Countdown to the 12th Best Event Awards, the contest reserved for events and live communication (this year in its first global format), has formally begun with the announcement of the official entries’ shortlist.
133 shortlisted entries, out of 296 total submissions (+7% compared to last year) from 27 countries, will compete this year for the iconic elephant trophies. Winners will be announced and awarded on a glittering night during the Bea World Festival – Where Creativity Meets Business, which will take place in Porto from November 15th to 18th.
The shortlist was announced at the end of an online ballot overseen by a Jury Panel, which includes representatives of top corporate companies with international responsibility and members of national event associations from different countries in the world.
Italy leads the ranking of countries represented with 73 entries, of which 24 made the shortlist. Just behind, Germany with 51 entries and 20 shortlisted, France (22/17), Russia (21/12), Spain (16/5) and the Czech Republic (16/6). Among non-European countries, China stands out with 3 shortlisted events from its total 5 submissions, and Qatar will have 1 challenger from 3 candidates. However, none of the entries submitted by the United Arab Emirates (4), Canada (2) and the USA (1 entry), managed to make the final shortlist.
Entries will compete in 19 categories (14 event categories and 5 feature categories) and 2 macro categories.
All shortlisted agencies will have the opportunity to fly to Porto and present their projects live in front of the audience and the Jury, led this year by Andrea Faflíková, CEEMEA Senior PR & Event Manager of The LEGO Group: a further chance to convey the strengths of the finalist events.
Live presentations will take place on November 16th at Alfandega Porto Congress Center. The following day, the same venue will also host the full programme of conferences and workshops. In the evening, the Rivoli Theatre will become the main venue for the long awaited award ceremony. The last day, November 18th, will be set aside for leisure activities to discover Porto.
Bea World Festival – Where Creativity Meets Business, is a unique and once-in-a-year opportunity to see the world’s best-in-class events live, stay up-to-date with the changing landscape of live communication, develop business and learn from leading experts for future success.
The Festival will be hosted in Porto, between November 15th and 18th 2017, thanks to the collaboration of APECATE, the association that gathers and represents the Portuguese companies of Congresses, Events and Tourism Animation, along with the support of Tourism of Portugal, the Association of Tourism of Porto and the North (ATP), Porto’s City Council and EDP.
