What are the EventsAir Innovation Awards?
The EventsAir Innovation Awards are a prestigious recognition program that celebrates outstanding achievements within the EventsAir community.
This is our chance to shine the spotlight on our incredible customers taking innovative steps towards originality and pushing the boundaries of what's possible using the EventsAir platform.
The Awards are FREE to enter and open to all customers globally.
Who should enter?
The Awards are open to all EventsAir customers, regardless of event size, industry, or location.
You should consider entering if:
- You’ve used EventsAir to solve a unique challenge in event planning or delivery.
- You’ve created an engaging, original attendee experience through the platform.
- You’ve implemented a process, feature, or integration in a way that stands out from the norm.
- You’re proud of your team’s innovation and want to share your success story.
What will the award winners receive?
Winning an EventsAir Innovation Award comes with more than just prestige — it opens doors to meaningful rewards that support your continued growth in the events industry.
Professional Development
Thanks to our Innovation Awards Partner, Best Use of Tech (APAC) and Innovator of the Year (APAC and EMEA) will receive a complimentary ticket to attend a major PD event in their region.
Complimentary AirTime Ticket
Winners will receive a complimentary ticket to any AirTime conference location of their choice (travel and accommodation not included).
AirTime Speaker Spotlight
Winners may be invited to share their journey as a featured speaker at AirTime.
Submissions Open
Coming soon
Submissions Close
31 August 2026
Winners Announced
At AirTime 2026
2026 Innovation Award Categories
The EventsAir Innovation Awards feature multiple award categories designed to recognize a wide range of achievements and innovations. Each category highlights a different aspect of event planning and delivery, allowing participants to showcase their strengths and creativity in the areas that matter most to them.
Innovator of the Year
Awarded to an individual or team that has pushed the boundaries of event management with groundbreaking ideas and creative applications of EventsAir.
Event of the Year
Event of the Year recognises an outstanding event delivered on the EventsAir platform that sets new benchmarks for innovation, execution, and impact while delivering exceptional attendee experiences and measurable success.
EventsAir Rising Star
Celebrating emerging talent, this award highlights a newcomer who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and adoption of EventsAir.
Best Use of Tech
This category recognizes the most innovative and effective use of technology within EventsAir, demonstrating how smart solutions can elevate event success.
EventsAir Hall of Fame
Honoring an individual who has made a lasting impact on their organization and the wider events industry through outstanding use and advocacy of EventsAir, inspiring others and setting the standard for excellence.
View our official 2026 Innovation Awards judging criteria HERE
Meet our judging panel
Meet the experts behind the judging process. Our panel brings together industry leaders and innovators with a wealth of experience across events, technology, and creativity. All carefully selected to recognize excellence and celebrate outstanding achievements.
2026 EventsAir Innovation Awards judging panel includes:
Justine Stewart
Head of Education
EventsAir
Megan Crum
General Manager
PCOA
Nikki Massadi
Global Enagement Manager
EventsAir
Michael Lockett
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Symbiometry
Kelly Harvey
Chief Marketing Officer
EventsAir
Paul Trappett
Chief Executive Officer
EventsAir
Renee Elliot
Vice President of Product
EventsAir
Mehdi Khalili
Chief Technology Officer
EventsAir
Sharifah Yasmin Rafidah Wafa
Senior Executive
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Innovation in action: Meet our past winners 🏆
The EventsAir Innovation Awards celebrate the creators behind unforgettable events – those who embrace technology, push creative boundaries, and deliver exceptional attendee experiences. These past winners show what’s possible when expertise meets innovation.
2025 HALL OF FAME AWARD RECIPIENT
Franck Grosset
With over 20 years of experience working with EventsAir, Franck Grosset is Head of PCO and Innovation Hub at Kuoni Tumlare Congress, where he has driven the delivery of hundreds of global congresses. His work has supported over 77,000 delegate registrations and enabled seamless transitions across in-person and virtual events.
A respected leader in event technology, Franck’s strengths include innovation, system integration, and process optimisation. Through the creation of an Innovation Hub, he has championed practical, scalable solutions that reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and enhance the delegate experience.
