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Eventia celebrates International Awards

Over 700 top events industry professionals celebrated a spectacular night of awards at Grosvenor House - the most important night of networking and celebration for the industry, rewarding the most creative, inspirational and innovative international events from 2008.

The Eventia International Awards honoured outstanding business-to-business and business-to-consumer events including corporate events, product launches, company exhibitions, presentations, hospitality, celebratory events, meetings and conferences of all sizes and formats.

Nominated by Eventia members and voted for by the Board, this year's Outstanding Achievement Award was won by Sarah Webster. Her role in the development and success of Eventia led the Board to appoint her the association's first ever honorary lifetime member and was one of the key reasons for awarding her this title. Sarah Webster continues to provide PR services to Eventia along with being an active participant in the association's education committee.

The prestigious Platinum Award was won by Line Up for the global dealer launch of the Volvo XC60. The Volvo event also picked up the Gold Award in three other categories: Most Creative Use of a Venue's Facilities, Best Use of Logistics and Best Product Launch. The XC60 launch event saw 5,600 dealers descend on Gothenburg over a nine-week period, where Line Up had transformed a disused customs warehouse into a unique event space and built a driving obstacle course to showcase the car's special features.

Eventia CEO Izania Downie commented: "These awards recognise the best and most innovative internationally-based events in our industry. It was refreshing to see such a healthy mix of new and established companies entering this year's Awards and the high quality of entries really impressed me. Our expert panel of judges followed a stringent process and to be involved in judging the Eventia International Awards can only be described as a truly inspirational experience."

She added: "This year's finalists and winners have set new standards of excellence internationally and serve as testimony to the energy and enthusiasm that is currently driving face-to-face communication to the forefront of marketing strategy. I am delighted to see Line Up take the accolade of Platinum Award to recognize their success across the Awards and World Events elevating to take the Agency of the Year (Silver last year!), well done to all of our winners!"

"I am so encouraged by the fact that we had well over 700 guests at the Awards, quite a feat in the current economic climate - just what everyone needed to feel inspired and motivated and an excellent opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate, make some new contacts and support each other in these challenging times."

The charity prize draw raised a huge £5,773 for Meetings Industry Meeting Needs, a registered charity raising funds for worthy causes relevant to the industry. All proceeds to be donated to The Elizabeth Foundation, a UK-based Home Learning Programme for families with deaf children. Prizes included a three night's stay for two in the Marina Rise in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with captivating views of Table Mountain donated by Kerzner International Resorts and four night's accommodation at the new Rocco Forte's Resort, the Verdura Golf and Spa Resort in Sicily.

The following Gold Awards were given:

• Most Creative use of a Venue's Facilities: Line Up
• Best Promotional Communication: P&MM
• Best Use of Logistics: Line Up
• Best Product Launch: Line Up
• Best Celebratory Event: DRP Group
• Best Event Demonstrating CSR: Adding Value
• Most Creative use of a Destination: THA Group
• Most Effective Delivery of ROI: George P. Johnson
• Best Conference or Congress Short Haul (under six hours from the UK): DRP Group
• Best Conference or Congress Long Haul (over six hours from the UK): BT
• Best Incentive Travel Programme Short Haul (under six hours from the UK): Banks Sadler
• Best Incentive Travel Programme Long Haul (over six hours from the UK): Zinc Management
• Best Integrated Solution: P&MM
• Agency of the Year: World Events
• Platinum Winner: Line Up

For a complete list of all winners, including Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards and Finalists, click here

After the formalities, champagne and cocktails flowed in the Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel with dancing to Young Guns band 'Love Train' and DJ until the wee small hours!