This award recognises the destination (e.g., city, region, or country) that has developed and is implementing a comprehensive, long-term strategy to foster a responsible business events ecosystem. It celebrates the collaborative effort required between tourism boards, local government, venues, and suppliers to position the destination as a leader in impact-focused MICE activity. Judges will be looking for a holistic and evidence-based strategy that goes beyond marketing and demonstrates genuine commitment to positive change.

Submissions should detail the destination's vision, measurable targets, and key initiatives in areas such as stakeholder collaboration, supply chain development, and legacy programme facilitation. Entrants should outline how the destination’s infrastructure—including transport, accommodation, and venues—supports the delivery of responsible events, considering elements like local impact and cultural enrichment, as well as sustainability. Evidence of success should include performance metrics, progress against targets, and participation in recognised frameworks such as the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index).

NB: This category is open to all destinations, regardless of size or location. Based on entries received, judges may decide to split this category and award multiple winners. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion, and entrants will not be notified in advance.

This award celebrates events that have fostered connection, celebrated culture, or strengthened community bonds. It recognises events that have not only achieved their primary social objectives but have done so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and creates lasting positive value for the community they serve. Judges will be particularly interested in how the event was co-designed or developed in collaboration with the target community, ensuring authentic representation and engagement.

Entrants should provide evidence of the event's social impact, detailing how it created a sense of belonging, promoted cultural understanding, or addressed specific community needs. Submissions should also explain how environmental and governance considerations were integrated into the event's planning and execution. Evidence could include stakeholder testimonials, participant feedback, and data on community engagement or local economic impact.

This award celebrates the major events, exhibitions, and confexes that are setting a new benchmark for responsible event production at scale. This category is for organisers who view their event's significant size not as a challenge to be mitigated, but as a powerful platform to influence industries, shift supply chains, and engage vast audiences on critical ESG issues.

Judges will be looking for a clear strategy that leverages the event's scale as an asset. Entrants should provide evidence of how they have influenced their extensive network of exhibitors, suppliers, and attendees to adopt more responsible and ethical practices. Submissions must be supported by robust data that quantifies impact at scale—this could include metrics on waste diversion across multiple venues, carbon footprint analysis of attendee travel, or the economic impact on local and diverse-owned businesses within the supply chain.

This award celebrates a group of individuals who have worked together to become powerful agents of change. It's for the dedicated sustainability committees, internal green teams, or client-facing impact units that have successfully championed the ESG agenda, driven meaningful initiatives, and inspired others to take action.

Judges will be looking for evidence of how the team’s collaborative efforts have led to tangible ESG improvements and fostered a wider culture of sustainability within their organisation or for their clients. Entries should detail the team's impact objectives, the specific initiatives they have implemented, and the methods used to engage and influence stakeholders. Crucially, submissions must be supported by measurable outcomes that demonstrate the team’s direct impact. This could include performance data, project case studies, and testimonials from colleagues, leadership, or clients.

Celebrating caterers that place sustainability and ethical considerations at the heart of their menu design, kitchen operations, and service delivery, this award recognises that food and beverage choices represent one of the most significant opportunities for an event to create a positive impact, from both an environmental and social perspective.

Judges will be looking for a comprehensive, 'farm-to-fork' approach to ESG. Submissions must provide clear evidence of a sustainable sourcing policy, including the prioritisation of local, seasonal, and ethically produced ingredients. Particular attention will be paid to the caterer’s strategy for minimising food waste and eliminating single-use packaging. Entrants should also detail how they cater for diverse dietary requirements and contribute to their community, for instance, through partnerships with food redistribution charities.

This award celebrates the tool, technology, or digital platform that most effectively empowers event professionals to achieve their ESG and impact goals. It recognises innovative solutions that provide tangible, measurable, and scalable ways to improve an event's environmental footprint and social handprint.

Judges will be looking for a clear demonstration of how the technology directly enables positive environmental or social outcomes. Entrants should explain the specific ESG challenge their product addresses and provide evidence of its effectiveness through real-world event case studies. Submissions should highlight features related to data collection, analysis, and reporting, showing how the tool helps planners measure what matters. Consideration will also be given to the provider’s own corporate sustainability practices.

