The Event Tech Rising Star will celebrate emerging talent within the event technology industry. This award recognises individuals who have shown remarkable promise, innovation, and leadership early in their careers. Entrants in this category are dynamic professionals who have made significant contributions to their organisation's and the wider industry, demonstrating potential to become future leaders and influencers in event technology.

The Event Technology Awards has always recognised the achievements of young businesses looking to make their mark. This category is open to all event technology start-ups who have been trading for less than 18 months.

This category celebrates breakthrough innovations that have made a significant impact on the events industry within the past year. This award recognises products that demonstrate exceptional creativity, functionality, and effectiveness in addressing key challenges or enhancing event experiences. Entrants in this category showcase cutting-edge solutions that push the boundaries of technology and offer tangible benefits to event organizers, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees alike. From pioneering hardware to groundbreaking software, these products represent the forefront of innovation in event technology.

This category recognises excellence in solutions designed to streamline and enhance the visitor registration process. This award celebrates technologies that provide efficient, user-friendly, and secure registration experiences, from pre-event sign-ups to on-site check-ins. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, reliability, and the ability to significantly improve attendee management and data collection, setting new standards in visitor registration technology.

This category recognises outstanding solutions that streamline and optimise the entire event planning and management process. This award celebrates platforms that offer robust features, intuitive interfaces, and seamless integrations, empowering organisers to create and execute successful events with ease. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, reliability, and the ability to effectively manage all aspects of event planning, from registration and ticketing to marketing and attendee engagement. From small gatherings to large-scale conferences, these platforms set new benchmarks for event management excellence.

This category honours outstanding platforms that streamline the process of finding, booking, and managing event venues. This award celebrates solutions that offer user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive venue listings, and efficient booking processes, empowering event planners to discover the perfect space for their events. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, reliability, and the ability to effectively connect event organisers with suitable venues, whether for corporate meetings, conferences, weddings, or other gatherings. From online booking platforms to venue marketplace apps, these solutions simplify the venue selection process.

This category acknowledges excellence in platforms and productions that seamlessly blend in-person and virtual event experiences. This award celebrates solutions that offer innovative features, robust engagement tools, and flawless integration to create cohesive and interactive hybrid events. Entrants in this category demonstrate outstanding ability to connect and engage audiences across both physical and digital spaces, setting a high standard for the future of hybrid events.

The Best Audio Visual Supplier category will honour outstanding providers of audio-visual solutions for events. This award recognises companies that deliver superior AV technology and services, enhancing the overall event experience through high-quality sound, stunning visuals, and seamless integration. Entrants in this category exemplify innovation, reliability, and excellence in meeting the diverse audio-visual needs of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions.

This award recognises technologies and initiatives that facilitate dynamic, immersive, and meaningful interactions between event participants, organisers, and sponsors. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to utilise a diverse range of technologies - such as mobile apps, AR/VR, social media integrations, and interactive installations - to create engaging experiences that captivate audiences and foster connections. From interactive exhibits to gamified experiences to live polling and networking tools, these solutions redefine how attendees engage with events, leaving a lasting impact and driving increased participation and satisfaction.

This award recognizes technologies and initiatives that facilitate dynamic, immersive, and meaningful interactions between event participants, organizers, and sponsors. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to utilize a diverse range of technologies - such as mobile apps, AR/VR, social media integrations, and interactive installations - to create engaging experiences that captivate audiences and foster connections. From interactive exhibits to gamified experiences to live polling and networking tools, these solutions redefine how attendees engage with events, leaving a lasting impact and driving increased participation and satisfaction.

This category celebrates innovative solutions that enhance attendee engagement and interaction during events. This award recognises technologies and initiatives that empower attendees to become active participants, fostering meaningful connections and memorable experiences.

Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to leverage technology to create dynamic and immersive audience participation opportunities. From live polling and Q&A sessions to interactive voting and gamification elements, these solutions elevate audience engagement, enrich event experiences, and foster a sense of community among attendees.

