The Event Supplier and Services Association’s Annual Awards are now open, with 14 individual categories available for those looking to be recognised and celebrated for their contributions to the events industry this year.

Taking place on 5 December 2024 at the Warwick Conferences, The University of Warwick, Coventry, and sponsored by beMatrix and Abraxys Global, the event will see event professionals from across the industry come together for a night of celebration to honour inspirational individuals, teams and organisations, both big and small, who have demonstrated exceptional work in the events industry.

One of the most popular categories - The ESSA Young Person’s Award - has been updated for 2024. Previously only awarded to one individual, this year several extraordinary individuals who have shown passion and commitment to creating fantastic events will receive the award and will also gain exclusive access to a range of additional services through ESSA, including:

• Visits to other ESSA Award winning companies to get a wider understanding of the industry
• Attending and leading roundtables on subjects they are passionate about
• An invitation to judge next year’s ESSA Young Person’s Award
• First refusal to become a mentee on the ESSA Mentoring Programme
• A seat on the Future Focus Working Group

All nominations will be assessed by an expert panel of judges. The full list of categories is:

• ESSA Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award ESSA Young Person Award - **UPDATED for 2024**
• ESSA Member Company Award
• ESSA Unsung Hero
• Best Organiser
• Best Venue
• Sustainability
• Print
• AV & Production
• Logistics
• Full-Service Contractor
• Best Stand Build under 10 sqm
• Best Stand Build under 30 sqm
• Best Stand Build over 30 sqm

Speaking on the announcement of the ESSA Awards, ESSA Director Andrew Harrison said:

“ESSA’s Young Person Award has consistently been one of our most popular initiatives, offering a platform to shine a light on the exceptional talents that these young professionals bring to our industry. These individuals have the potential to become our next generation of industry leaders, so it’s important that we do all we can to provide them with the support they need to thrive. We are proud to be able to offer access to unique opportunities that will foster their growth and develop their careers in the events sector”

Every ESSA member is eligible to submit an entry, which is free to enter. Full details and application forms can be found here. Completed forms and portfolios of evidence must be submitted by 5pm Friday 4 October 2024.

The awards will be presented after the ESSA Conference at ESSA’s annual Dinner and Awards hosted at Warwick Conferences, The University of Warwick, Coventry on Thursday 5 December.

ESSA members will receive two complimentary tickets for the ESSA Conference, Dinner and Awards. Additional tickets start from £90 plus VAT, on sale from September.