)

      a. What is your commitment to sustainability (environmental, economic and social/governance)? Note that your response should include environmental sustainability (e.g. mitigation strategies to limit the negative impact on the environment/reduce the impact on climate change), economic sustainability (e.g. financial stability, managing resources, etc, to ensure long-term viability), and social sustainability (e.g. governance, stakeholder relationships, social legacy outcomes, etc).

      b. How did your creative concept demonstrate this?

    7. Informed insight (Judge’s discretion) (15%)

Overall categories

  • The award
    All finalists from the Excellence Award categories will automatically gain entry to this Award.

    The event receiving the most votes from the public during the voting timeline will win ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Event 2024.

    Process
    Public voting for New Zealand’s Favourite Event of 2024 will open in July 2024.

    The general public will be able to cast their vote through a public poll for any of the eligible finalists.

    The winner is determined through a first-past-the-post format – i.e. whoever gets the most votes wins! So, finalists have a great opportunity to get active with their audiences to generate votes!

  • The award
    This Award recognises an individual or a team who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing the New Zealand events industry either over their career or through a specific multi-year project. The Award is by third-party nomination only.

    Do you have a person or team to nominate?
    If you know of a deserving individual or team, please email awards@nzea.co outlining who you are nominating and why you feel they deserve this accolade.

    Judging process

    1. Preliminary research will be conducted by NZEA on all nominees. Note that the NZEA Board may make nominations also.

    2. The NZEA Board will identify a shortlist to be the subject of further research and consultation with industry leaders. The winner will be decided by the NZEA Board.

    3. There will not be finalists in this category, the winner will be announced at the Awards Gala Evening.

HOW TO ENTER

Entering is simple! Just register through our online entry portal, select your category and get going with your submission. You can save and edit your entries as many times as you like before submitting.

You are able to submit supporting material with your entry. See the details in the full Terms and Conditions of Entry.

Entries open from 8 April to 5 May 2024 for events that took place between 11 April 2023 & 7 April 2024

ENTRY FEES

NZEA Members
First entry: $155.00+GST
Additional entries: $80.00+GST per entry
Best Community or NFP Event 2024 categories only : $80.00+GST

Non-NZEA Members
First entry: $255.00+GST
Additional entries: $155.00+GST per entry
Best Community or NFP Event 2024 categories only : $155.00+GST

Visiting Palmerston North

NZEA have negotiated discounted rates at selected Palmy hotels. You can also check the ManawatuNZ website for more options.

Distinction Palmerston North

$255 per night, room only
Offer valid for stays 26-28 August 2024

Distinction Palmerston North's elegant 4-star hotel & conference centre is situated in the hub of Palmerston North’s buoyant CBD.

The 5 storey Distinction Hotel boasts 85 well appointed guest rooms and FREE UNLIMITED WIFI; it is the ideal Palmerston North accommodation choice for travellers who appreciates great value, convenience and excellent accommodation. The Palmerston North hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from shops, the museum, Palmerston North Conference & Functions Centre on Main St, art galleries & theatres.

Use Promo code: NZEA24

*Discount applies to stays on 26-28 August 2024 only. If you wish to stay outside of these dates, kindly contact the reservations team..

Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North

Fable Christchuch

$150 per night room only, or $175 per night, bed and breakfast
Offer valid for stays 26-28 August 2024

Located just off The Square, Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North is ideal for explorers and business travellers alike. The main roads of Palmy, the locals’ affectionate name for Palmerston North, radiate from The Square, so our guests are perfectly placed to sample all the city has to offer.

Use Promo code: NZEA24

*Discount applies to stays on 21-24 August 2023 only.

Quest Palmerson North

$255 per night, room only
Offer valid for stays 26-28 August 2024

Located in the CBD, Quest Palmerston North is minutes from the Manawatu River Walkway and Victoria Esplanade. The apartments are situated for all your needs, including shopping, relaxation, and entertainment options within walking distance.

