Events recognised at industry awards

Events recognised at industry awards

WEDNESDAY 11 AUGUST 2010

Presented annually by the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals (NZAEP), the TicketDirect Event Industry Awards are designed to recognise excellence in event management disciplines, with events presented in five categories – Best Environmentally Sustainable Event, Best Emerging Event, Best Established Event, Best Marketing of Event and Best Partnership for an Event.

The Awards, judged by a panel of industry specialists from throughout New Zealand, were presented on Monday evening at an Awards Dinner held in conjunction with the 2010 Eventing the Future Conference.

Winning the Best Environmentally Sustainable Event Award for the third consecutive year, Oxfam Trailwalker was hailed by judges for their clearly defined, comprehensive and robust application.

Oxfam Trailwalker is the most life changing, foot slogging, team building, group hugging experience ever. Teams of four walk 100km to raise funds for communities with whom Oxfam works. Oxfam New Zealand's flagship fundraising event sees 300 teams challenge themselves to challenge poverty each year.

Taking out the Best Emerging Event Award was T42 Central Plateau by Plateau Events and total sport Limited. Judges were impressed with the presentation of the entry which showed excellent community engagement, a proactive approach and impressive understanding of the audience.

The inaugural T42 Central Plateau Mountain Bike and Trail Run event was held in May this year. Participants were offered six event options on the iconic 42nd Traverse track - a 45km Mountain bike ride, a 42km Trail Marathon Run, a 24km Adventure Run or Walk and a 6.5km fun run or walk.

In the Best Established Event category, Motatapu by Iconic Adventures stood out amongst the ‘best of the best’ to take out the Award.

The Motatapu is held on the second weekend of March each year and gives access to a challenging but achievable route, not otherwise open to public, providing competitors an opportunity to experience amazing scenery and historic land. In only 6 years the Motatapu is a “must do” event on the sporting calendar and has an iconic status.

The Best Marketing of Event category was awarded to the team from Queenstown Winter Festival for the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival. Judges commented that the event had a very clear business plan and objectives with good examples provided of developed material.

From humble beginnings in 1974 when it was typically a locals only affair, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival has grown in size and stature to where it not only attracts thousands of visitors during the 10 day celebration, but also commands a presence across a myriad of local, national and international media year in and year out.

The final category was Best Partnership for an Event which was awarded to Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival. The event is a partnership between Dunedin City Council and Cadbury Ltd which achieves results on a number of levels; a true partnership working together to achieve outcomes for both parties.

For more information on the national Event Industry Awards visit www.nzaep.co.nz

The full list of winners and finalists are:

BEST ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE EVENT
Finalist: Splore 2010, Splore Dynamics Ltd
Winner: Oxfam Trailwalker, Oxfam New Zealand

BEST MARKETING OF EVENT
Finalist: Splore 2010, Splore Dynamics Ltd
Winner: American Express Queenstown Winter Festival, Queenstown Winter Festival

BEST PARTNERSHIP FOR AN EVENT
Finalist: Xterra Auckland Event Series, Oxfam New Zealand
Winner: Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival, Dunedin City Council and Cadbury Ltd

BEST EMERGING EVENT
Finalist: RaboPlus Elite National Road Championships, Mainland Cycling
Winner: T42 Central Plateau, Central Plateau Events and total sport Limited

BEST ESTABLISHED EVENT
Finalist: AUT Maori Expo, AUT University
Winner: Motatapu, Iconic Adventures Ltd

ENDS

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