This award recognises excellence in the sustainable design, construction, and dismantling of temporary event structures. Open to anyone from agencies and venues to production companies and suppliers, it celebrates the innovation and strategic thinking required to create physically impressive and functional event environments while minimising environmental impact and championing circular economy principles.

Judges will be looking for tangible evidence of sustainable practices throughout the build’s lifecycle. This includes material selection (with a focus on recycled content and end-of-life recyclability), design for disassembly, and innovative waste reduction strategies during both the build and breakdown phases. Entrants should detail the end-of-life plan for all major components, demonstrating a clear commitment to reuse or responsible recycling over landfill. Submissions should be supported by specific data, such as the percentage of materials reused or recycled, waste diversion rates, and any calculations regarding the build's carbon footprint.

This award recognises the organisation, agency or team that has developed the most comprehensive and forward-thinking ESG and impact strategy. The focus here is on the framework and methodology that underpins action, rewarding the strategic thinking that drives meaningful and measurable change across a series or portfolio of events.

Judges will be looking for a clear articulation of the strategy’s goals and the theory of change behind it. Entrants should detail the processes for implementation, stakeholder engagement, and performance measurement. While evidence of successful outcomes from specific events is encouraged, the primary focus will be on the quality, rigour, and scalability of the strategic framework itself. Submissions should include details on goal-setting processes, KPI selection, data collection methods, and how the strategy influences decision-making from event conception to post-event legacy.

This award honours conferences that achieve a powerful synergy between their purpose and their practice. It’s for educational and networking events where the commitment to ESG is just as evident in the operational execution as it is in the content on stage. The award celebrates a holistic, 360-degree approach to impact. Judges will assess how ESG was strategically embedded in all facets of the conference.

Entrants should demonstrate how the content programme actively addressed key sustainability and social issues, how the delegate journey was designed to be inclusive and low-impact, and how operational choices supported the event's overall impact goals. Evidence should include not only key performance metrics (e.g., speaker diversity stats, waste diversion rates) but also a clear articulation of the conference's intended long-term legacy and how it was measured.

NB: This category is open to all conferences, regardless of size or duration. Based on entries received, judges may decide to split this category and award multiple winners. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion, and entrants will not be notified in advance.

This award shines a spotlight on the internal events that galvanise a company's greatest asset—its people—to drive its ESG agenda forward. It honours the pivotal role of internal communications in transforming corporate culture, turning sustainability strategy into a shared mission, and empowering every employee to become an agent of change.

Judges will look beyond a well-executed event to identify a clear, strategic line of sight between the communication initiative and its business impact. Entrants must demonstrate how the event was designed to shift employee understanding, behaviour, or engagement with the company’s core ESG objectives. Success should be evidenced by specific metrics, such as pre- and post-event survey data, uptake rates of related corporate programmes, or tangible examples of employee-led innovation following the event.

This award honours international events that master the complexities of a global stage to deliver exceptional impact. It celebrates events that not only bring diverse, multi-national communities together but do so with a sense of global responsibility, addressing the unique ESG challenges inherent in cross-border collaboration and travel. This award is open to any organisations, regardless of where they’re based.

Judges will be looking for a sophisticated and transparent strategy for addressing any international travel footprint, as well as a strong commitment to global inclusivity, showing how the event catered for a multi-cultural audience through accessible content, diverse programming, and thoughtful logistical planning. Entrants should also detail how they leveraged their global status to create positive local impact in the host destination. Submissions should be supported by data on carbon mitigation efforts, attendee demographics, and examples of how cross-cultural engagement was facilitated.

This award is for the agency that has most successfully embedded ESG and impact into its core business strategy and client offerings. It recognises agencies that act as expert partners, guiding their clients to deliver events that are not only brilliantly executed but also strategically sustainable, inclusive, and purposeful. Judges will be looking for evidence that ESG is a core component of the agency’s identity and operational framework, not just an optional add-on.

