The ABPCO Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate industry best practice in association and not-for-profit conferences and events.  They are an opportunity to showcase the incredible work that is being undertaken in this sector, and the positive impact that it has.

We open for entries in May and this year's Awards will be presented in Belfast on 11 December at ICC Belfast. 

If your organisation is interested in sponsoring this year's event contact Matt Stalker. 

2026 ABPCO Excellence Award categories:

• Best Association Events Team
  This Award recognises the events team best able to demonstrate outstanding performance and results.  
• Best Digital & Technology Provider
  This Award recognises the best digital and technology provider to work in partnership with PCOs, associations and/or industry partners. 
• Best EDI at a Conference
  This Award recognises the PCO or conference team that has best demonstrated exceptional commitment to the promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion for their conference.
• Best Event by an Agency PCO (ABPCO members only)
  This Award recognises the conference or event delivered by an agency PCO which best demonstrates outstanding planning and has resulted in a purposeful, impactful and engaging event.
• Best Event by an In-House PCO (ABPCO members only)
  This Award recognises the conference or event delivered by an in-house team which best demonstrates outstanding planning and has resulted in a purposeful, impactful and engaging event.
• Best Industry Supplier  (ABPCO members only)
  This Award recognises the industry supplier that best demonstrates their positive impact on the not-for-profit/association events sector. 
• Best International Conference
  This Award recognises the best conference or event which has taken place outside of the UK that demonstrates outstanding event organisation, and which has resulted in an innovative, impactful, and engaging event.
• Best Member Engagement
  This Award recognises the best membership engagement via an event or a membership campaign.  
• Best Partnership
  This Award recognises the best partnership between PCOs, associations and/or industry partners
• NEW: Best New Conference
  This Award recognises the best new conference to be delivered for the first time since 1 June 2025.
• Best Sustainable Conference
  This Award recognises the PCO or conference team that has best demonstrated exceptional commitment to the promotion of economic, social and/or environmental sustainability for their conference.
• Guiding Star
  This Award recognises the individual working in association and not-for-profit events or as a supplier to these, who has best shown exceptional commitment to mentoring and supporting others within the industry.
• Legacy and Impact
  This Award recognises a team or organisation that has best shown far-reaching impact for our industry and further afield. 
• Rising Star
  This Award will be presented to the individual, who has spent less than 5 years in the association and not-for-profit events industry (or as a supplier to these), who has best shown exceptional promise and made significant impact.
• Student of the Year 
  This Award will be presented to the student, currently studying events management (or a related field) at a UK University or who has graduated in 2026, who best demonstrates exceptional promise and an outstanding approach to learning.