The second Host City Awards will take place in Glasgow, Scotland to celebrate exceptional accomplishments in hosting, delivering and promoting major events.

The Awards form part of the Host City 2025 conference, hosted at the Technology & Innovation Centre on 2-3 December, with winners announced at the Awards Dinner on the evening of  2 December.

Event hosts, rights holders and suppliers are encouraged to enter appropriate categories:

The Best Event Engagement award will recognise destinations that achieved exceptional audience reach and visibility relative to their size, location or resources.

The Most Sustainable Event award will celebrate events that delivered measurable environmental, social and legacy benefits for their host communities.

The Outstanding Economic Impact award will honour events that generated significant economic value and long-term financial benefits for their destinations.

The Best Commercial Strategy award will reward rights holders and organisers who delivered strong financial results and long-term value through innovative monetisation approaches.

The Strongest Fan Growth award will recognise events that successfully expanded, engaged, and monetised their fan base through effective strategies and platforms.

The Innovation in Event Technology award will spotlight suppliers who introduced groundbreaking technology that enhanced event performance or audience experience.

The Best Event Infrastructure Solution award will recognise outstanding contributions to the physical and digital infrastructure that supported safe, efficient, and sustainable event delivery.

The Excellence in Event Delivery award will honour organisations that played a key role in delivering high-quality event experiences

The Best Use of AI award will recognise outstanding applications of artificial intelligence that improved the planning, delivery, or commercial success of an event.

Organisations register to attend the Host City 2025 conference are eligible to enter for free, submitting concise written entries and optional supporting materials.

The diverse judging panel of highly regarded experts includes Jennifer Arnold, Vice President, U.S. Soccer Foundation; Iain Edmondson, Founder, Legacy Delivery; Sarah Lewis OBE OLY; Brian Lewis, Immediate Past President, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee; Paul Bush, Chair, British Curling; Céline Payelle, Vice-President and General Manager, Events & Experiences, Cirque du Soleil, and more to be announced.

Matthew Astill, CEO of Cavendish Group, said: “We are very pleased to taking the Host City awards to the next level, following the success of last year’s launch. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the best and brightest in the global events community in Glasgow.”

Glasgow Life’s Director of Culture, Tourism and Events. Billy Garrett, said: “We’re delighted that the Host City Conference is returning to Glasgow in 2025. This prestigious annual industry event provides an invaluable platform for international partners in our sector to get together to share experiences and insights, and take part in productive discussions and debates on the key issues, challenges and opportunities that host cities face.

“So we’re really looking forward to Glasgow hosting Host City once again, and the fantastic opportunities this important event offers attendees to network and build connections that help foster mutually beneficial partnerships to impact business growth.”

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “Events play an important role in our communities, bringing economic benefits, fostering community pride and delivering global recognition. The Host City Awards are an opportunity to recognise and shine a spotlight on the contribution and impact of events, the people who design and deliver them and the innovation they bring.” 

[Source: The Sports Consultancy] The Sports Consultancy is proud to announce it has been awarded the highly coveted King’s Award for Enterprise, recognising its exceptional achievements in the international sports industry and its growing impact across the global sports, events and entertainment sectors.

As one of the world’s leading, independent advisory firms in international sport globally, The Sports Consultancy continues to expand its international presence, most recently with activity in the Middle East and Asia, strengthening its ability to serve a growing portfolio of clients across those regions. The company works with many of the world’s most iconic sports properties, including the NFL, Formula 1 and FIFA, providing strategic, legal and commercial expertise that drives measurable impact and long-term value.

Founded in 2006, The Sports Consultancy has built a distinctive model rooted in evidence-based thinking and deep sector insight, an approach that continues to differentiate it in a fast-evolving global market. Its work spans the design and delivery of host city strategies, commercial rights management, and legacy-led event planning for rights holders, governments and cities worldwide.

“We are immensely proud to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise,” said Angus Buchanan, Managing Director and Co-Founder of The Sports Consultancy. “This recognition reflects the passion and rigour our team brings to every project. It’s also a testament to the incredible clients we’re privileged to partner with: organisations that share our belief in the power of sport to create lasting impact.”

The Sports Consultancy now joins a select group of UK businesses honoured for their outstanding contribution to international growth, innovation and excellence.

The inaugural Host City Awards will take place in Glasgow, Scotland to celebrate exceptional accomplishments in hosting, delivering and promoting major events.

