Access All Areas March 2022 | Page 31

Simply the best

MARCH | FEATURE
Recognising the outstanding work of individuals and teams behind the successful delivery of outdoor and live events during the past 12 months , the Event Production Awards on 17 February saw 21 companies and individuals walk away with welldeserved trophies

Hosted by stand-up comedian and presenter Glenn Moore , the Event Production Awards saw one of the industry ’ s most experienced and best-liked event professionals honoured for his relentless commitment and services to the industry .

To one of the biggest roars of approval of the night , Steve Heap took to the stage to collect the Access All Areas Industry Legend award . Heap has been the general secretary of the Association of Festival Organisers since its launch in 1987 , and was the director of Towersey Festival for 45 years up until 2019 when he retired .
Among the other big winners at the ceremony , held at Novotel London West , were Standon Calling for Full Event Production of the Year . The independently owned , 17,000-capacity , festival celebrated its 15th anniversary on 22-25 July last year – just three days after full-capacity events were given the green light on 19 July .
Photography by Jonathan JT Taylor @ Aniseed Photo
Explaining the choice , an EPA judge said , “ Delivering the festival on the back of a pandemic and in the midst of a pingdemic was a truly challenging set of circumstances . Achieving success was a considerable feat and is one which set parameters within which other festivals could operate .”
Another highly sought-after award , Supplier of the Year , was won by Qdos Event Hire . The judges were hugely impressed by the number of major events the company was able to accommodate in a very challenging period for the industry , ranging from the TRNSMT festival to Goodwood Revival . The judges said it was “ an outstanding entry and company ”.
The categories were judged by more than half a dozen events specialists including GL events UK managing director Scott Jameson , We Are The Fair director Yasmin Galletti , Association of Independent Festivals CEO Paul Reed and Global Infusion Group CEO Bonnie May .
Introducing the awards , Access editor Christopher Barrett said , “ It ’ s been a remarkably challenging year for the events industry , making these awards more deserved and hard won than ever .”
The Winners
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