Franck is passionate about advancing the events industry through technology, continuously exploring new ways to deliver smarter, more impactful event experiences.
2025 APAC INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER
Stewart Wang
With a strong focus on innovation and problem-solving, Stewart is a Junior Software Engineer at Open Law, where he has expanded the capabilities of EventsAir through advanced system integration. He developed a bi-directional sync between Supabase and EventsAir, enabling seamless, real-time data management across platforms.
A technically skilled innovator, Stewart’s strengths include data integration, automation, and platform optimisation. His work has eliminated data silos, improved accuracy, and significantly enhanced operational efficiency.
2025 EMEA INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER
Michael Lockett
With extensive experience in event technology, Michael “Milo” Lockett is Founder and CTO of Symbiometry, a UK-based consultancy specialising in optimising event experiences within EventsAir. He leads the design of registration journeys, abstract systems, and evaluation platforms for large-scale congresses.
A highly skilled technical innovator, Milo’s strengths include UX design, platform optimisation, accessibility, and data quality. His work transforms complex workflows into seamless, intuitive experiences that improve engagement and efficiency.
Milo is passionate about delivering scalable, impactful solutions that elevate both delegate experience and event outcomes.
2025 APAC BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNER
Sharifah Yasmin Rafidah Wafa
With a strong focus on innovation and efficiency, Sharifah is Senior Executive of Event, Conference & Visit Management at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, where she has transformed how EventsAir is used across conferences and campus-wide events.
A strategic and creative thinker, Yasmin’s strengths include process optimisation, automation, and engagement design. From cost-saving badge solutions to gamification and post-event automation, her work has improved efficiency, reduced costs, and elevated the event experience.
Yasmin is passionate about using technology to solve real-world challenges, building sustainable, high-impact systems that benefit both her institution and the wider events community.
2025 EMEA BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNER
Mondial Congress Project Team FELASA
The Mondial Congress Project Team FELASA has been delivering large-scale congresses and seamless attendee experiences with EventsAir since 2015, leveraging the platform’s extensive functionality to support complex registration, accommodation, workshops, networking, and onsite engagement requirements.
A highly experienced and innovative team, Project Team FELASA continually pushes the boundaries of event technology through advanced automation, OpenAPI integrations, and creative problem-solving. Their work has enabled seamless connectivity with external apps, intelligent networking features, workshop management with dynamic waitlists, and multi-layered onsite access control across live, virtual, and hybrid experiences.
By combining flexibility, technical expertise, and a strong focus on attendee experience, the team continues to deliver scalable, data-driven event solutions that enhance engagement, streamline operations, and support ongoing event innovation.
2025 APAC RISING STAR AWARD WINNER
Renae Hobson
In just two years, Renae Hobson from Speech Pathology Australia has grown into a key member of her team as a Conference & Events Coordinator, using EventsAir to transform registration and delegate experiences. She approaches every build with creativity and precision, leveraging automation, conditional logic, and dynamic content to streamline complex processes.
A proactive and thoughtful rising talent, Renae’s strengths include personalisation, process improvement, and operational efficiency. She has developed reusable templates, enhanced volunteer coordination, and evolved gamification strategies to drive stronger engagement.
Renae is passionate about continuously improving how events are delivered, bringing both innovation and energy to every experience she creates.
2025 EMEA RISING STAR AWARD WINNER
Alexandra Samara
With a strong track record of innovation in event delivery, Alexandra from Austropa Interconvention has consistently leveraged EventsAir to streamline complex processes and enhance the participant experience. She has led improvements across registration, accommodation, and invoicing, including the successful automation of badge production for large-scale events.
A proactive and solutions-focused professional, Alexandra’s strengths include process optimisation, automation, and large-scale event delivery. Her work has improved operational efficiency, reduced manual workload, and supported events with over 3,000 participants.
Alexandra is passionate about using technology to drive smarter workflows and deliver seamless, high-quality experiences for both organisers and attendees.
Previous Years Winners
These winners represent outstanding achievements across all categories, showcasing innovation, expertise, and excellence in event management worldwide.