Use Promo code: NZEA824

Meet the Judges

  • Emily Travers

    HEAD OF COMMERCIAL SPORT, PARTNERSHIPS AND EVENTS
    NZME

    As NZME’s Head of Commercial Sport, Partnerships and Events, Emily is responsible for the design, negotiation, leverage and management of strategic partnerships for New Zealand’s leading media brands, as well as leading NZME’s events business and commercial sport initiatives. Prior to joining the media industry, Emily held senior roles in a broad range of organisations, from not-for-profits to corporates and sporting organisations, including IAG New Zealand, Queenstown Events Centre, Canterbury Cricket, and Auckland Rugby/Blues. Emily’s extensive knowledge of the sports/events sector ensures she is known for delivering best-of-breed results across the board – from event marketing, sponsorship, and communications, to finance and operations.

  • Nick Sautner

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE, EDEN PARK

    Nick crossed the Tasman and joined the Eden Park team in June 2016. His 20 years’ experience has included roles at Colonial Stadium, Telstra Dome, Etihad Stadium, Domain Stadium and West Australian Football Commission. Throughout his career, Nick has remained committed to enhancing business acumen as well as acquiring further technical skills and knowledge. He has studied in China, Germany and the USA and holds Bachelor degrees in Business and Arts, as well as a Master of Business Administration.

    In 2019 Nick was proud to receive the Executive of the Year award at The Stadium Business Summit, and Venue Executive of the Year and Supreme Venue Person of the Year at the EVANZ Awards. He proudly became a Certified Venue Executive in 2020 with IAVM.

  • Jane Blackmore

    Founder & Director, Brand Magic

    Jane and the Brand Magic team have been innovators in experiential events for over twenty years - creating and delivering numerous high-profile marketing, sponsorship, communication, and design/build solutions for a significant portfolio of global & New Zealand household brands and events. With extensive experience spanning sports, arts, major events, FMCG, corporate, cross-cultural, and community sectors, Jane is also passionate about contributing her skills to various commercial and not-for-profit organisations in a governance capacity.

  • Kane Silcock

    Marketing and Sponsorship specialist

    Kane Silcock has over 20 years’ experience working for a several Global businesses in Marketing and Sponsorship. In 2008 Kane launched LG to the New Zealand market and within 3 years saw it become one of our top Consumer electronic brands. He also spent 7 years supporting Fonterra as their Global Sponsorship Manager working across the wider Fonterra business, creating global policies and frameworks, to ensure properties are carefully selected, well leveraged, and delivered a commercial return.

    Kane currently contracts to a range of SME and sporting organisations to build marketing strategies and commercial revenue plans, while volunteering time to the European Sponsorship Association, NZEA mentorship programme and a few Non for Profits to help improve the sponsorship and events industry.

  • Mandy Deans

    COMPANY OWNER, BUSINESS WANAKA

    Mandy is semi-retired, having left as Event Manager of Warbirds Over Wanaka’s International Airshow in 2022, after 14 years in the role. She has just finished an additional ten month contract with Warbirds to load Airshow photos into the Cloud and she continues to mentor event personnel and judge NZEA’s Event Awards, keeping her involved in the event sector.

    Now a Contractor, Director of People for Wildlife (Australia) and a Trustee for Uplift in Kind, both Charities, Mandy continues to work in the not-for-profit sector.

    From 2001 as CEO of Business Porirua (the City’s Economic Development Agency and Chamber of Commerce) Mandy spearheaded Porirua’s new and existing business and economic development.

    Working in Wellington from 1992 to 2001, with Parents Centres NZ, as National Marketing Manager, Mandy also established fundraising programmes, new events and volunteer programmes.

  • Eric Ngan

    Eric Ngan

    Eric Ngan has 30 years’ experience across mainstream and multi-ethnic projects, in the events and festival industry, the creative arts sector, and is an active Urban Sketcher.

    Currently at Auckland Council, Eric is principally working to rejuvenate the city centre with events, activations, and place enhancements - such as the hugely popular Turama lighting installations for Auckland’s Matariki Festival.

