#eventshow

The Middle East Event Awards bring together the who’s who of the industry for an evening of celebration, networking and world class entertainment.

We recognise and reward the outstanding individuals, teams and companies that have been involved in creating some of the best events in the world, including marketers, designers, suppliers, planners and many more.

NEW FOR 2020

This year we have 24 award categories up for grabs and each year the quality of nominations being submitted increases. In 2019, we had around 400 nominations through our online portal and this year we expect even more. With the competition so fierce, shortlisted applicants this year will have the chance to present their nomination to our judging panel in a private audience.

Event timeline

12 February

Open Award Applications

All award applications must be submitted via our online portal before the entry deadline

22 March

Application Deadline

Award nominations need to be submitted online before 5pm (GMT +4) on the 22nd March 2020

1 April

Online Scoring Closed

Judges scores will be averaged and the top scoring nominations from each category will be released in a shortlist

6 May

Shortlist Released

The award shortlist will be announced on the 6th May via our marketing campaign and on our event website. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted and informed of next steps

11-14 May

Shortlist Presentations & Round Table

Shortlisted nominees will be invited to a round table to present and discuss their entries with the judging panel. The judges will deliberate the final winner. Exact date TBC.

2020 Awards Shortlist

Best Arts and Culture Event

HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for HIPA 8th Season Award Ceremony
HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for Holy Mass presided by His Holiness Pope Francis
LHP & Dubai Culture for Qurantech
People for Al Hosn Festival
People for Al Mawlid Al Nabawi Evening

Best Association/Corporate Meeting

ADNEC Services for Eighth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, 2020
ADNEC Services for World Urban Forum 10, 2020
The Event Production Company Dubai for MTN Global Leadership Conference 2019
Messe Frankfurt Middle East for Digital Next Summit
Mosaic Live Communications FZ LLC for Huawei Phone Launch

Best Community Event

HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for Holy Mass presided by His Holiness Pope Francis
JK58 for Dubai Cares Walk for Education 2020
People for Special Olympics Opening & Closing Ceremonies
REDFILO for The Festival at Masdar City
Viola Communications for Abu Dhabi Science Festival and Innovator 2019

Best Consumer Exhibition

Global Event Management for Insomnia Gaming Festival Dubai and Saudi
Informa Markets for Middle East Games Con
ONE Communication & Marketing Group for The Middle East Youth Expo 2020
The School & Nursery Show for The School & Nursery Show
Viola Communications for Abu Dhabi Science Festival & Innovator 2019

Best Employer of the Year

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company
dmg events
DXB LIVE
Omanexpo
The Hanging House

Best Entertainment Production

Dance It Out Dubai for Halloween on Al Maryah Island
LHP – Lighthouse Productions for Presidents Sports Awards 2019
People for Special Olympics Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Pyramedia Group for Zaman Al Jameel
West End Worldwide for Insomnia Main Stage Gaming Tribute Shows

Best Event Marketing Campaign of the Year

Coca-Cola Arena for The launch and opening of Coca-Cola Arena
dmg events for INDEX
Informa for BRIDE Shows
Informa Markets for Middle East Film & Comic Con
Messe Frankfurt Middle East for Beautyworld Middle East 2019

Best Event on a Budget

LHP - Lighthouse Productions for Dar Al Ber Orphans Celebration
Pursued by a Bear for KLM 100th Birthday
Mosaic Live for DEWA Solar Decathlon 2019
Rush-A-Way for Oman Insurance Corporate Challenge
urbanevents for #DXBExperiments presents Underground

Best Event Space Design & Décor

DXB LIVE for Knowledge Summit 2019
DXB LIVE for UAE Astronaut Launch Event 2019
HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for Anniversary Celebration of signing the Declaration of Human Fraternity
HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for Holy Mass presided by His Holiness Pope Francis
Viola Communications for Morocco in Abu Dhabi 2019

Best Event Video Solution

Creative Technology for Diriyah Gate Opening Ceremony
Creative Technology for IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019
Creative Technology for Leila, Land of Imagination
Creative Technology for Special Olympics Opening Ceremony
mediaPro International for Nissan Patrol 2020 Facelift Launch
mediaPro International for Pakistan Super League opening ceremony 2019

Best Light & Sound Production

LHP & FAALYAT for KINGS CUP 2019 BAHRAIN
mediaPro International for Formula E- Diriyah Seasons
mediaPro International for Pakistan Super League opening ceremony 2019
mediaPro International for Red Fest DXB 2020
Neumann&Müller Event Technology LLC for BLAST Pro Series Global Final of the Counter strike - Bahrain

