Celebrating the innovation, resilience and excellence of Aotearoa's world-class events industry.
Enter Now — Closes 19 April 2026Why Enter
The Industry's Ultimate Accolade
Recognise Your Team
Give your people, stakeholders and suppliers the recognition they deserve. These awards honour the people who push our industry forward.
Celebrate Excellence
Honour outstanding events and suppliers delivering exceptional experiences for communities right across New Zealand.
Elevate Your Brand
Finalists and winners gain national recognition, media exposure and a powerful endorsement of the quality work you deliver.
Celebrate at the Gala Dinner
Join the industry's night of nights.
Wednesday 5 August 2026
NZICC, Auckland
Tickets on sale 1 April 2026.
Key Dates
2026 Timeline
Process
How to Enter
Create a Profile
Visit nzea.co/awards and set up your profile in the online entry portal.
Choose Categories
You can enter multiple categories. Browse below to find your best fit.
Build Your Entry
Save as a draft and return as many times as needed before submitting.
Submit & Pay
Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm, Sunday 19 April 2026. Fees apply on final submission.
Late entries accepted until 11:59pm, Thursday 23 April 2026 (late fee applies). · View Terms & Conditions →
Pricing
Entry Fees
NZEA Members
Not yet a member? Join NZEA before entering to access member pricing.
Non-Members
Fees charged on final submission — save as draft while you work on it.
2026 Award Categories
Click any category to expand the full award description, eligibility, and judging criteria.
Professional of the Year
Recognises event or sponsorship professionals with under five years' experience (as at 7 April 2026) who demonstrate outstanding leadership and industry potential. No age limit.
Proudly Sponsored by NZICCJudging Criteria
This Award Is Yours to Win
Under five years in the industry? Your achievements deserve national recognition. Entries close 19 April 2026.
Professional of the Year
Recognises professionals with a significant career — typically 6+ years' experience — where the qualifying year demonstrates exceptional excellence and outstanding performance.
Judging Criteria
A Career of Excellence Deserves Recognition
Your industry expertise and leadership are the benchmark others aspire to. Nominate yourself or a colleague today.
Event of the Year
Recognises outstanding arts, cultural, or heritage events — regardless of organisation size or event budget.
Proudly Sponsored by TicketmasterJudging Criteria
Did Your Event Bring Culture to Life?
If your event celebrated heritage, arts or culture — it belongs in this category. Enter by 19 April 2026.
of the Year
Recognises excellence in business events of any size — both Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C).
Proudly Sponsored by CventJudging Criteria
Did Your Business Event Deliver Results?
Conferences, activations, exhibitions — if it drove outcomes, it deserves to be recognised. Enter by 19 April 2026.
Event of the Year (Under 3,000 participants)
Recognises excellence in events with fewer than 3,000 participants delivered to meet community needs or for cause-related fundraising and awareness.
Judging Criteria
Community Impact Deserves the Spotlight
Small events can create enormous change. If your event made a difference, tell that story here.
Event of the Year (Over 3,000 participants)
Recognises excellence in events with more than 3,000 participants delivered to meet community needs or for cause-related fundraising and awareness.
Judging Criteria
Scale Your Community Impact Into a Win
Large-scale community events that create lasting change — this is the category to enter.
of the Year
Recognises excellence in event sponsorship that delivers strong outcomes for all stakeholders through a cohesive, integrated strategy. Open to all levels — budget and event size are not factors.
Judging Criteria
Be the First to Win This Brand-New Award
2026 is the inaugural year for Event Sponsorship of the Year. Make history — enter now.
Event of the Year
Recognises excellence in food, beverage, or lifestyle events — food/wine/beer festivals, garden shows, special-interest expos. Budget and event size are irrelevant.
Judging Criteria
Did Your Event Tantalise Taste Buds and Imaginations?
Food, wine, lifestyle — if your event created memorable experiences, enter here.
Event of the Year
Recognises excellence in events owned or delivered by local government. Budget and event size are irrelevant.
Judging Criteria
Show How Local Government Leads the Way
Council-owned and delivered events that serve communities — enter and showcase your impact.
of the Year
Recognises excellence in sports events. Event budget and size are irrelevant.
Proudly Sponsored by TicketekJudging Criteria
Did Your Sports Event Inspire Aotearoa?
From local events to national spectacles — if you delivered excellence on the field or off it, enter here.
of the Year
Recognises excellence in music-focused events — concerts, festivals, performances, tours, one-off or series. Budget and event size are irrelevant.
Proudly Sponsored by APRAJudging Criteria
Your Music Event Deserves More Than Applause
Festivals, concerts, tours — if it moved an audience, it can win an award. Enter now.
of the Year
Recognises successful hosting and/or delivery of an internationally significant event in New Zealand, generating profile or visitation from outside New Zealand. Typically owned by an international rights-holder with a local delivery partner.
Proudly Sponsored by BidfoodJudging Criteria
Put New Zealand on the World Stage
If your event drew international attention to Aotearoa, this is your award. Enter now.
of the Year
Recognises excellence in event marketing and creative concepts — graphic design, design & build, theming, and more.
Proudly Sponsored by Phantom BillstickersJudging Criteria
Great Events Start with Great Creative
Did your marketing or creative concept elevate an event? Show the judges what you made. Enter now.
of the Year
Recognises outstanding service or product suppliers supporting the events industry. Suppliers of innovative products/services or marketing/creative may wish to consider those specific categories.
Proudly Sponsored by NZMEJudging Criteria
The Industry Runs on Suppliers Like You
Outstanding service deserves outstanding recognition. Enter by 19 April 2026.
of the Year
Recognises outstanding environmental sustainability initiatives across the events sector — including sustainable events and sustainability-focused products, services, or organisational practices.
Judging Criteria
Lead the Industry Towards a Greener Future
Sustainability initiatives that made a real difference. Enter here and inspire the whole industry.
Event of the Year
Recognises outstanding diversity, equity, and inclusivity-focused events that champion belonging and representation.
Judging Criteria
Events That Make Everyone Feel Welcome
If your event championed inclusion and broke down barriers, this award was made for you.
of the Year
For event venues — stadiums, convention centres, private function venues, sporting venues, community venues — that delivered an exceptional event during the qualifying period.
Proudly Supported by EVANZJudging Criteria
Your Venue Brings Events to Life — Prove It
Great venues make great events. Enter and show the industry what exceptional hosting looks like.
Special Awards
Awarded by NZEA
These two awards are not entered in the same way — read on for details.
New Zealand's Favourite Event 2026
All finalists from the Excellence Award categories are automatically entered. The event with the most public votes during the voting timeline wins. Voting opens July 2026 via a public poll — first past the post wins. Finalists are encouraged to mobilise their audiences.
No separate entry required — finalist status from another category is your ticket in.
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 2026
Recognises an individual or team with an outstanding contribution to advancing the New Zealand events industry — either across a career or a specific multi-year project. By third-party nomination only.
Judging: NZEA conducts preliminary research on nominees. The NZEA Board may also nominate. The Board shortlists, consults industry leaders, and decides the winner. No finalists announced — winner revealed at the Gala.
Submit a NominationEntries Close
19 April 2026
Don't miss your chance to be recognised at Aotearoa's most prestigious events industry night.