    As an Event Producer, Eric led on New Zealand’s largest cultural event, the Auckland Lantern Festival, attracting annual audiences upwards of 200,000. Other similar major project management includes: the Auckland Diwali Festival, Te Papa 10th Birthday Celebrations, Cuba Street Carnival Night Parade, Rugby World Cup 2011 Fan Zone, and NZ’s first Mass Vaccination Event.

    With a view on ‘the public good’ through all projects, Eric has operationalised policies such as Smokefree, Accessibility, Healthy menus, LP Gas Bottle use, and Environmental sustainability, and embedded and normalised these workstreams into project plans for major events.

    Active in the creative arts community as a practitioner and supporter, Eric has coordinated the arts group Urban Sketchers Auckland since 2012 and recently successfully Hosted and Event Directed the 11th International Urban Sketchers Symposium. With 450 participants from around the world, anecdotally, this was the largest gathering of practicing artists in New Zealand.

    Via the Oryza Foundation, Eric is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the events and creative arts sector. With focus on pan-Asian creatives, Eric is supporting the growth and development of the new wave of future talent for New Zealand.in the 21st century.

  • Andrea Nelson

    CEO, GYMNASTICS NZ

    Andrea is the new CEO of Gymnastics NZ, having previously been CEO of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the premier event in women’s cricket hosted in New Zealand in 2022. Andrea brings significant sports and major event experience, having previously been GM New Zealand for the Rugby League World Cup 2017, and Director of Marketing and Communications for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and having held senior Communications roles with London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  • Shane Vuletich

    MANAGING DIRECTOR, FRESHINFO

    Shane Vuletich is the Managing Director of Fresh Info, New Zealand’s leading provider of event evaluation services.  He has 20 years’ experience building event evaluation frameworks, including Event Economics, and has used them to assess the impacts of more than 500 events over the past decade.

  • Michelle Campbell

    Michelle has been working within the sports industry for over 16 years. A lawyer by trade, she has been involved in both a legal and non-legal capacity across a number of different sporting organisations and events. In addition to inhouse legal roles at New Zealand Rugby, Rugby World Cup 2011 and Australian Rugby, Michelle has been involved in non-legal roles with a wide variety of other sports and events including the Tarawera Ultramarathon, New Zealand Golf Open, FIFA U20 World Cup, ITU World Triathlon Auckland, Queenstown International Marathon, Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race, Tri Taranaki Festival, Motatapu, Hawkes Bay Marathon and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

  • Jason Dawson

    REGIONAL AFFAIRS MANAGER,
    ARARAURANGI AIR NEW ZEALAND

    Jason Dawson is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua descent and is currently the Regional Affairs Manager for Araraurangi Air New Zealand. Jason was previously the chief executive for Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and was part of the advisory panel for the establishment of the regional events fund to stimulate New Zealand’s tourism and events sector due to the economic impacts of Covid-19. Other achievements during his tenure saw the development of Waikato’s first regional visitor brand, “The Mighty Waikato”, as well as the region’s first major events strategy which supported a variety of successful bids from the World Series of Darts and NZ Sevens Rugby through to the International Breast Cancer Paddler Festival 2023. Under his leadership , the Waikato region also attracted a number of high-profile international and national business events, conventions and meetings.

    Previous event experience includes leading the team responsible for the Hamilton 150th birthday festival, leading the communications, marketing and community engagement activities for the Northland 2011 Rugby World Cup and co-convenor for the Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM)’s national web and digital conference for over 10 years.

  • Claire Beard

    HEAD OF WOMEN’S RUGBY
    NZ RUGBY

    Claire Beard is Head of Women's rugbu at NZ Rugby. Prior to this, she was the CEO of Triathlon New Zealand. Claire’s involvement in sport spans more than a decade, having worked on Rugby World Cup 2011, holding several roles in regional sports trusts, major events and recreation before taking the helm at TNZ seven years ago.

  • Rebecca Ingram

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE
    TOURISM INDUSTRY AOTEAROA

    As Chief Executive of TIA, New Zealand’s only independent association that represents all sectors of New Zealand’s large and diverse tourism industry, Rebecca leads the team representing 1200 member businesses from small owner/operators to large publicly listed tourism corporates and international hotel chains.

