The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has honoured some of the industry’s top achievers in its annual Awards for Excellence.
Despite a challenging year, the 2020 awards went ahead in a hybrid format, live streamed from an in-person event at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney).
With just two awards up for grabs this year, the calibre of entries was higher than ever according to the panel of judges, led by industry stalwart John Trevillian AM.
The Ungerboeck Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award went to Alysia McAuliffe from Reed Exhibitions Australia, while the Unsung Hero Award was jointly won by Helen Mantellato from ICC Sydney, and Libbie Ray and Juston Prisuda from Connected Event Group.
Attended by more than 150 industry professionals, the awards ceremony followed a day of events for EEAA, including the association’s annual general meeting and the CEO Forum.
EEAA chief executive Claudia Sagripanti said the day gave leaders the opportunity to put forward “a strategic framework to take the industry forward in 2021 and beyond”.
“The events staged yesterday were an important step for the industry, signifying the return of in-person events, as we announced our newly elected board members, undertook a high-level planning session with senior industry representatives and celebrated with the award winners for 2020,” she said.
“Two new Members were elected to join the EEAA Board, including Libbie Ray, director of Connected Event Group and Elissa Duke from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“This result brings greater gender balance to the EEAA Board, adding two new female representatives to the 13 person Executive Committee.”