The Best Onsite Badging and Check-In Solutions category recognises outstanding innovations that streamline the onsite registration and badging process at events. This award celebrates solutions that offer efficient, reliable, and user-friendly check-in experiences, enhancing attendee satisfaction and event organisation. Entrants in this category showcase technologies that automate badge printing, integrate seamlessly with registration systems, and provide real-time insights into attendee arrivals. From self-service kiosks to mobile check-in apps, these solutions set new standards for onsite badging and check-in efficiency, ultimately contributing to the success of events worldwide.

This category recognises innovative solutions that harness technology to collect and analyse data to gain valuable insights into event performance and attendee behaviour. This award celebrates technologies and strategies that effectively capture, process, and interpret event-related data to inform decision-making and improve future events. Entrants in this category utilise a variety of tools and methodologies, such as RFID tracking, mobile apps, surveys, and social media monitoring, to gather comprehensive data on attendee demographics, engagement levels, and preferences. From real-time dashboards to post-event reports, these solutions provide organisers with actionable insights to optimise event planning, marketing, and execution

The Best Networking Technology category acknowledges innovative solutions that facilitate meaningful connections and interactions among event attendees. This award celebrates technologies that go beyond traditional networking approaches to create dynamic and valuable networking experiences. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to foster genuine connections through features such as matchmaking algorithms, virtual networking lounges, and interactive networking sessions. From facilitating one-on-one meetings to enabling group discussions, these technologies set new standards for enhancing networking opportunities at events.

This award recognises solutions that effectively leverage technology to create immersive, memorable, and impactful experiences that align with brand objectives. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to utilize a diverse range of technologies - such as AR/VR, interactive installations, experiential marketing, and social media integrations - to engage attendees and communicate brand messages in unique and compelling ways. From interactive product demonstrations to personalised experiences to social media activations, these solutions elevate brand events, leaving a lasting impression on attendees and driving brand awareness and loyalty.

This category celebrates innovative solutions tailored specifically to enhance the festival experience. This award recognises technologies that optimise various aspects of festival organisation, from ticketing and access control to crowd management and interactive experiences. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, reliability, and the ability to create memorable and immersive festival environments. From mobile apps for lineup schedules to cashless payment systems to virtual reality experiences, these technologies enrich the festival experience, ensuring attendees have a seamless and enjoyable time.

This award celebrates technologies that facilitate seamless content delivery, interactive engagement, and networking opportunities for conference attendees. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, versatility, and reliability, providing organisers with tools to create dynamic and impactful conference programs. From virtual to hybrid to in-person conferences, these technologies set new benchmarks in conference technology excellence.

The Exhibition Technology category recognises exceptional solutions that enhance the exhibition experience for both exhibitors and attendees. This award celebrates technologies that optimise booth management, engagement, and lead generation, maximising the impact of exhibitions. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, effectiveness, and the ability to create immersive and interactive exhibition spaces. From digital signage to interactive displays to lead retrieval systems, these technologies elevate the exhibition experience, driving attendee engagement and fostering meaningful connections between exhibitors and visitors.

This award recognises solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, IoT, and data analytics to engage fans, improve safety, and optimise event operations. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to harness technology to deliver immersive experiences, enhance spectator engagement, and elevate the overall event atmosphere. From interactive fan experiences to real-time performance analytics, these solutions represent the forefront of technological innovation in the sporting event industry, enriching the experience for athletes, fans, and organisers alike.

This award celebrates solutions that demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to reach and engage target audiences through digital channels and platforms. Entrants in this category utilize a diverse range of technologies, such as social media marketing, email automation, content management systems, and data analytics, to create impactful marketing campaigns that drive awareness, interest, and attendance. From personalised messaging to targeted advertising to influencer partnerships, these solutions showcase the power of technology in maximising event visibility, engagement, and success.

This category will celebrate excellence in live streaming and video production services for events. This award celebrates companies that deliver high-quality, reliable, and innovative live streaming solutions, enabling events to reach global audiences in real-time. Entrants in this category demonstrate expertise in capturing and broadcasting live events with professional production values, seamless streaming, and interactive features. From multi-camera setups to virtual event platforms, these services enhance the reach and engagement of events, ensuring memorable experiences for both virtual and hybrid audiences.