    Prior to joining TIA, Rebecca spent seven years at Tourism New Zealand (TNZ), where she held various roles including General Manager of New Zealand and Government Relations. She was previously responsible for TNZ’s PR and Major Events, leading a global team across 10 markets in highlighting the best of what New Zealand has to offer to visitors.

    Rebecca has 20 years of leadership, marketing and communications expertise, with proven experience delivering successful business strategies, engagement and advocacy programmes and leading complex transformation in her time at both Spark (then Telecom) and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

  • Andrew O'Loughlin

    Andrew O'Loughlin

    LEADING ADVISOR, DESIGNER, MENTOR

    Andrew O’Loughlin is a Melbourne based Event Advisor, Author, Trainer and co-host of ‘The Event Show’ podcast. Having started his career in Queenstown 25 years ago, Andrew spent the last decade leading international event agency Limelight Sports. With experiences across major events, community festivals, corporate, brand, sport and government related campaigns, Andrew is now leading and facilitating shared learning experiences. Andrew’s ‘Experience Design Playbook’ process uses ‘Experience Design’ methods, to create more influential events, and influential event people.

  • Amy McNicol

    Amy McNicol

    Amy McNicol is a sports marketing specialist, passionate about giving women’s sport and female athletes a platform.

    She is currently a Director of North Harbour Rugby Union, and delivering an event series at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ fan festivals called EQUALIZE. EQUALIZE will celebrate women across sport, society, culture and business.

    Amy headed up commercial partnership delivery for the highly successful Rugby World Cup 2021, and her time as Director of Global Sponsorship at AIG saw her awarded the NZEA Best Event Sponsorship Professional in 2018.

    Sport is a central theme of Amy’s career having spent several years working at Manchester United, as well as time at New Zealand Cricket, Leeds Rugby, Leeds United and Toyota and Lexus negotiating rights deals and activating multimillion-dollar global partnerships.

  • David Inns

    David Inns

    David Inns finished his tenure as CEO of Chief Executive of the Auckland Arts Festival in August 2022 having led the festival through ten iterations since March 2009, including leading the strategic decision to take Auckland Arts Festival from a biennial to an annual event in 2016.

    David has 35+ years of experience in senior arts management and production roles internationally and within New Zealand including Chief Executive – New Zealand International Arts Festival Trust 2002-2009, Technical Director – WOMAD NZ 2003 – 2007, Executive Director – Taranaki Arts Festival Trust 1998 - 2002, and Technical Director – Assembly Theatre, Edinburgh Festival 1996 - 2001.

    Over these years in the festival’s world, David has built extensive networks with many arts organisations within New Zealand and internationally and, together with the Artistic Directors, was instrumental in securing large scale events for Festivals. He has played a key role in commissioning, developing, and presenting numerous new Aotearoa and international works across multiple genres, both in New Zealand and offshore.

    David has an extensive education and production background and led Auckland Festival Trust’s delivery of Auckland’s Queens Wharf entertainment and events programme during Rugby World Cup 2011, World Masters Games 2016, and the British Lions Tour 2017.

    David is now based in Wellington working on a freelance consulting basis in the arts and event industry with companies including Tāwhiri Festival and Events.

  • Anna Magdalinos

    Anna Magdalinos

    HEAD OF TICKETING, NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA, EVENTFINDA

    Anna Magdalinos has over 24 years of experience in the Ticketing and Events industry.

    As the Head of Ticketing for Eventfinda, Anna has a proven track record in building strong relationships and developing new business opportunities. Anna is passionate about driving improved development and design within the ticketing platform and seeing more technology-based, NZ-owned solutions showcased within the ticketing industry.

    With a passion and love of the performing arts, her previous roles have included Arts organisations as well sporting organisations including IMG on Rugby World Cup 2011 and NZ Rugby League across the 2012 ANZAC test and the 2010 Four Nations Tournament.