Submissions should detail the agency's methodology for integrating ESG throughout the entire event lifecycle, from proposal to post-event impact reporting. Entrants should provide client case studies that demonstrate how their strategic counsel led to enhanced ESG outcomes. Consideration will also be given to the agency's own corporate performance, including staff training, DEI policies, and any relevant certifications (e.g., B Corp, ISO 20121).

NB: This category is open only to agencies with teams or offices based in the UK.

This award is for venues that lead the industry in responsible operations and provide a best-in-class foundation for impactful events. It recognises the long-term commitment, investment, and policies required to embed ESG principles into the very fabric of a building and its management, as well as how it enables clients and visitors to make better decisions. Judges will be looking for evidence of a venue-wide strategy that champions sustainability and social value.

Entrants should provide details on building management and infrastructure (e.g., energy, water, and waste systems), as well as policies related to supply chain diversity, community engagement, and accessibility. Crucially, submissions should demonstrate how the venue team actively collaborates with event planners to achieve their impact goals, acting as a knowledgeable and proactive partner. Supporting evidence should include performance data, relevant certifications (such as BREEAM, LEED, or ISO 20121), and client testimonials that illustrate this commitment in action.

NB: This category is open to all venues, regardless of size or location. Based on entries received, judges may decide to split this category and award multiple winners. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion, and entrants will not be notified in advance.

This award is for festivals that prove that large-scale public events can be a powerful platform for positive change. It celebrates festivals that have placed ESG and impact at the core of their identity and operations, going beyond entertainment to create a lasting legacy.

Judges will be looking for a holistic approach to ESG, demonstrated across the entire event lifecycle. Entrants should provide evidence of impact in areas such as sustainable supply chain management, waste reduction, community engagement, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion through programming and audience development. Submissions should be supported by measurable outcomes, such as carbon footprint analysis, waste diversion rates, or feedback on accessibility and inclusivity initiatives, to demonstrate a clear and successful ESG strategy.  

This award celebrates the art of celebration itself, honouring events that prove purpose and pleasure can go hand-in-hand. It’s for the galas, awards ceremonies, and milestone anniversaries that create unforgettable moments of joy, while demonstrating that a deep commitment to ESG can amplify, not diminish, the spirit of the occasion. Judges will look for creative and seamless integration of ESG principles into the very fabric of the celebration.

Entrants should go beyond the basics to showcase how they reimagined traditional celebratory elements—from decor and dining to entertainment and gifting—with sustainability and social responsibility in mind. The focus should be on how these choices enhanced the overall guest experience and reinforced the event's celebratory purpose, creating a narrative of conscious celebration.

NB: This category is open to all celebratory events, regardless of size or duration. Based on entries received, judges may decide to split this category and award multiple winners. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion, and entrants will not be notified in advance.

This award recognises the AV production provider that excels in delivering state-of-the-art technical solutions while demonstrating a profound commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. It celebrates companies that are actively reducing the environmental footprint of their operations and using their technical expertise to create more inclusive and accessible event experiences.

Judges will be looking for a multi-faceted approach to ESG that covers technology, logistics, and people. Entrants should provide evidence of their investment in energy-efficient equipment (e.g., LED lighting), strategies for transport optimisation, and robust policies for waste management, particularly e-waste. Furthermore, submissions should detail how the company supports crew wellbeing and uses its production design to enhance accessibility for all attendees. The ability to provide clients with data on the production’s energy consumption or carbon footprint will be viewed favourably.

This award recognises an individual who is a true trailblazer and advocate for ESG and impact within the business events industry. This is for the person who, through their personal passion, dedication, and influence, has inspired change, challenged the status quo, and made a significant, measurable contribution to advancing a sustainability, diversity or accessibility agenda.

Judges will be looking for a narrative that demonstrates the individual’s personal journey and unique contribution, going beyond their standard job description. Entries should highlight the nominee’s leadership, their role in educating and inspiring others, and the specific, tangible outcomes of their work. This award is open to individuals at any level of seniority. Submissions should be supported by specific examples of their achievements, along with testimonials from colleagues, clients, or industry peers that speak to their influence and impact.