This category celebrates excellence in platforms designed to host, manage, and enhance virtual events. This award recognises the most innovative and effective solutions that provide seamless user experiences, robust engagement tools, and comprehensive analytics. Entrants in this category demonstrate exceptional capabilities in creating immersive virtual environments that connect and engage audiences globally, setting new standards for virtual event technology.

This category celebrates innovative approaches that deeply engage audiences, leaving a lasting impression. This award recognises experiences that blend cutting-edge technology, creativity, and storytelling to transport attendees into unforgettable brand worlds. Entrants in this category demonstrate mastery in creating immersive environments, whether through virtual reality, augmented reality, interactive installations, or other immersive techniques, resulting in immersive brand experiences that captivate and inspire.

This category celebrates innovative applications of artificial intelligence (AI) that significantly enhance event experiences. This award recognises solutions that leverage AI algorithms, machine learning, and natural language processing to deliver personalised, efficient, and engaging interactions for attendees, exhibitors, and organisers alike. Entrants in this category demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and the ability to harness AI technology to optimise various aspects of event planning, management, and attendee engagement. From chatbots to predictive analytics, these solutions represent the forefront of AI innovation in the events industry.

The winner will be selected based on the ability to demonstrate mid to long-term event technology strategies to achieve the business vision, mission and to exploit innovation to their advantage. The ability to manage procurement, piloting and validation of new technologies, processes and systems to support event technology strategy, and advocate on how those technologies are used and aligned to events is at the heart of the winner of this category.

This category celebrates excellence in ticketing solutions that streamline the ticket purchase process and enhance the overall attendee experience. This award recognises technologies that offer user-friendly interfaces, secure transactions, and robust features such as dynamic pricing, integrated access control, and personalised ticketing options. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, reliability, and the ability to effectively meet the diverse needs of event organisers and attendees. From online ticketing platforms to mobile ticketing apps, these solutions set new benchmarks for ticketing technology.

The Best Sustainable Tech Solution category at the Event Technology Awards honours advancements that prioritise environmental responsibility and sustainability within the events industry. This award recognises solutions that integrate eco-friendly practices, materials, or technologies to minimise environmental impact while maintaining high performance standards. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovative approaches to reducing carbon footprints, promoting waste reduction, and conserving resources, setting a precedent for sustainable practices within the event technology sector.

This category recognises an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in the field of event technology. This award celebrates a CTO who has significantly contributed to the advancement and implementation of cutting-edge technologies, driving their organisation’s success and setting new industry standards. Entrants in this category are visionary leaders who inspire progress, foster innovation, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of event technology.

This category celebrates agencies that exemplify innovation and creativity in the event technology space. This award recognises agencies that deliver unique, imaginative solutions and campaigns, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in event tech. Entrants in this category are trailblazers who consistently produce memorable and impactful experiences, demonstrating originality, ingenuity, and excellence in their approach to event technology.

Best Event App celebrates excellence in mobile applications designed to enhance the event experience. This award recognises apps that offer comprehensive features, intuitive navigation, and seamless integration, empowering attendees with valuable information and interactive tools. Entrants in this category demonstrate innovation, reliability, and the ability to significantly improve attendee engagement, networking, and overall event satisfaction. From agenda planning to live polling to interactive maps, these apps set new standards for event app excellence.

The Best Technology Partnership category at the Event Technology Awards recognises collaborative efforts between two or more companies that have resulted in exceptional technological advancements for the events industry. This award celebrates partnerships that leverage complementary expertise, resources, and technologies to deliver innovative solutions that address critical industry needs.

Entrants in this category showcase successful collaborations that have demonstrated measurable impact, creativity, and scalability in enhancing event experiences. From strategic alliances to joint ventures, these partnerships exemplify the power of collaboration in driving progress and innovation within the event technology landscape.

This category honours venues that lead the way in incorporating advanced technology and innovative solutions to enhance the event experience. This award recognises venues that offer state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge AV systems, and smart technology integrations, providing an exceptional environment for events. Entrants in this category demonstrate a commitment to leveraging technology to create versatile, efficient, and unforgettable event spaces.

Are you the industry’s favourite event tech supplier? The companies that receive the most votes will be awarded bronze, silver and gold, voted for by the readers of Event Industry News.