The awards form part of the Host City 2024 conference, hosted at the Technology & Innovation Centre on 3-4 December, with winners announced during the Civic Reception and Dinner at the City Chambers on the evening of December 3.

The Impactful Event Hosting award will recognise destinations that demonstrate economic impact, social engagement and environmental sustainability of a major event.

The Resourceful Event Delivery award is open to suppliers and organising committees that have delivered cost-effective, innovative, and sustainable solutions for a major event.

The third category, Engaging the Audience, recognises rights holders that demonstrate significant audience growth and inclusion while innovating fan experiences.

Organisations registered to attend the Host City 2024 conference are eligible to enter for free by 30th October, submitting concise written entries and optional supporting materials.

The diverse judging panel of renowned experts includes Harvey Goldsmith CBE, Promoter, Allegra Roccato, Head of Events, World Physiotherapy, Ralph Straus, Commercial Director, FEI, Jennifer Arnold, Vice President, U.S. Soccer Foundation, Iain Edmondson, Founder, Legacy Delivery, Sarah Lewis OBE OLY, Prem Singh CEO British Kabaddi League, Joanne Deponio, UEFA EURO 2028 UK & Ireland, The FA and Brian Lewis, Immediate Past President, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.

[Source: AIPH] The International Association of Horticultural Producers, AIPH, is proud to announce the shortlist of eighteen entries from cities around the world for the first edition of the AIPH World Green City Awards. In each of the six Awards Categories, the Technical Panel of Judges selected the three top scoring entries for this prestigious list.

“We are thrilled to be showcasing excellence in city greening from cities around the world,” said Tim Briercliffe, AIPH Secretary General. “As we reach this very exciting milestone, AIPH is confident that the first ever AIPH World Green City Awards is a resounding success, leaving a legacy that will shine through in future editions. Congratulations to each and every one of the shortlisted cities. We proudly celebrate this amazing achievement with you.”

The 2022 AIPH World Green City Awards Shortlist of entries per category is proudly announced as follows:

Living Green for Biodiversity

Addressing the loss of species, habitats, ecosystem health, and genetic diversity

Reverdecer Bogotá

Bogota D.C., Colombia

Act Local, Contribute Global to World Biodiversity Conservation

Town of Victoria Park, Australia

Ville de Paris- DEVE

City of Paris, France

Living Green for Climate Change

Tackling the root causes and effects of climate change to build more liveable and resilient cities

Peynircioglu Stream Ecological Restoration Project

City of Izmir, Turkey

Grey to Green

City of Melbourne, Australia

Mexico City's Environmental and Climate Change Program

Mexico City, Mexico

Living Green for Health and Wellbeing

Addressing the medical, behavioural, and social determinants of health for residents

Transforming degraded land into Urban Micro Parks

City of Fortaleza, Brazil

Utrecht Green and Healthy City

City of Utrecht, Netherlands

Sunvale Community Park

City of Brimbank, Australia

Living Green for Water

Ensuring that water resources are safeguarded and wisely used, with clean water available to all while also protecting residents from flooding risks

The Phytotechnology Stations at the Montréal Botanical Garden / Space for Life

City of Montreal, Canada

Creating a Green City

Logan City Council, Australia

uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership

City of uMhlathuze, South Africa

Living Green for Social Cohesion

Fostering belonging, trust and inter-generational as well as cross-cultural relationships to prevent exclusion, marginalisation and violence

Socio-urban integration in the midst of an ecological reserve: The case of Rodrigo Bueno

City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sunchoenman Bay Wetland Conservation Project

Suncheon City, South Korea

OASIS Schoolyard Project

City of Paris, France

Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth

Creating systems and solutions that allow all city residents to overcome economic distress and thrive

The 2020-2030 Master Plan for the Conservation, Improvement and Development of Parc Jean-Drapeau

City of Montreal, Canada

Transformation of "Beltway to Green Belt"

City of Mashhad, Iran

Green Necklace to the State of Telangana

City of Hyderabad, India

"Addressing the multiple challenges cities face"

The shortlist of entries is presented on behalf of the Technical Panel by the six Category Leads to the 2022 Awards Jury who will identify one winner for each category, as well as the overall AIPH World Green City Awards 2022 winner.

“After reviewing the submissions for the AIPH World Green City Awards 2022, I was amazed at not only the commitment to building green cities but the creativity and expression of local culture that was at the core of the submissions,” said Grant Pearsall, Urban Ecological Planner, Edmonton, Canada (Technical Panel member).

