Attendance at the AEO People’s Awards increased by more than 44% this year, rising to 370 attendees compared with 257 in 2025, the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) has confirmed.

The awards recognise individuals and teams working across the events industry, with a focus on emerging talent. New team categories were introduced this year to reflect collaboration across sales, marketing and operations, AEO said.

All shortlisted finalists were provided with complimentary tickets to attend the ceremony. Members of the AEO Board were also present at the event.

Award winners

  • Support Team Star Player – Hannah Warren, Raccoon Media Group

  • Newcomer of the Year – Daniel Burton, Nineteen Group

  • Sustainability Champion – Lucille Ryan, Informa

  • DEI Champion – Sarah Farndale, Olympia Events

  • Content Executive of the Year – Daniel Cook, MA Exhibitions

  • Content Manager of the Year – Casey McHugh, Easyfairs

  • Sales Executive of the Year – Sam Cain, Hennik Research (part of Nineteen Group)

  • Sales Manager of the Year – Jack Hall, Questex – Operational Real Estate

  • Marketing Executive of the Year – Claudia Snape, Nineteen Group

  • Senior Marketing Executive of the Year – Daniel Burton, Nineteen Group

  • Marketing Manager of the Year – Noha Youssef, Informa

  • Senior Marketing Manager of the Year – Karen Abarian, Easyfairs

  • Operations Executive of the Year – Emily Patel, Nineteen Group

  • Senior Operations Executive of the Year – Jake Tyler, Hennik Research (part of Nineteen Group)

  • Operations Manager of the Year – Savitha Abreo, Informa Markets Middle East

  • Indomitable Spirit Award – Lyndsey Hill, Concept Furniture International Ltd

Team categories

  • Sales Team of the Year – DSEI, Clarion Events

  • Marketing Team of the Year – The Autumn Fair Marketing Team – Bahrain, Informa

  • Operations Team of the Year – Clarion Gaming Operations

Anna Golden, AEO CEO, said: “Seeing finalists and their teams supported in the room, with senior leaders showing up to champion them, created an incredibly powerful atmosphere. It was important to us that every finalist could be there to share that moment, because being recognised by your peers can be genuinely career-defining.”