The Meetings Show is the best platform in the UK for the events, meetings and incentives industry to come together to source, learn and network.

Launched in 2013, the show welcomes exhibitors from the UK and around the world including hotels, luxury hotels, destinations, destination management companies, conference centres, venues and technology suppliers.

In 2019 we saw over 12,000 pre-scheduled meetings taking place on the show floor and 5,000* meeting and event professionals attending ranging from agency buyers, in-house planners, associations planners, media and anyone with a genuine interest in the industry.

Last year, we developed an exciting virtual event to keep business meetings and events professionals connected and informed, wherever they were in the world.

The Meetings Show is now part of the Northstar Meetings Group, who have recently expanded to the UK, adding CAT Media to their global portfolio of events and publications.

The 2021 Format

This year's show will run as a hybrid event, taking place live at ExCeL London and virtually - we hope to see you there!

The ICCA Best Marketing Award recognises the excellence and outstanding achievements of organisations in their effort to market their product and services. Now, we’ve given this prestigious, annual award a makeover to reflect the challenges ICCA Members have faced during the pandemic.

The 2021 ICCA Best Marketing Award will celebrate Marketing through Transformation. This is your opportunity to show the world how your organisation has embraced future-forward thinking.

We’re not looking for big budget campaigns and Hollywood productions. 

Show us your unique, out-of-the-box efforts. We want to recognise the ways you’ve inspired, engaged, and demonstrated our industry’s resilience and renewal. 
We invite all types of initiatives from all ICCA sectors and regions to showcase their Marketing through Transformation in:

• Crisis management
• Innovative digital solutions 
• Diversified sustainability solutions
• Organisation reputation maintenance and enhancement 
• Transition from brand promotion to brand protection
• Extraordinary collaborations & partnerships

The 2021 Best Marketing Award criteria 

This year’s edition features an inclusive judging panel to ensure all ICCA sectors and regions are well represented. The 2021 Best Marketing Award winner and five outstanding recognitions will be selected based on high scores in the 2021 Award criteria and voting results during the 60th ICCA Congress. 

Judging panellists and voting members will evaluate the 2021 Best Marketing Awards entries based on: 

• Innovation and creativity
• Research and rationale 
• Success in meeting the objectives
• Communication 
• Return on investment (beyond-revenue gains are encouraged. Such as collaboration, awareness, community support) 

The five entries with the second highest score for one criteria will be recognised alongside the award winner. 

2021 Submission process

Phase 1 – Opening Submission

The competition is open to all ICCA Members and the ICCA Association Community (including individual members, or groups of members working together). 
Entries should be submitted in digital format and include:

• A short-written proposal/presentation (max 4 pages)
• A video presentation (6.40 mins, PechaKucha style, 20x20 presentation format. No need to download software or programme, just apply the format to your presentation)
• A short reel (Instagram style, 30 seconds in length)

Videos and reels production should be consistent with the following criteria:

• Personalised touch. We want to see ‘you’, your team and recognise your efforts.
• Casual tone of voice and engaging delivery. Captivate the audience in a fun and dynamic way.
• No state-of-the-art video production. Video quality should not exceed the quality of smartphone video standards.
• Big budget does not equal victory. We want to recognise the creativity and outstanding achievements of initiatives implemented with little to no budget.

Submissions should be sent to bestmarketingaward@iccaworld.org by September 15, 2021. 

Phase 2 - Selection of finalists for ICCA Congress

The Best Markeitng Award judging panal will select the finalists. Finalists& video presentations and reels will be featured during the 60th ICCA Congress in Cartagena, Colombia.

Phase 3 - Voting and announcement of winner and recognitions

Voting will take place on a virtual platform during the 60th ICCA Congress. The winners will be announced as part of the Congress programme. 

Phase 4 -  Winner and Recognitions’ education and legacy

The winner and recognitions’ entries should be educational and inspiring to peers in the industry. ICCA will highlight the projects in an article that will include best practices and relevant strategies that other community members can use as a model for their own marketing efforts.

Why participating?

For Entrants

• Opportunity to showcase your efforts and projects to internal and external stakeholders
• Global visibility 
• Recognition of team efforts and reward
• Chance to inspire others and develop best practices for industry and sectors 
• Work on a fun and exciting project 

For Finalists

• One free registration for the ICCA Congress
• Profiling on ICCA communication channels (website, newsletter, social media -LinkedIn)
• Entry video featured on the on the ICCA Congress digital platform 
• Recognition during the ICCA Congress
• Reel streamed before/after Congress sessions 

For Recognitions 

• All the finalist perks
• Worldwide recognition from peers and colleagues
• Permanent featured recognition on ICCA website
• Personalised recognition award
• Project highlights featured in the “Best Marketing Award Education Paper”
• Dedicated global PR (newsletter, press release, social media) 

For Winner

• All the Recognitions’ perks 
• Personalised logo to use on your website, emails or promotional materials

Send your project to bestmarketingaward@iccaworld.org. The deadline to submit your entry is 15 September 2021.