In addition to selecting the shortlist, the Technical Panel has made non-category-specific nominations to be considered by the Jury for Highly Commended Awards. These Highly Commended Awards are given to city entries that did not score highly enough to make the shortlist, but which demonstrate a particularly innovative and inspiring approach.

“The spread of very different entries is an indication of the wide range of initiatives, with plants at their heart, that are addressing the multiple challenges cities face due to climate change and the ecological emergency. This initiative by AIPH encourages cities to demonstrate the range of innovative urban nature-based solutions that are possible,” said Marcus Grant, Editor-in-Chief, Cities & Health (Technical Panel Category Lead, Health and Wellbeing).

Each eligible entry was assessed and scored by members of the Technical Panel against the following judging criteria:

•                     Vision: the initiative should be bold and include a fresh new model for using and/or delivering nature-orientated solution(s).

•                     Significance: the initiative should be designed to address a serious local problem or set of problems.

•                     Implementation: the initiative should have achieved or be well on its way to achieving its stated objective(s) and/or desirable outcomes.

•                     Learning and Transferability: the initiative should have generated some learning content or mechanisms that enable enhanced local practice in the future and/or offer potential for customised replication in other cities.

•                     Resilience: The initiative should be mindful of its impact on the planet and of its ability to be sustained over time.

“To create a healthy and happy urban life we need to include plants and nature in our cities. The 2022 entries for the AIPH World Green City Awards show that cities are taking action to showcase the value of living green. This is truly an inspiration for many other cities,” said Judith van der Poel, Director, Niek Roozen Landscape (Technical Panel member).

To learn more about the exciting initiatives by the shortlisted cities, click here.

“The AIPH Awards program is an important initiative to recognize outstanding worldwide contributors and projects that are transforming our world into a greener and healthier place,” said Michael von Hausen, President, MVH Urban Planning & Design Inc., Adjunct Prof., Simon Fraser University + University of Vancouver Island (Technical Panel member).

Looking ahead, AIPH will profile city entries as case studies to inspire other cities around the world to take action for plants and nature. AIPH celebrates each and every city entry as a leader in urban greening, and a champion of the green city principles.

All winners will be announced at a gala event in September/October 2022. The date and venue for this event will be announced soon. AIPH and partners will also launch the 2024 edition of the World Green City Awards at this gala event. To stay in the loop and receive further news about the AIPH World Green City Awards direct to your inbox, subscribe to the AIPH Global Green City Update here.

AIPH is grateful to the network of partners for their ongoing support for the AIPH World Green City Awards – Biophilic Cities, Cities & Health, CitiesWithNature, European Federation of Green Roof & Green Wall Associations (EFB), The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), Greener Spaces Better Places, #NatureForAll, Salzburg Global Seminar, The Nature of Cities (TNoC), Trees for Cities, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Urban Biodiversity Hub (UBHub), Urban Land Institute, World Urban Parks, Youth Climate Leaders, and 8 80 Cities. Thank you also to sponsor Expo 2021 Hatay and media partners Cities Today, FloraCulture International, and Host City.

[Source: AIPH] AIPH strongly believes that the correct use of plants and the landscape in cities plays a critical role in the fight against climate change and all its associated impacts. It is proven that greener cities make healthier citizens and stimulate social and economic development.

The AIPH World Green City Awards celebrate the inclusion of plant life and nature into city design, planning and function and applaud the leaders of this growing movement.

Bernard Oosterom, President, AIPH says, “It is imperative that we embrace a nature-orientated approach to city design and operation. Through the AIPH World Green City Awards, we promote the essential role of plants in creating vibrant urban areas in which people and businesses can thrive. We are calling on city authorities all over the world to showcase what they have done and how they have used ‘Living Green’ to make their cities better for all residents, more sustainable, and more resilient.”

Entries are invited from city governments and relevant organisations around the world that promote and support ‘Living Green’ in their plans. Cities will be celebrated through six categories: Health and wellbeing, Climate change, Economic recovery and inclusive growth, Biodiversity, Water and Social cohesion.

Supporting the Awards, Tim Beatley of Biophilic Cities says:

“The importance of nature in our urban lives has never been clearer. Nature can’t just be an afterthought. It must be the central design and planning principle.

We need to recognise and celebrate those cities around the world that are investing in nature, and that understand and see nature as an essential ingredient in happy, healthy, and meaningful lives.

I am excited that for the first time there will be a global award that shines a light on those most exemplary green cities. We believe this award will play an important role in accelerating the global biophilic and green cities movement.”

