The UK's EN (Exhibition News) Indy Awards & Conference returned after a two-year hiatus to celebrate the best of independent exhibition organisers at the HAC, London on 21 October.
Hosted by comedian Tiff Stevenson, the awards began with the Greatest Indy Inspiration, which went to Media 10’s Lee Newton.
The third edition of the event saw awards winners crowned across 20 other categories, including Trade Show of the Year, Bravest Launch and the Indy Disruptor Award.
Earlier in the day, the conference covered panel sessions on topics such as private equity, insurance, how to launch a show, how to be an event disruptor and how to build a 365-day event via a community.
Conference speakers included Simon Naudi, Denzil Rankine, Penny Moyses, Mike Seaman, Jamie Leonard, Kate Chambers and Rebecca King.
EN editor Emily Wallin said: “The calibre of entries this year has blown us away. We were especially impressed by the number of launches during incredibly straining times for event organisers. It was also welcome to see so many supporting venues and suppliers nominated by the organisers who rely on them.”
The full list of award winners can be found below.
Best 365 Community (Sponsored by Guild) - The Gin To My Tonic
Best Brand Collaboration (Sponsored by Evolution Dome) - Thorough Events
Best Independent Consumer Show Launch (Sponsored by Circdata Limited) - Raccoon Media Group (National Outdoor Expo)
Best Independent Trade Show Launch (Sponsored by Exhibition Centre Liverpool) - Hub Exhibitions Ltd (Space-Comm Expo)
Best Indy Event Director (Sponsored by Creative Hire) - Media Business Insight (Charlotte Wheeler) - Media Production & Technology Show
Best Indy Operations Team (Sponsored by Onward Display) - The Gin To My Tonic
Best Supporting Supplier (Sponsored by International Confex) - Giant iTab
Best Supporting Venue - Farnborough International
Best Visitor Engagement (Sponsored by ExCeL London) - The Scottish Wedding Show
Bravest Launch (Sponsored by NEC Group) - Footprint Brighton Ltd (FOOTPRINT+)
Consumer Show of the Year (Sponsored by Olympia London) - Thorough Events (Concours of Elegance)
David and Goliath Award (Sponsored by Immersive AV) - I Do Magazine Ltd. (I Do Weddings Exhibition)
Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Daclus Woodworks) - Raccoon Media Group
Indy Disruptor Award (Sponsored by Human Built) - The Recruitment Events Co. (RecFest)
Indy Marketing Visionary (Sponsored by ASP Solutions Ltd) - Terri Hignett (ICHF Events)
Most Impressive Growth – Consumer Show (Sponsored by Farnborough International) - F2F Media (Allergy and Free From Show & Just V Show Winter)
Most Impressive Growth – Trade Show (Sponsored by Global Experience Specialists (GES) - Eljays44 (FutureScape)
The Legacy Award (Sponsored by Exhibition World) - Step Connect2 Ltd
Trade Show of the Year (Sponsored by NAEC Stoneleigh Events) - Media Business Insight (Media Production & Technology Show)
Unsung Hero (Sponsored by NAEC Stoneleigh Events) - Derek Walder - Saltex (Grounds Management Association)
Greatest Indy Inspiration - Lee Newton (Media10)
