The Digital Event Awards are six weeks away, and there is still time to enter your organisation or your best virtual event or hybrid activation.
Among the 19 categories such as ‘Best In-event Networking Model’, ‘Best Digital Diversity and Inclusion Event or Series’, plus two ESG awards for planners and platforms.
Martin Fullard, Digital Event News’ editorial director, said the world now has a greater standing of virtual and hybrid events but warned there was still skepticism in some quarters.
“I was fortunate enough to co-host 2021’s Digital Event Awards alongside comedian Zoe Lyons, and as we ran through the categories and winners, I was amazed at how few companies I was actually aware of,” he said.
“That was a year ago, and now I have another 40 companies or so in my contact book, it just goes to show the power of entering an awards event like this.
“I think this is relevant because there is still some skepticism out there in the event-buying community who aren’t fully sold on the value virtual events, or who think hybrid events are too expensive. There is such a variety of possibility, it’s our job as an industry to showcase as many mediums as possible. And essentially, if your name isn’t out there, then no one will know you exist.”
Fullard added that face-to-face events will always be popular, and their value to local economies should not be underestimated, but in an increasingly busy world where people may be less likely to travel long distances, it is important to showcase just how effective virtual and hybrid can be.
“Pure virtual events are a great way to connect audiences for content-led events and to bring them closer to brands, and over the last two years we have seen the technology improve rapidly. Sustainability is a big factor here, too, with businesses perhaps less willing to send delegations long distances.
Changing habits
“Agencies in particular have restructured their teams and now place a greater emphasis on understanding human behaviour through data analytics, and the metrics available to event buyers offer an incredible depth of insight.
“Organisers shouldn’t be shy in showing off their best events.”
Watch 2021’s Digital Event Awards highlights
Virtual or hybrid events, which have taken place between 1 February 2021 and 31 January 2022 will qualify for submission and the deadline for entries is 4 February 2022.
For more information on entering the Digital Event News Awards 2022, visit the website here.
Judges and sponsors confirmed
Each category has five criteria, which submissions will be judged and scored against by a panel of 14 industry experts, including among others, ICC Belfast’s head of production, Dave Young; Clarion’s portfolio director, James Samuel; Nigel Dacre, CEO of Inclusive Digital; Rachel Macaulay, head of conferences and events for Vue Entertainment; Ed Tranter, MD of 73 Media and The Events Hub founder, Ruby Sweeney.
Matt Kaufman, Google Cloud’s marketing director who delivered the keynote at the Digital Event News Tech Summit will also be joined on the jury by Google Cloud’s head of digital, Cam Macintosh.
For the full line-up of judges and to enter the Digital Event Awards, visit the awards website here.
