Industry Association Celebrated the Best of Outdoor Events

22nd November 18, UK: From festivals to a world-renowned heritage attraction, the winners of the 15th annual National Outdoor Events Association Awards have been announced, following an exclusive gala dinner in Bath’s stunning Pump Rooms.

Bournemouth 7s Festival scooped both the Large Festival of the Year Award and Sporting Event of the Year. The judges said: “We liked the idea of merging a sporting event with a festival, adding a wider message of making sport fun for everyone. It was a unique spin on a sporting event and enabled more people to get involved.”

The panel of judges was led by Alistair Turner, Managing Director of EIGHT PR and Marketing; he was joined by Andy McNicholl. City Events Manager for Liverpool Council, Sally Piggott, Head of Festivals, UK for Eventbrite, Gill Tee from entertee, and Rachel Baker, GL events UK.

Glastonbury Abbey and Liverpool Bordeaux Wine Festival took Best New Event with the judges awarding two prizes – the abbey winning small new event and the Merseyside festival taking the trophy for large new event. The Edinburgh Festival won the Judges Award.

Andy Grove, President of NOEA said:

“The quality of the award winners was genuinely outstanding, and showed innovation, creative thinking and experience. These are great events, run by the best event professionals, and are a credit to the industry. We’re delighted to be giving them the recognition they deserve through NOEA.”

Susan Tanner, CEO of NOEA said:

“The theme of the convention during the day was ‘It Could Never Happen to Me’, and underlines how NOEA members are providing the foundation of safety and security that allows creative event professionals to flourish. The winners this year showed professionalism and creative thought, and are a credit to the industry.”

Alistair Turner, Chair of the Judging Panel said:

“The standard of entries keeps getting higher and higher, which demonstrates the commitment of organisers to produce high quality event experiences. To win a NOEA award you need to be doing something really great.”

Winners

Best Practice Award: eat:festivals

Caterer of the Year Award: Belistore

Event Innovation of the Year Award: SimpliWifi

Event of the Year Award: Tom Kerridges Pub in the Park

Event Organiser of the Year Award: Gill Tee and Deb Shilling – Black Deer Festival

Event Supplier of the Year – Infrastructure: SimpliWiFi

Event Supplier of the Year – Services: Catered by Justin

Event Team of the Year Award: We Are The Fair

Large Festival of the Year Award: Bournemouth 7s Festival

PR Campaign of the Year: Timber Festival

Medical Provider of the Year: Festimed Limited

Production Partnership Year Award: We are Placemaking with Grosvenor Estates

Small Event of the Year: Dunstable Town Council

Small Festival of the Year: Just So Festival

Sporting Event of the Year Award: Bournemouth 7s Festivals

Student Event of the Year: University of Gloucestershire Final Year Event Management Students with Clair Greenaway & John Lannon

Best New Event Award: Glastonbury Abbey, Liverpool Bordeaux Wine Festival

The NOEA Scotland Tribute Award: Aberdeen City Council City Events

Judges Award: Edinburgh Festival

President’s Award: Dick Tee

Further information: Susan Tanner NOEA susan@noea.org.uk