Countdown to the 14th Best Event Awards, the contest reserved for events and live communication from all over the world, has formally begun with the announcement of the official shortlist of entries competing to go on stage during the ceremony to celebrate the winners of the Best Event Awards and Best Location Awards.
This year, 160 shortlisted entries will compete for the iconic Elephant trophies. Winners will be announced and awarded on a luminous night during the Bea World Festival – Where Creativity Meets Business, which will take place in Milan, Italian fashion, finance, publishing, and design capital, from 27 to 30 November 2019.
The shortlist, which can see here, was announced at the end of an online ballot overseen by a Jury Panel, which includes representatives of top corporate companies with local and international responsibility and senior members of national event associations from different countries in the world.
Germany leads the ranking of applicant countries with 37 entries, 24 of which made the shortlist (64,9%). In the second place, Italy with 40 entries and 21 shortlisted projects (52,5%). To follow,
Belgium (29/17, 58,6%), Spain (25/16, 64,0%), Russia (20/13, 65,0%), India (20/8, 40,0%), UK (13/8, 61,5%), France (11/7, 63,6%), Portugal (11/6, 54,5%), Austria, the Czech Republic and Latvia (each with 7/5, 71,4%). Among non-European countries, India, Qatar, Brazil, China and Israel made the shortlist too.
On 28 November 2019, at Hotel Melià Milano, all shortlisted events will have the chance to be showcased live in front of the audience and the Jury, led this year by Alexander Safonov, Global Event Director at Oriflame Cosmetics: a further chance to convey the strengths of the finalist events. Jurors will establish the ranking in each category and then the final podium of the Best Event Awards, as well as the Iconic Award if deemed appropriate.
On the following day, 29 November, brilliant speakers from inside and outside the event industry will offer delegates a multidisciplinary approach to the Festival theme and guide them through uplifting keynotes, practical sessions, successful corporate case studies or hands-on workshops. Delegates will also have the chance to schedule meetings with Bea World jury members and speakers, to discuss challenges, projects, and build relationships with potential clients and peers from around the world.
The same day, young professionals from all over the world will compete for the Elephant Prodige Award, a great platform for young talents from the international events industry. The competition aims at recognizing the talent and creativity of the next generation of event professionals on a global stage, as well as showcasing their skills to the whole live communications industry. Lavazza Company will share a briefing to develop a live communication project. Participants, divided into random couples, will have 8 hours to shape a project. All projects will be judged by the client and the winning team will be crowned live during the Award ceremony.
In the evening, The Mall, one of the best event venues in Milan, will host the long-awaited award ceremony and the after-party. The last day, 30 November, will be set aside for leisure activities to discover Milan as the capital of fashion, design, culture, and history.