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Events

Venues of Excellence Members Shine Bright at the Famtastic Rocks Awards 2025

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Image Left to right: Victoria Webb, Millennium Point, Melissa Sobo, Nottingham Venues, Sam Martin, Wyboston Lakes Resort, Krishna Pastakia and Tori Hodges, Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre

Venues of Excellence (VoE) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its member venues at the Famtastic Rocks Awards 2025, held at the Village Hotel, Blackpool on Friday night. The event recognised innovation, sustainability, and excellence across the UK events industry — and VoE members shone brightly, taking home multiple awards and commendations.

Among the evening’s top honours were several remarkable wins by Venues of Excellence members:

  • Millennium Point – Winner of The Famtastic Use of AI in Events for Future-Ready Events, Delivered Today: Why Millennium Point Sets the Standard
  • Wyboston Lakes Resort – Winner of The Famtastic Green Initiative of the Year for its inspiring Room2Give initiative
  • Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre – Winner of The Famtastic Independent Hotel of the Year
  • Wyboston Lakes Resort – Winner of The Famtastic Marketing Campaign of the Year for More Than Monday to Friday: How We Unlocked the Power of Weekend Events

Billy Harris-Wright, Director of Commercial and Company Secretary at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre reflecting on their awards said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised as The Famtastic Independent Hotel of the Year. This award is a true reflection of the dedication and passion of our entire team over the past 12 months. From achieving outstanding commercial results to earning our B Corp certification, our team have worked incredibly hard to make a positive impact on both our guests and our community. Our impressive guest satisfaction and team engagement scores highlight our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. This recognition from Famtastic Rocks celebrates not just our achievements, but our vision that drives us forward – To be exceptional at delivering hospitality, valuing our people, and making a positive impact on the environment.”

Winning the Famtastic Use of AI in Events for Future-Ready Events, Delivered Today, Victoria Webb, Head of Events Sales at Millennium Point said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognised at the Famtastic Awards, particularly winning the Use of Tech and AI in Events category. At Millennium Point, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of innovation to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients. Being highly commended as both an Independent Venue and Unique Venue is the icing on the cake. It’s brilliant to see the wonderful efforts of our team acknowledged by our industry peers.”

Seeing our venues win awards is a great accolade and as Louisa Watson, Marketing Director at Wyboston Lakes Resort commenting on their wins said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to win three accolades. These awards are a testament to the hard work, creativity, and commitment of our amazing team – especially in continuing to drive sustainability and innovative guest experiences. Thank you to the Famtastic Rocks Awards for recognising our efforts, and to everyone who supports us on this journey.”

In addition to these impressive wins, several VoE members were also recognised with Highly Commended awards:

  • Nottingham Venues – The University of Nottingham – Highly Commended in The Famtastic Academic Venue of the Year
  • Wyboston Lakes Resort – Highly Commended in The Famtastic Conference Centre/Hotel of the Year
  • Millennium Point – Highly Commended in both The Famtastic Independent Venue of the Year and Unique Venue of the Year

Academic venue Nottingham Venues  were highly recommended and on the evening Melissa Sobo, Director of Sales said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received a Highly Commended accolade in the Academic Venue of the Year category at this year’s Famtastic Awards. This recognition is a true testament to our exceptional venue and, most importantly, to our dedicated and passionate team. Their commitment to delivering outstanding service and memorable experiences is at the heart of everything we do.” – Melissa Sobo, Director of Sales, Nottingham Venues.”

CEO and Owner of Venues of Excellence, Mandy Jennings, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to see so many of our members recognised at this year’s Famtastic Rocks Awards. Their success reflects the heart of what Venues of Excellence stands for — a commitment to delivering outstanding quality, innovation, and service. From pioneering uses of AI and creative marketing to impactful green initiatives, our members continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the events and hospitality industry.”

The achievements across these categories demonstrate how Venues of Excellence members are leading the way in sustainability, digital innovation, and exceptional guest experiences. The consortium’s continued focus on quality, creativity, and collaboration ensures that its members remain at the forefront of the UK’s dynamic venue sector.

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Events

Annual Cvent Excellence Awards Europe Celebrates Pioneers in the Meetings and Events Industry

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, honoured the finalists and winners of the 2025 annual Cvent Excellence Awards during its annual customer and industry conference, Cvent CONNECT Europe. The annual awards programme celebrates hotels, destinations, event professionals, and marketers from leading organisations that use Cvent technology to boost efficiency and maximise ROI across their event programmes and MICE initiatives. Britain’s Got Talent star, Joseph Charm, honoured finalists and winners during a live ceremony event held both in-person at the InterContinental London – The O2 and online. Their accomplishments will be featured throughout the year in case studies, webinars, and other thought leadership content.

With hundreds of nominations across diverse categories, the selection process involved a rigorous evaluation of candidates based on their innovative application of technology to improve collaboration, programme efficiency, and overall organisational success. 

