Gilbert Felli, the city of Melbourne and the agencies Fast Track and Nova International Ltd were among the big winners of the 2009 SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards.
The Awards, presented last night at a Black Tie Ceremony at Lords Cricket Ground, London, are now in their third year and recognise the innovation and skill of the people and organisations that make sports events happen.
Such is the growth in popularity and scope of the Awards since their inception, that over 150 entries were received and over 200 guests attended the Ceremony.
A panel of distinguished international judges, including newly elected IOC Executive Committee member Sir Craig Reedie, had their work cut out deliberating the short-listed entries, before awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in each category.
The Outstanding Contribution Award went to IOC Executive Director, Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli for his work within the Olympic movement. His role in overseeing one of the most sprawling, complex events in sports is immense, from, this year, producing the technical evaluation of the four 2016 candidate cities to overseeing progress on the first Youth Olympic Games. Sir Craig Reedie, collecting the Award on Felli's behalf said: "Gilbert Felli's work on the Summer Games, the Winter Games and now the Youth Games is just incredible. He is Mr Olympic Games."
The Awards celebrated the outstanding events, organisers and individuals in each category, but this year more than ever before, the judges also felt they highlighted the breadth and creativity within the events sector with the inclusion on the short list of entries such as the BUPA Great City Games Manchester, the 17th Golden Oldies Rugby festival and the GAA All Ireland Quarter Finals.
Full List of Awards Winners
Brand Presentation
GOLD: MasterCard Worldwide for the UEFA Champions League Final
JOINT SILVER: McLaren Marketing Limited for the Formula One Grand Prix Season
JOINT SILVER: The Look Company for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships
Event Look
GOLD: Fast Track for the UK School Games
SILVER: ICC World Twenty20 Team (part of the ECB) for the ICC World Twenty20
BRONZE: Designwerk for the Victoria Cup
Event Marketing
GOLD: ICC World Twenty20 Team (part of the ECB) for the ICC World Twenty20
SILVER: Fast Track for the Aviva London Grand Prix
BRONZE: Munster Rugby for the Munster vs New Zealand Game
Event Overlay & Facilities
GOLD: GL Events and Oasys for the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa
SILVER: Nova International Ltd for the BUPA Great City Games Manchester
BRONZE: NUSSILI (Schweiz) AG for the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships
Event Services
GOLD: Creative Technology Limited for the European PGA Tour
SILVER: Gameday Management Group for the Super Bowl XLIII
BRONZE: Aesthetics Models and Events Ltd for Major Sporting Events in 2009
Hospitality & Travel
GOLD: Keith Prowse for the Twickenham Experience Rugby Hospitality
SILVER: Sportsworld Group Ltd for the British Tennis Series
BRONZE: Air New Zealand Holidays for the 17th Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival Edinburgh
Mass Participation
GOLD: Nova International for the BUPA Great Manchester Run
SILVER: IMG Mass Participation Sports for the Mazda London Triathlon
BRONZE: Diamond Sports Events for the Bournemouth Sevens Festival
Outstanding Contribution
Gilbert Felli
Security
GOLD: Sword Event Guard International for the Volvo Ocean Race, the Galway Stopover Festival
SILVER: Controlled Solutions Group for the World Fire-Fighter Games
Sports City
GOLD: Victorian Major Events Company for the City of Melbourne
SILVER: Senate Department for the Interior and Sport for the City of Berlin
BRONZE: Qatar Olympic Committee for the City of Doha
