WINTER | AGENDA
2020 challenges
Event Production Awards reports record entries
The Event Production Awards
2020 is preparing for its biggest
ever year, and its entry deadline is
17 January
The prestigious awards, which
recognise excellence in the delivery
and production of live events, will
take place at Novotel London West
on 5 March, 2020.
Duncan Siegle, the Event
Production Awards’ event director
and publishing director of Access’
publisher Mash Media, is reporting
record entries as new judges are
revealed.
“These awards are an important
part of the calendar for the outdoor
and live events industry and this
is reflected in the number of
companies who enter and attend
the event. This year the entry
process is much simpler as we have
employed the team and software
of Evessio to run the programme.
Feedback on the 2019 event was
tremendous and we know this year
will be an even greater event”
The event will welcome more than
500 event professionals involved in
the curation and delivery of outdoor
and live events from festival and
event organisers, to production
teams, agencies and suppliers.
Judges this year include Aaron
Raybe, Momentum Worldwide;
Dennis Mills, MEI; Andy Lenthall,
PSA; Gill Tee, Black Deer Festival;
Nick Morgan, We Are The Fair;
Craig Mathie, Bournemouth 7s; Ben
Street, Wild Paths Festival; Helen
Swan, Lucid Creates and many more
to be revealed.
Register here: https://www.
eventproductionawards.com/
2020’s award categories are:
» Technical Event Production Of
The Year
» Full Event Production Of The Year
» Best Crewing Supplier
» Best Security Company
» Best Concession Provider
» Best Power Supplier
» Best Toilet And Hygiene Provider
» Best Fencing/Crowd Barrier
Supplier
» Best Flooring Or Roadway
Supplier
» Best Staging Company
» Best Temporary Structure
Supplier
» Venue Of The Year
» Green Supplier Of The Year
» Best Ticketing Provider
» Best Use Of Technology At An
Event
» Best Visual Spectacular
» Brand Activation Of The Year
» Production Team Of The Year
» Music Event Of The Year
» Sporting Event Of The Year
» Access All Areas’ Supplier Of The
Year
Sustainability, safety and social media are
some of the trends to watch out for in 2020,
Access has learnt.
Jason Venables, business development
manager at 11th Hour said sustainability
will become increasingly important to
implement at every level of an event, which
means that suppliers have to be ready to
have those conversations with organisers.
“One important element of this is being as
efficient as possible when it comes to onsite
power. We and many other suppliers closely
track energy usage and fuel consumption,
maximising performance while keeping
costs low and being able to track our
environmental impact.”
Safety at live events is also at the forefront
of industry minds in 2020. Venables added:
“In addition to the security element, which
involves keeping our visitors safe and
happy in crowded spaces, it’s important to
remember to look after everyone working
onsite with thorough checks on lifting,
rigging and electrical equipment,” he added.
Finally, Venables said event production
will increase in scope and scale. “Visitors
are accustomed to quality production,
‘Instagrammable’ moments and memorable
set pieces, all of which require balancing of
time and budget from event teams.”
ER Productions, meanwhile, is embarking
on a project to design and construct its own
bespoke facility, with all the features and
space a world-leading laser and SFX provider
requires. “We will be moving into our new
30,000sqft HQ in October 2020, which will
contain new R&D facilities, and a brand-new
Workshop, with all the tooling necessary to
fabricate innovative technology and keep
existing equipment maintained to the high
standards our clients expect.
Fineline Lighting director Rob Sangwell,
meanwhile, said the festival visions are
expanding. “Production value, event design
and overall look and feel are playing a
growing role in visitor experience. Lighting,
sound and staging professionals are
working harder than ever to support artists
and create memorable, high-quality live
experiences for festivalgoers.”
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