“These awards serve as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when dedicated professionals harness the power of cutting-edge technology,” said Andreas Heckmann, Chief Customer Officer at Cvent. “This year’s winners and finalists are not merely embracing innovation, they are redefining the standards of success in the meetings, events, and hospitality sector. We are privileged to be their partner in creating remarkable experiences and delivering measurable outcomes.”

The 2025 winners are:

Event Professional Winners

  • Outstanding Total Event Programme – Lilly
  • Best In-person Experience – St. James’s Place
  • Cvent Advocate of the Year – Paul Gibbons, EY
  • Cvent Newcomer of the Year – MAD//Fest
  • Cvent Partner of the Year – The Turner Agency (TTA)
  • Meaningful Impact – Energy Networks Association 
  • Best Hybrid Experience – OutSystems

Hospitality Professional Winners

  • Portfolio Powerhouse | Exceptional Portfolio Management – Edwardian Hotels London 
  • Corporate Travel Business Champion of the Year | Accelerating Success and Operational – EfficiencyMinor Hotels
  • The MICE Game Changer | Best MICE Sales and Marketing Strategy – Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol 
  • Planner’s Best Partner | Seamless Collaboration with Event Diagramming & Room Block Management – Novotel London West
  • Destination Marketing Leader | Utilising Technology to Boost Destination Awareness – VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings 
  • Cvent Hospitality Advocate of the Year | Using Cvent to Accelerate Success – Afra Koers-Hartkamp, Radisson Hotel Group
  • Venue Directory Champion of the Year | Driving Success and Customer Experience – Radisson Hotel Group
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Venues of Excellence appoints Emma Chamberlain, as Vice Chair of the Advisory Group
Events

Venues of Excellence appoints Emma Chamberlain, as Vice Chair of the Advisory Group

by jummy84
written by jummy84

The UK’s leading consortium of independent venues specialising in the MICE sector has welcomed Emma Chamberlain, Commercial Director, Imago Venues as she steps into the Vice Chair role of the Advisory Group at Venues of Excellence.

With over 23 years’ experience at Imago Venues, Loughborough, including the last three as Commercial Director, Emma brings a wealth of expertise in the events and hospitality sector. Imago Venues has been a proud member of Venues of Excellence for more than 30 years, underlining its long-standing commitment to the consortium.

Accepting the role Emma said: “I’m really happy to be stepping into the role of Vice Chair at Venues of Excellence. It’s an exciting time for Venues of Excellence, with so much opportunity ahead to strengthen our collective voice and impact. I’m looking forward to working closely with Stewart, Mandy, our fantastic venues, and the wider VoE team to build on the consortium’s success, drive innovation, and ensure we continue to lead the way in excellence across the events industry”.

On her appointment, Stewart commented: “The Advisory Group were unanimous in their support of Emma taking on this new role. Emma has been an active and valued member of the Advisory Group since 2022, and Mandy, the VOE team, and I are so pleased to have the chance to work even more closely with her. Her insight, energy, and commitment will be a huge asset to us all as we continue to drive forward the exciting growth and development of our Venues of Excellence consortium.”

The appointment follows a landmark year for Venues of Excellence. In June, the consortium launched a bold new brand alongside two innovative services – VX Find and VX Deliver – designed to provide exceptional support to conference and event planners. Membership also continues to expand, with recent additions including Wotton House Country House Estate and Prestwold Hall, with more high-quality venues set to join in the coming months.

Mandy shares that exciting times are ahead for Venues of Excellence, its members and the VOE Team commenting: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Emma as Vice Chair of our Advisory Group. Her depth of knowledge, passion for the industry, and strong leadership qualities will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. With our refreshed brand, the launch of VX Find and VX Deliver, and an expanding portfolio of outstanding venues, Venues of Excellence is entering one of the most exciting chapters in its history. Together with Emma, Stewart, and our dedicated VOE team, we are committed to ensuring our consortium remains the go-to partner for venues and conference and event planners seeking excellence, creativity, and trusted expertise.”

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Wise Productions and Yes Events announce strategic partnership to deliver enhanced event production excellence
Events

Wise Productions and Yes Events announce strategic partnership to deliver enhanced event production excellence

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Wise Productions, a leading independent and employee-owned technical production company, and Yes Events, a respected name in technical event solutions, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership aimed at significantly enhancing event production capabilities and client service. This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation, growth, and delivering unparalleled event experiences.

Wise Productions has made a strategic investment in Yes Events, acquiring a significant minority shareholding in the business. A pivotal component of this partnership includes the consolidation of Wise Productions’ technical warehouse operations into Yes Events’ impressive 20,000-square-foot facility in Wokingham. This move will optimise logistics, expand equipment access, and align with sustainability goals through a reduced carbon footprint.

