The AEO Excellence Awards 2011 .. / ...The Lords Taverners, AEO’s adopted charity, raised over £8,000 at this year’s ceremony with a charity raffle



Keith Harris and Justin Tadman

The AEO Excellence Awards 2011 took place Friday 1 July in The Capital Hall at ExCeL London.
The flagship ceremony for the live events and exhibition industry was attended by more than 1,200 professionals; all vying for the top slot in their respective categories.

Flowery shirts and dresses were the order of the day as The Capital Hall was transformed into a hidden summer garden party which started with a Pimms Drinks Reception.

The ceremony was hosted by comedian Dominic Holland and featured body-popping specialists Chris and Wes who demonstrated exactly why they won the Sky One dance spectacular ‘Got To Dance’.

But it was two very different characters who stole the show as guests received a crash course in dancing, Stavros Flatley style!

Austen Hawkins, CEO, said: “I couldn’t have wished for a better event. The AEO Excellence Awards is the biggest party in the industry and this year’s event recognised the achievements in every area, from organisers to venues to suppliers. Congratulations to all the winners.

“ExCeL, Leith’s, Beyond Media Services, and all our other event partners and supporters really went to town and seeing the captains of industry bouncing and dancing around tables will stay with me for a long time!”

The Lords Taverners, AEO’s adopted charity, raised over £8,000 at this year’s ceremony with a charity raffle that included prizes such as a two-week holiday in a private villa on Nevis Island in the West Indies. The charity also showcased the new AEO-funded minibus which will provide a vital function to disadvantaged youngsters.
The winners of the AEO Excellence Awards 11 are:

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

Sponsored by Reed Exhibitions

Keith Harris, Chairman, Quartz Group

Best Consumer Launch Show

Sponsored by SO Group

The Big Scuba Show by Circle Publishing organised by Bluestone Events

Best Trade Launch Show

Sponsored by ASP

Farm Shop & Deli Show by William Reed Business Media

Supplier Team of the Year

Sponsored by the nec group birmingham

CEVA Showfreight IT

Venue Team of the Year

Sponsored by Leith’s      

EC&O Marketing

Organiser Team of the Year

Sponsored by SO Visit

Fresh RM

Stand Design & Build Supplier of the Year

Sponsored by  Smart AV

Communication by Design

Best Tradeshow Exhibition – Under NET 2,000M2

Sponsored by Ungerboeck Software International 

lunch! by Diversified Business Communications

Unsung Hero

Sponsored by Event Magazine   

Dave Freeman, Goods Receiver at Manchester Central Convention Complex

Official Contractor of the Year

Sponsored by ExCeL London

CEVA Showfreight

Marketing Campaign of the Year

Sponsored by ADNEC

Labelexpo Americas by Tarsus Group

Venue Sustainable Initiative of the Year

Sponsored by Perton Signs

'Plan-it green' by Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Best Consumer Live Event

Sponsored by Blitz          

Jameson Cult Film Club by Miss Jones & Co (London)

Best Trade Live Event

Sponsored by Reality

The Oracle Retail Week Awards by Emap Inform

International Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Melville Event and Exhibition Services

ADNEC

Equipment Supplier of the Year

Sponsored by Confex Group  

Penny Banks

Best Consumer Exhibition

Sponsored by The Events Venue at Bluewater  

The Gadget Show Live by Upper Street Events

Service Supplier of the Year

Sponsored by Gainsborough

Melville Middle East

UK Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Toyota Material Handling

ExCeL London

Best Tradeshow Exhibition – Over Net 2,000m2

Sponsored by EC&O Venues

Ipex by Informa Exhibitions

The Excellence Award

Media 10 Events