We want to celebrate every city that, like AIPH, is a champion for the power of plants - Enter the AIPH World Green City Awards 2022.

Visit aiph.org/green-city/green-city-awards

Register an expression of interest to receive application documentation Register your interest in the AIPH World Green City Awards

AIPH is grateful to our AIPH World Green City Awards Partners 2022  Biophilic Cities, Cities & Health, Trees For Cities , The Nature of Cities , ICLEI CitiesWithNature  and  Urban Land Institute. Thank you to our Media Partners FloraCulture International and Host City.

[Source: EventScotland] Taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 5 March, guests gathered to see 18 individuals, businesses and events honoured for their contribution to the tourism sector.

Paisley Halloween Festival took home the Best Cultural Event or Festival award, while Salomon Skyline Scotland 2018 was named Best Sporting Event. The business events sector was also recognised, with The All-Energy Exhibition & Conference 2019, which took place at the Scottish Event Campus lifting the trophy for Best Business Event.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 was also recognised with the inaugural Inclusive Tourism accolade while Brigadier David Allfrey received the prestigious Johnstons of Elgin Silver Thistle Award for his exemplary work as Director of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and his wider contributions to Scotland’s tourism and events industry.

There was also a special award for The 2019 Solheim Cup. The special recognition award was accepted by European Solheim Cup Director for the Ladies European Tour, Polly Clark with a video message from Team Europe Captain, Catriona Matthew.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, said: "The Scottish Thistle Awards are a fantastic celebration of our vibrant tourism and events industry. Last night's final was as always a special event, congratulations to all the nominees and winners. For the events industry I was delighted to see Paisley Halloween Festival, Salomon Skyline Scotland 2018 and The All-Energy Exhibition & Conference 2019 all come away winners as well as the special recognition for The Solheim Cup and Silver Thistle for Brigadier David Alfrey. All were truly deserving."

[Source: VisitScotland] The award for Innovation in Tourism, sponsored by Geotourist, went to Invisible Cities in recognition of their use of innovation to commit to the future of tourism in Scotland. Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city. Judges commended the business for playing a major part in social tourism, as well as the role the business plays in supporting staff to gain transferrable skills to move onto other roles.

“On behalf of the industry panel, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the national winners of the 2019/20 Scottish Thistle Awards. These awards are firmly established within the tourism industry in Scotland and these winners should feel very proud to join the prestigious roll of honour that celebrates innovation, success and excellence in the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector,” said Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel and VisitScotland Board Member.

The Scottish Thistle Awards are led by a panel of industry experts from several organisations including VisitScotland, Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.

For the full list of winners from the Scottish Thistle Awards national final visit www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk.

Entries and nominations for 2020/2021 awards are now live! Could your business or event join this prestigious role of honour? To be in with a chance click here to enter free today.

[Source: European Sponsorship Association] 

More than 400 sponsorship and sports marketing leaders came together to celebrate ESA’s mission to unite, inspire and grow the sponsorship industry, at The Brewery in central London. With prizes across 30 categories, the 2020 ESA Awards ceremony was the largest in the history of the ESA Awards.

Demonstrating the diversity of the ESA Awards, the big winner on the night was a cultural sponsorship – the An Post Irish Book Awards was recognised by a panel of international experts as the prestigious ESA Sponsorship of the Year, while also winning ‘Best Newcomer (UK&I)’ and ‘Arts and Culture Sponsorship’.

HEAD HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Paddy Power’s much-lauded ‘Save Our Shirt’ campaign, delivered Octagon, also emerged from the night with a trio of trophies, securing ‘Best Use of PR’, ‘Game Changer – Sport’ and ‘Sport Sponsorship €400k – €1M’.

Electric Ireland, meanwhile, won four categories – ‘Mass Participation Sponsorship’ for Darkness Into Light, ‘Best Use of Digital Channels’ for its GAA Higher Education Championships partnership, and ‘Purpose-Led Sponsorship (Sport)’ and ‘Sport Sponsorship < €400k’ for its ‘Game Changers’ campaign with the Irish FA.

The invitation-only ESA Best of Europe competition, sponsored by Sponsorium, was won by Denmark’s ‘The Sydbank Cup: The 99% Broadcast’ campaign, with Ireland (‘Aldi Play Rugby’) taking silver and Slovenia (‘Petrol’s Winning Service’) rounding out the podium with bronze.

Other campaigns to leave with multiple trophies included Marriott Bonvoy’s partnership with Manchester United, which won two awards (‘Best Newcomer [Global]’ and ‘Sport Sponsorship €1-5M’), while Arsenal, Cadbury and Vodafone took home a win and a highly-commended each.