“For 35 years, partnerships have been a cornerstone of Wise Productions,” said George Foden, Managing Director of Wise Productions. “Our journey has been built on deep, collaborative relationships, and this strategic partnership with Yes Events is a natural evolution of that legacy. Our investment in Yes is an investment in our commitment to delivering unparalleled service and cutting-edge solutions, but with even greater capacity and innovation. We are excited about what this collaboration means for our clients, partners, and most importantly, our employee Co-Owners.”

This is a strategic partnership, not a merger. Both Wise Productions and Yes Events will maintain their distinct, independent identities.

Tom Chennells, Managing Director of Yes Events, added, “This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for Yes Events. By aligning with Wise Productions, we’re not only expanding our technical capacity and resources, but also combining our shared passion for innovation, quality, and client service. Consolidating our equipment will allow us to work even more efficiently, sustainably, and creatively; ultimately delivering even greater experiences for the clients of both companies. We’re excited about the opportunities this collaboration will create for our teams and clients.”

Partners of both companies can expect to experience the direct benefits of this expanded capacity from September 2025.

The partnership is a testament to both companies’ dedication to continuous improvement and delivering the highest calibre of service in the events industry.

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Troy Cassar-Daley Saluted With Excellence in the Community Award
Music

Troy Cassar-Daley Saluted With Excellence in the Community Award

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Troy Cassar-Daley added to his impressive tally of accolades Tuesday night (Aug. 19) with the Excellence in the Community award, presented at Support Act’s annual Music in the House.

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It was cold and wet outside, but there was no shortage of warmth inside The Linseed House, on the Grounds of Alexandria, as rock legend Jimmy Barnes, Goanna frontman Shane Howard, Slim Dusty’s daughter Anne Kirkpatrick and others paid tribute to the veteran singer.

Music in the House was created in 2006 as an opportunity for the music industry charity to recognize an artist, or artists, in Australian music for their musicianship and their broader contribution to the community.

Cassar-Daley was saluted not only for his outstanding, 30-plus year career, but also for his tireless community work, from mentoring emerging talent around the nation, to speaking out on men’s mental health, working in schools, championing Aboriginal culture, and much more.

Kirkpatrick presented Cassar-Daley with the special honor. “It’s not just about the accolades with Troy,” she told the full house. “Troy makes connections. He’s a proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung man, Troy makes connections with music, connections with land and connections to people and communities right across Australia. He’s regularly gone into regional areas before a gig, without fanfare, working with schools and groups,” she added, “encouraging and promoting the power of music and sharing stories.”

As he stepped up to the stage, Cassar-Daley admitted that he “did try to give this award back” and, as many close to him already know, doesn’t “like making speeches.” He mightn’t like delivering them, but when he does, he’s untouchable. The singer and songwriter spoke for 10 minutes, sharing touching memories of his extended family, friends and collaborators, many of whom were in the room.

Cassar-Daley should be used to the spotlight. The Australian country great collected his sixth ARIA Award last year, winning for best country album, recognition for his 12th studio collection Between The Fires, which peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Chart, a career-best solo chart position.

Across his career, he has collected four CMAA Entertainer of the Year titles, three APRA Song of the Year Awards, nine Deadly Awards, two NIMAs, and an unprecedented 45 Golden Guitars. In 2017, he was named the 50th inductee into the Roll of Renown.

The 2025 Support Act event featured live performances of Cassar-Daley’s songs by his daughter Jem Cassar-Daley, Jimmy and Mahalia Barnes, Busby Marou, and Shane Howard, with Barnes’ son David Campbell as emcee.

Before belting out a rendition of “Shutting Down Our Town”, Jimmy Barnes recalled how he was “absolutely terrified” on his first experience sharing the stage with Cassar-Daley. “I’d never heard anybody with a voice that was so soulful. I fancied myself as a soul singer, until I sang with Troy. Everything he sings, it makes me want to cry. It’s just beautiful.”

Jem chose the deep cut “Brighter Day,” a “song I hold very close to me,” she remarked. “Every time I hear the opening guitar riff I get goosebumps and I’m taken right back to being a kid again. Dad’s storytelling is real, raw and vivid. It’s moved and inspired me from a very young age, so performing my own version of this song means the absolute world to me.”

Guests watching on included Cold Chisel guitarist and singer Ian Moss; federal Minister for the Arts Tony Burke; NSW Special Minister of State, Minister for Transport, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham; and Jenny McAllister, the ALP senator for the state of New South Wales and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Earlier, Support Act CEO Clive Miller posthumously awarded Excellence In Community honors to veteran music publisher, artist and Support Act spearhead John Bromell, and to the beloved artist manager, tech production manager and industry allrounder Dominic “Mick” Mazzone.

Previous recipients of the Excellence in the Community salute include Midnight Oil, Tina Arena, the late Archie Roach, Jenny Morris, Paul Kelly, Marcia Hines and last year’s winners Powderfinger.

All proceeds from the event, which included a raffle, a live auction and online auction, help fund Support Act’s crisis relief and mental health programs for music workers in need.

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