Best Music Event

DONE EVENTS for A. R. RAHMAN LIVE AT COCA COLA ARENA
DONE EVENTS for MAROON 5 - RED PILL BLUES TOUR
Live Nation Middle East for Dakar Rally Closing
Live Nation Middle East for Diriyah Season Concerts
Live Nation Middle East for Riyadh Season Concerts

Best Social Event

Alpha Omega Services FZLLC for Nissan Patrol global launch
DONE EVENTS for CAESARS BLUEWATERS & HELL'S KITCHEN LAUNCH
People for Al Mawlid Al Nabawi Evening
People for Special Olympics Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Viola Communications for Abu Dhabi Science Festival & Innovator 2019

Best Sporting Event

Falcon & Associates for OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for GOV GAMES 2019
JK58 for Under Armour Dubai Fitness Challenge 2019
Rush-A-Way for Oman Insurance Corporate Challenge
Stamina Productions for ABB FIA Formula E Championship - SAUDIA DIRIYAH E-PRIX 2019

Best Stand Design & Build

Arena Middle East & Asia for their stand Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority at Dubai Airshow 2019
DXB LIVE for their stand Abu Dhabi Digital Authority at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK
DXB LIVE for their stand The Ministry of Interior at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2019
IBS Stage Sets for their stand EDGE: Dubai Air Show at Dubai Air Show
OP3 Global for their stand ADNOC at ADIPEC 2019

Best Supplier of the Year

Aggreko Event Services
Al Laith
Arena Middle East & Asia
DXB LIVE
The Fridge

Best Sustainability Initiative

Electra for Global Grad Show 2019
Informa Markets for Arab Health
LHP Lighthouse Productions – DUBAI CULTURE for FILMS In A Box - FIBOX
Plan b Events for Bring Your Child to Work Day - Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi
The Hanging House for The Desert Survival Escape Room

Best Temporary Venue or Structure

Arena Middle East & Asia for Al Diriyah Arena
Protec (Production Technology LLC) for IDEX 25th Anniversary Opening Ceremony
Arena Middle East & Asia for OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
Viola Communications for Morocco in Abu Dhabi 2019
HQ Worldwide Shows LLC for Anniversary Celebration of signing the declaration of Human Fraternity

Best Trade Exhibition

dmg events for Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS 2020)
dmg events for INDEX
dmg events for The Big 5 & Co-located Specialised Events
Messe Frankfurt Middle East for Beautyworld Middle East
Omanexpo for Food and Hospitality Oman

Best Use of New Technology at an Event

Eventagrate for their Future Lab - Holographic Room at Dubai Air Show 2019
Eventagrate for their Holographic Stage with Supporting Elements at Edge Global Launch Event
Eventagrate for their Robot vs Human+AI at Dubai Air Show 2019
mamemo for their Achievements Tunnel & Holographic Presentation Room at NPCC’S Completion of the World's Largest Offshore Oil Platform
Mosaic Live Communications FZ LLC for their Hologram Projection for Opening Keynote at SIFF 2019 at Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth

Best Venue

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
Coca-Cola Arena
InterContinental Fujairah Resort
The Fridge Warehouse
ZERO GRAVITY

Outstanding Brand Activation Event

House of Comms and CasaMilan for VANCHELLA Festival, by Emirates Motor Company and Mercedes-Benz Vans MENA
JK58 for Under Armour Dubai Fitness Challenge
Quintessentially for Rolls-Reversed Series of Events
The Hanging House for The Desert Survival Escape Room
urbanevents for #DXBExperiments presents Underground

Judges Panel

Sophie Heyman

Head Of Events Cemea, Visa

Sophie has 15 years’ experience creating and delivering high profile events and sponsorships across the globe. Currently, Head of Events CEMEA at Visa and most recently at Nomura in London, Sophie has a diverse range of expertise, developed both agency side and in-house, for clients such as Unilever, Diageo, ExxonMobil, LVMH and Formula One.

Mark Satchell

CEO, All Entertianment Group

Mark Satchell is Group Chief Operating Officer of All Entertainment Group (AEG) and is an accomplished Senior Executive with a demonstrable record of achievement in the theatrical, events, festival and venue management sectors.

Naji El Haddad

Regional Manager Mea, UFI

Over his 14 years career, Naji has built a very strong industry knowledge in the exhibitions, summits and sustainability industries leading one of the largest sustainability summit & expo in the MENA region.

Meet the judges Panel