Boots’ partnerships with all five national football associations across the UK and Ireland, meanwhile, took home two highly-commended trophies (‘Best Newcomer [UK&I]’ and ‘Sport Sponsorship €400k – €1M’) and won ‘Best Use of Insights’.

Boutique creative agency WeAreFearless triumphed in the coveted Agency of the Year – Pan-Europe category, while MKTG won Agency of the Year – Single Nation. AEG’s ‘All Points East’ music festival triumphed in the esteemed Rights Holder of the Year category.

The ceremony was hosted by international rugby star and businesswoman Sene Naoupu, while celebrities in attendance included former England footballing star Eniola Aluko, Team GB hockey representative Harry Gibson, ex-England Netball captain, Ama Agbeze MBE and Olympic gold medal-winning rower Phelan Hill MBE.

Winners were chosen by a rigorous, two-step judging process overseen by a 40-person judging panel of sport, media, arts, culture and entertainment leaders from ten nations. Head here for a video explaining more about how the ESA Awards are judged.

ESA Awards committee Chair, Jackie Fast, said:

“With so many incredible entries, the 2020 ESA Awards has been our most hotly-contested to-date, with inspiring work on display from all our winning campaigns.

Last night’s ceremony proves that there has never been a more exciting time for sponsorship. Our winners represent the best of sponsorship, coming from all corners of Europe and all parts of the industry. A massive congratulations to all our winners!”

ESA Chairman, Andy Westlake, said:

“The 2020 ESA Awards saw a record-breaking number of entries, and, as always, the decisions were passionately and diligently debated. On behalf of ESA I’d like to congratulate all the worthy winners, including the An Post Irish Book Awards for taking home ESA Sponsorship of the Year.

I’d also like to thank all our ESA Awards sponsors and partners, with special thanks to our main event sponsor, POWA Index, and our judging panel – an amazing group of industry professionals. The ESA Awards continues to provide the best showcase of creativity in sponsorship across Europe and I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate another fantastic year for the Association and to enjoy another great party!

Naturally, without the support of our members, the ESA Awards wouldn’t be the event it has become. I’d like to thank them all for their continued support. ESA has a crucial role to play to inspire, unite and grow the sponsorship industry and our members are at the heart of our mission.”

[Source: ESA] The European Sponsorship Association, the membership body that works to inspire, unite and grow the sponsorship industry across rights holders, brands and agencies, is now accepting entries for its prestigious 2020 ESA Awards.

The Awards will see industry professionals across Europe rewarded for their best-in-class sponsorship campaigns at a glittering ceremony at The Brewery in London on 26th February 2020.

View the full list of categories for 2020.

Andy Westlake, ESA Chairman comments:
“The ESA Awards have always presented us with entries that show us what a dynamic and exciting industry we’re part of – work that continues to innovate, consistently puts great creativity at the heart of the output and with a focus on delivering results. As a result, we see a wide range of campaigns that deserve the highest sponsorship industry recognition. I’m excited to see what this year has in store!”

Jackie Fast, ESA Awards Committee Chairman adds:
“I urge anyone involved with sponsorship to enter the ESA Awards.”

Jackie goes on to explain:
“The ESA Awards are designed for Europeans to benchmark their work, raise their profile, see their world-class campaigns honoured, enjoy celebrating the best of the best at the final ceremony, and, crucially, win business.”

The 2020 ESA Awards rewards successful sponsorship campaigns across all sectors – community, culture, digital, entertainment, media, purpose-led, research and sport – by assessing their business objectives and campaign results. The ESA Awards celebrates great achievement, not just big budgets, ensuring that all campaigns have an equal chance of winning. The early bird deadline for entries closes at midnight on 6th September 2019.

All campaigns receive the same expert critique and are judged purely on merit against a comprehensive criteria-based matrix. Our esteemed judges bring insight, direction and robust evaluation to the judging programme. With a two-stage process of judging – both online and face-to-face – being an ESA Awards judge provides you with the opportunity to both witness and award Europe’s best sponsorship work of 2019.

Anyone interested in being an ESA Awards judge should complete an application by Friday 20th September 2019.

Watch last year’s ceremony and winner interviews and find out more about the 2020 ESA Awards.

 

The European Sponsorship Association is a Strategic Partner of Host City 2019, the largest meetings of cities and sports, business and cultural events, taking place in Glasgow on 26-27 November