ABPCO Excellence Awards 2025 Finalists Announced — Celebrating Growth, Innovation, and Impact in the Association & Non-Profit Events Sector

11 September 2025 (Last updated: 11 Sep 2025 09:05)

The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2025 ABPCO Excellence Awards, the premier showcase for excellence, outstanding achievement, innovation and best practice in the non-profit side of the events industry.  This year, the awards have seen an impressive 20% increase in entries, underlining the continued growth, prestige and influence of this flagship event.

On Thursday, 11 December, you can participate in a themed fun paint activity at Manchester’s beautifully reimagined Victorian market hall, or a unique Invisible Cities Walking Tour – see website for ticket prices

On Friday, 12 December 2025: The Gala Awards lunch will be hosted at Manchester Central. This iconic venue will be filled with opportunity, celebration, and collaboration—bringing together a vibrant community of event professionals from associations, charities, public sector bodies, unions, councils, foundations, and membership organisations across the UK and beyond.

About ABPCO

ABPCO is the UK's leading professional body supporting individuals and organisations delivering events for associations, charities, not-for-profits, unions, the public sector, councils, foundations, and membership organisations. With nearly 40 years of heritage, ABPCO fosters a vibrant and growing community of professionals committed to excellence, innovation, and impact.

Finalists by Category

Best Association Events Team sponsored by ACC Liverpool

• British Society of Soil Science
• The Mosaic Events Team
• MCI Events Team – ESCRS
• NAHT Events Team

Best Digital & Technology Provider - sponsored by Live Recruitment

• CrowdComms
• VenuIQ
• Kubify
• EventsAIR

Best EDI at a Conference - sponsored by Meet Cambridge

• KC Jones Conference & Events
• NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union and Freshwater
• RenewableUK – Global Offshore Wind 2025
• Brightelm – Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum
• Event-ful – Making Tourism Accessible

Best Event by an Agency PCO - sponsored by Full Circle

• TFI Lodestar – BSG LIVE
• MCI Events Team – ESCRS
• Wonderly – CIPD Festival of Work
• Conference Partners International – British Society for Haematology
• Brightelm – Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum
• Event-ful – Meet the Buyer 2025

Best Event by an In-house PCO - sponsored by P&J Live

• RCPCH – 2025 Annual Conference
• The Institute of Leadership – The Leadership Awards
• BSI & IEC General Meeting
• NAHT Events Team
• PLSA (Pensions UK) Investment Conference.

Best International Conference - sponsored by Boardroom magazine

• ISCoS 2024 – International Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Antwerp
• The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Tbilisi (Abbey Conferences)
• TFI Lodestar – European Orthodontic Society (EOS)
• MCI – ESCRS 2024
• 5th International Social Housing Festival (Conference Partners International)
• World Muscle Society (WMS) Congress, Prague (Azura Events)

Best Member Engagement - sponsored by Memcom

• RCPsych International Congress 2025
• BSSS Conference – Engaging members in legacy projects
• Beyond the Event: A Visionary Approach to NAHT Member Engagement

Best Partnership - sponsored by Telford International Centre

• Neurodiversity in Events: A Cross-Sector Collaboration Creating Meaningful Change
• TFI Lodestar, SEC & Glasgow Convention Bureau – for British Society of Gastroenterology
• RCPCH & Wonderly – ‘anything but a traditional partnership!’
• Opening Doors & Venues Limited with Meet Cambridge
• The Royal Armouries with UKREiif
• RCGP and Wonderly

Best Sustainable Conference - sponsored by GES

• BSI & IEC
• RenewableUK – Global Offshore Wind 2025
• BeaconHouse Events – TechNExt 2025

Guiding Star - sponsored by Excel London

• Sophie Beasor – Power of Events
• Amy Phillips – ICC Wales
• Garth Halliday – RenewableUK
• Melanie Boyce – IOM3

Industry Supplier of the Year

• CrowdComms
• Harrogate Convention Centre
• Full Circle Events & Exhibitions

Legacy and Impact Award - sponsored by Bridgewater Hall

• The Power of Events – Schools Engagement Programme
• IPVC 2024 Legacy Programme (in partnership with the EICC)
• ‘Collectively we can Accelerate Action for Gender Equality’ (Hopefull Handbags, Mums in Business & Visit Belfast)
• BSSS Conference – Engaging the public with Soil Science
• Meet in Wales – aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act

Rising Star - sponsored by Abstract Events

• Ashleigh John – Satellite Applications Catapult
• Chloe Turner – ICC Wales
• James Lee – IOM3
• Daisy Basilio – Victory Services Club
• Shannon Hunt – Freshwater

Student of the Year - sponsored by Royal Armouries, Leeds

• Isha Lakhani – Oxford Brookes University
• Mariana Gil Perez – University of Surrey
• Hana Taylor – Oxford Brookes University

The Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Contribution Award (sponsored by MICE Concierge) will be revealed during the ceremony. Finalists across categories underscore the breadth of innovation and excellence across the spectrum of association and non-profit event professionals.

With Thanks to Our Event Sponsors

We’d also like to extend our sincere gratitude to our events sponsors who are making the day so special; Kubify, The Conference Works, Cvent, Sterling and the Royal Armouries.

Venue & Event Format

The Awards programme spans two days at Manchester Central, featuring:

• Thursday, 11 December 2025:
  • Optional pre-event networking and educational activities
  • Informal networking supper, sponsored by MICE Concierge
  • Entry to the evening reception at the venue, hosted by Manchester Central
  • After-party at The Blues Kitchen, sponsored by Full Circle Events & Exhibitions (bring your app or lanyard for entry)
• Friday, 12 December 2025:
  • Pre-lunch reception, sponsored by Harrogate Convention Centre
  • Awards ceremony (12:15–15:30) unveiled across 15 distinct categories

Support from Manchester Central ensures a top-tier backdrop for this momentous occasion.

 

Quote from Leadership

Quote from ABPCO Association Director:

“We are delighted by the 20% growth in entries this year—a testament to the increasing prominence of the ABPCO Excellence Awards within the association and non-profit sector. Our expanded sponsorship support, venue collaboration, and engagement with emerging talent reflect ABPCO’s mission: to recognise success, celebrate excellence, and nurture the future of our industry.” Heather Lishman, Association Director

Tickets are on Sale

Tickets are available to both members and non-members of ABPCO, offering full access to pre-event sessions, networking opportunities, and the awards ceremony itself. Visit ABPCO’s events page to book your place.  https://www.abpco.org/events/227/abpco_excellence_awards_2025  

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