Winning an industry award is often seen as a hallmark of excellence, and the EN Supplier Awards are no exception. These prestigious awards celebrate the best suppliers in the exhibition and events sector, providing recognition that can enhance brand visibility, boost employee morale, and open new opportunities.
EN‘s Jason Studd explores the benefits of winning the EN Supplier Awards, by speaking with three previous winners: Natalie Bruce of EBISS UK, Aden Watson of Giant iTab, and Charlotte Scotland of Connection Crew.
Enhancing brand reputation
Natalie Bruce, marketing executive, EBISS UK
“Although maybe not directly attributable to winning new business for us, winning the EN Supplier Award in 2023 has enhanced our brand perception and is a prestigious accolade that we place prominently on marketing content, social media, and direct email marketing communications.
It elevates our position as a serious player in the event logistics market, and not just a ‘one man with a van’ company, but a professional event and exhibition logistics provider that prides itself on providing great service across a wide range of events, exhibitions, and trade show needs for our clients. The win also gave the entire EBISS team a massive morale boost as they we were not expecting to win on the night. It was such a wonderful surprise!”
Leveraging awards in sales and marketing
Aden Watson, marketing and project manager, Giant iTab
“We absolutely see the benefit in submitting awards with Exhibition News. Within our marketing and talking to prospective clients from an exhibition stand, we often mention our various award wins. For example, if we are designing a campaign around ROI or speaking to a potentially new client, we will talk about how we won “Best Sales Tool” at the EN Supplier Awards.
The same goes for talking to an organiser, we will mention our award win at the EN INDY Awards for “Best Supporting Supplier” and, if we are talking to a creative agency looking to integrate our interactive touchscreens within their clients’ branding objectives, we will mention our award-win at the EN Supplier Awards for “Best Visitor Engagement.
The awards we win continue to bear fruit for us, and we will continue to submit award entries as it has become a major part of our marketing and sales strategy.”
Boosting employee morale
Charlotte Scotland, marketing and data manager, Connection Crew
Charlotte Scotland from Connection Crew emphasises the positive impact winning the award had on her team.
“Winning the award is certainly something we talk about and drop into new sales pitches. We shared the news of our win on the website, recruitment pages, across social media, and the ‘EN Supplier Awards Winner’ logo is visible on all of our email signatures. It gives the team a boost, and it’s an easy way of showing that they’re doing a great job.”
Visibility and credibility
Winning an EN Supplier Award places your company in the spotlight within the exhibition and events industry. It signals to potential clients and partners that your company is among the best in the field. This visibility can lead to increased inquiries and potential collaborations, as businesses often prefer to work with award-winning suppliers who have been vetted by industry experts.
The credibility that comes with winning an award can also differentiate your company from competitors. In a market where trust and reliability are paramount, being recognized as a leader can provide a significant advantage.
Clients are more likely to engage with a company that has been publicly acknowledged for its excellence, leading to stronger business relationships and long-term success.
Industry recognition and networking opportunities
Winning an EN Supplier Award not only elevates your company’s profile but also opens networking opportunities with other industry leaders. Award ceremonies and related events provide a platform to connect with key stakeholders, potential clients, and partners. These interactions can lead to valuable collaborations and insights that can drive business growth.
Being part of the award community also allows companies to stay abreast of industry trends and innovations. Engaging with peers and competitors in a celebratory environment fosters a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
This networking can provide inspiration and new ideas that can be implemented within your own organisation, ensuring you remain at the forefront of the industry.
The EN Supplier Awards offer numerous benefits beyond the immediate thrill of winning. They enhance brand reputation, provide valuable marketing and sales leverage, boost employee morale, and increase visibility and credibility within the industry.
As the experiences of Natalie, Aden, and Charlotte demonstrate, these awards can play a crucial role in shaping perceptions and opening doors to new opportunities.
Join us on the 16 August at Epsom Downs Racecourse to see which companies will walk away with an EN Supplier Award this year.
