HHO Events is delighted to announce they are a finalist in the category of Event Managers of the Year in the Australian Event Awards to be announced in Sydney on October 8th!!

On behalf of the HHO Events team, I acknowledge the contribution of all our clients, service providers, sponsors, committees, supporters and friends for this great accolade.

The most innovative, creative and outstanding events and event managers from all over Australia will be nationally recognised and winners announced at the ‘Industry Night of Nights’ Gala Dinner on Thursday 8 October 2009.

The finalists include an incredibly diverse and eclectic range of Australian events, from Grand Slam Tennis to a sustainable music festival, from Beijing to Mildura, and from the Coonamble Rodeo to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The judging panel of industry experts, co-chaired by Johnny Allen and Sandy Hollway, said the standard of entries was highly impressive and that innovation in event techniques, knowledge or practices was particularly rewarded across all categories.
“The 2009 finalists are a celebration of the rich variety and outstanding quality of events that are created in this country, from small-scale events in regional Australia to our highly successful international event programs. We are thrilled with the calibre and diversity of entries in this first year and the judges congratulate all the finalists for their contribution to Australia’s flourishing events industry,” said Johnny Allen, Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Event Management.

The finalists include strong entries from regional areas, showing the quality of events and community support in areas such as Geelong, Byron Bay, Coonamble, Mildura, Warrnambool, Port Douglas and Toowoomba.

The Australian Open was a favourite with the judges, being named as a finalist in three categories, Best Sporting Event, Best Poster or Flyer and Best Marketing Campaign. The Adelaide Fringe Festival has been named as a finalist in two categories, competing against the Sydney Festival in Best Cultural or Arts Event, it is also a finalist in the category, Best Partnership by a Business or Media Outlet.

In the CIM Best Meeting or Conference Award the finalists show an impressive level of innovation, with one finalist a conference event that was held entirely online.
Australia’s place in the international events market is clearly illustrated by the finalists in the Best Export category leading the world in event management, staff and volunteer training, entertainment and promotion.

Shani Wood, HHO Events and Rhumbline Marketing are competing for the prestigious Event Manager of the Year Award, the highest accolade awarded to an Australian event manager for exceptional work over a 12 month period.

Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner at The Westin, Sydney on Thursday 8 October.

The 2009 Australian Event Awards is the national awards program to reward innovation, recognise excellence and unite the entire Australian Events Industry.

Best Sporting Event
Anaconda Adventure Race – Rapid Ascent Pty Ltd
Australian Open – Tennis Australia
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Whereis Australian Surf Life Saving Championships - Surf Life Saving Australia
Best Tourism Event
Tour Down Under, UCI Pro Tour event – South Australian Tourism Commission
Fun4Kids Festival – Warrnambool City Council
Live Event for The Best Job In The World - Wonderment
Best Charity or Cause-Related Event
Carols By Candlelight – Carols by Candlelight SA Inc
Variety – the Children’s Charity Christmas Party – Lehman & Associates
Give it a Go – a great little event company Pty Limited
CIM Best Meeting or Conference
Trans-Tasman Endodontic Conference – Conexion Event Management Pty Ltd
GOLD09 Online Human Lactation Conference - Health e-Learning
Tech.Ed 2008 – Microsoft Australia
Best Cultural or Arts Event
16th Biennale of Sydney: 'Revolutions – Forms That Turn' - Biennale of Sydney Ltd
Adelaide Fringe 2009 – Adelaide Fringe Incorporated
Sydney Festival 2009 – Sydney Festival Limited
Bluesfest – Bluesfest Pty Ltd
Best Corporate Event
Atlantic On Site Launch - Atlantic Group
Global Harvey Norman Electrical Franchisee Conference
2009 – HI Event Management The Chivas Studio – Yakusan
Best Community Event
Fun4Kids Festival – Warrnambool City Council
2008 City of Sydney Spring Cycle – Bicycle NSW
Pako Festa – Diversitat
Moomba Waterfest – City of Melbourne
Best Achievement in Technical Production
Health e-Learning for their work on GOLD09 Online Human Lactation Conference
Auditoria Pty Ltd for their work on World Youth Day 2008
G1 Productions for their work on Conference Game Show
Best Achievement in Design
Iceworks Design Pty Ltd for their work on Financial Conference for ABT
2Fish Management for their work on The Lacoste Palace
TRIA for their work on World Youth Day 2008
Best Achievement in Catering
Avocado Group for their work on Elizabeth Bay House Showcase
Culinary Edge for their work on Emirates Autumn Racing Carnival Hospitality Marquee & Events
Bayleaf Catering & Edible Solutions for their work on Steve Waugh "Forever Green" Charity Dinner
SPICE Best Venue
Federation Square
Flames of the Forest
Doltone House
Best Product or Service
The Three Waiters International - Mardar Entertainment Pty Ltd
Decorative Events and Exhibitions – Decorative Events Pty Ltd
RiskSense - Reliance Risk Pty Limited
Best Education Program
School of Management, University of South Australia
Kenvale College
CIT Events, Canberra Institute of Technology
Best Export
Maxxam International
The Three Waiters International - Mardar Entertainment Pty Ltd
TAFE NSW
Team Australia Business Events Educational – Tourism Australia
Best Poster or Flyer
Australian Open – Tennis Australia
2009 Harbour IT Coonamble Rodeo & Campdraft – Coonamble Rodeo Association
Creative Generation, State Schools Onstage - Queensland Department of Education and Training
Best Marketing Campaign
Creative Generation, State Schools Onstage - Queensland Department of Education and Training
Australian Open – Tennis Australia
Asia Pacific Screen Awards - Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ltd
Best Partnership by a Business or Media Outlet
Creative Generation, State Schools Onstage 2009 - Queensland Department of Education and Training and Network 10
Asia Pacific Screen Awards - Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ltd and CNN International
Adelaide Fringe 2009 - Adelaide Fringe Incorporated and BankSA
Young Achiever of the Year
Katerina Pitsikas
Melissa Park
Daniel Sekers
Best Achievement in Sustainability
Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts and Music Festival - Peats Ridge Festival Pty Ltd
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers - Toowoomba Regional Council Spring Into Gardening 2008 – City of Stonnington
Event Manager of the Year
 Shani Wood
 HHO Events
 Rhumbline Marketing Pty Ltd