  • Arthur Klap MNZM

    Arthur is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leaders in sports governance, sports management, major events and event tourism. He has a proven track record of delivering major international events and, since 1994, has delivered twelve World Championships, across eight sports, and twenty three World Cups. Arthur was a founding Board member of the NZ Events Association. In 2018 Arthur stepped down as CEO of the Winter Games NZ and is now focused on governance and advisory work in sport and tourism.

  • Anne Hindson

    Project Manager, Events & Projects

    Many will know Anne as the co-owner and co-organiser of the Eventing the Future Conference since its inception in 2001 until 2019, after which time the NZ Events Association took over ownership from Anne and her business partner, Peter Burley.

    Anne’s decades-long career in the events sector includes many event-related roles for Christchurch City Council, Touch NZ and developing tertiary papers in event management for Lincoln University which later progressed to the development of the Graduate Diploma in Event Management - the first specialised Event degree in the country. Anne has also worked as a consultant on event strategies, and business development and design for event venues.

    Anne served a 4-year term as an NZEA Board member, including 2 years as Chair over the Rugby World Cup period. Anne’s tenure also oversaw the employment of the first paid staff member for NZEA and she was key in establishing relationships with New Zealand Major Events and Sport New Zealand as well as establishing the New Zealand Event Awards Programme.

Thanks to our partners

Host City sponsor

Category sponsor

Supporting sponsor

We are delighted to present the industry awards at a gala dinner on 9 November 2023. This will see the introduction of new awards categories which will showcase excellence and industry best practice, the movers and shakers and the rising stars. The Awards evening provides an opportunity for both brand promotion and for sharing knowledge among peers. It is an excellent opportunity to network, and enjoy the social scene.

Category sponsorship available from $5,000 - enquire now.

Partner with us

Excellence Awards

Best Arts or Cultural Event 2021
Kitchen Takeover – Taiao: Food of the Gods

Best Business Event 2021 - Sponsored by ChristchurchNZ
Toyota Hospitality Experience – 36th America’s Cup , PPG Events

Best Community or Not-for-Profit Event 2021 - Sponsored by Kennedy Park
CupaDupa, Creative Capital Arts Trust

Best COVID-19 Response for an Event 2021 - Sponsored by ChristchurchNZ
THREE WINNERS
Boma COVID-19 Virtual Summit, Boma New Zealand
Ports of Auckland Round the Bays, Stuff
uLearn20, CORE Education

Best Event Marketing 2021
ASB for The ASB Sustainaball – ASB Classic 

Best Lifestyle Event 2021 - Sponsored by Big Barrell (In association with Peroni Italy)
Kitchen Takeover - Eat Your Memories

Best Local Government Event 2021
TSB Festival of Lights, New Plymouth District Council

Best Major or Mega Event 2021
The 36th America’s Cup, Auckland Unlimited

Best Music Event 2021 - Sponsored by Red Badge
Rhythm and Vines

Best Sports Event 2021 - Sponsored by Kennedy Park
ASB Classic, Tennis Auckland 

2022 winners

Individual Awards

Best Emerging Event Professional 2021 - Sponsored by ChristchurchNZ
Cuillin Hearty

Best Established Event Professional 2021
Valentina Paladini

Best Event Sponsorship Professional 2021
Matt Davy

Support Awards

Best Event Creative 2021
PPG Events for the Toyota Hospitality Experience – 36th America’s Cup

Best Event Use of Technology 2021
New Plymouth District Council for Oxfam Trailwalker

Best Supplier 2021
Platform 4 Group for the 36th America’s Cup Village

Best Venue 2021 - Sponsored by Trinity Hill
Claudelands Oval for SIX60 Saturdays

Achievement Awards

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award 2021- Sponsored by Kennedy Park
TWO WINNERS
Te Rangi Huata
Anne Hindson

New Zealand's Favourite Event 2021 - Sponsored by Fresh Info
(Public vote kindly hosted by Eventfinda)
TSB Festival of Lights, New Plymouth District Council