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20 CATEGORIES YOUR VENUE CAN ENTER!


Your venue can enter more than one category so be sure to read the rules and criteria to find the best fit for your venue and your team. Below you will find descriptions and judging criteria for each category so that you can tailor your entry to the specific category requirements. Click here for the rules and guidelines.

 

1. BEST NEW EVENT VENUE IN CANADA

The best new event venue will have opened between January 2018 and September 2019. This venue has experienced exceptional industry response, has hosted notable events within its first 18 months in business, is versatile and user-friendly. The winning venue will be selected by the judge’s consideration of the following:

  • Flexibility and usable space
  • Inclusion and use of new and innovative technology
  • Unique design elements that impact the way the venue is utilized
  • Offer a unique guest experience
  • Ambiance
  • Accessibility
  • # of events booked during the qualifying period
  • Launch strategy to introduce venue to the market


2. BEST WEDDING VENUE IN CANADA

The title of Best Wedding Venue in Canada will be given to the venue that can show, through the submitted entry that it the best overall suited wedding venue in Canada. By reviewing information submitted in the entry package, judges will determine the winner using the criteria below:

  • Unique features of the event space
  • Use of integrated technology
  • Stand out design elements that make it amenable to weddings
  • Wedding party experience (testimonials are good to include)
  • In-house capabilities & features
  • Catering possibilities and services either in-house or available via partners
  • Location
  • Wedding party facilities, services, and amenities
  • Romance factor


3. BEST IN HOUSE CATERING TEAM 

The Best In-House Catering Department award will be given to the venue that repeatedly sets new standards of excellence in catering, offers diverse and innovative menus, provides outstanding service. Judges will focus on the following and entrants are recommended to do the same.

  • Catering services are provided on the premises.
  • Creativity and menu diversity
  • Presentation
  • Quality of service & commitment to excellence
  • Local or sustainable sourcing
  • Specializations
  • Innovation and unique services


4. BEST VENUE EVENT PLANNING TEAM 

The Best Venue Event Planning Team award in Canada will be determined by judges considering the following. We suggest that you speak to these in your entry documents.

  • Number  and scope of events in the qualifying year
  • Unique challenges and creative solutions
  • Meeting client objectives (via referrals and case studies)
  • Creative use of in-house features or technology
  • Customer service and commitment to excellence
  • Unique offerings, services or specialties
  • Success in event planning
  • Big wins 


5. BEST HISTORIC VENUE 

The award for Best Historic Event Venue in Canada will be determined by judges considering the following. We suggest that you speak to these in your entry documents. 

  • Historical elements of the venue
  • Conversion to event space while maintaining historical components
  • Unique design elements
  • Overall guest experience (document via unique processes, protocols, case studies, and referrals)
  • Location
  • Commitment to excellence.    
  • Service and amenities
  • Food services


6. BEST ACADEMIC EVENT SPACE 

The Best Academic Event Space in Canada refers to a venue on the grounds of or managed by a university, school, college, training center, teaching facility or space designated as a learning centre for 60% of its open hours.  Judges will consider the following in evaluating the entry.

  • The flexibility of your event space
  • Unique integrated technology
  • Unique design elements
  • Overall guest experience (use referrals and case studies to demonstrate)
  • In-house A/V capabilities
  • Catering capabilities or catering options
  • Production support
  • Planning support
  • Location
  • Aesthetics


7. BEST CONFERENCE VENUE 

Open to venues that are designed for use as a primary conference facility. The best conference venue in Canada will be determined by overall considerations including:

  • The flexibility of event spaces
  • Use of innovative technology
  •  Functional use of space
  • Unique design elements
  • Overall guest experience from arrival to departure (use case studies and referral letters to support this)
  • In-house production support
  • Planning support teams
  • Location
  • Services and amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Notable events or BIG wins in the qualifying year


8. MOST CREATIVE EVENT SPACE 

Most Creative Event Space in Canada is a space that is unique, that is designed in a non- traditional way, that allows planners unique options in the way they creatively use the space(s). The winner will be determined by the judges using the following considerations:

  • The flexibility of the event space
  • Use of innovative technology
  • Creative design and functional use of space
  • Unique design elements that impact the success of events
  • Location
  • Services and amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Notable events or BIG wins in the qualifying year


9. MOST ECO FRIENDLY EVENT VENUE 

The Most Eco-Friendly Venue in Canada will be determined by overall considerations including:

  • Unique green elements of your space
  • Any environmental awards, designations or recognitions
  • Unique waste diversions or re-purposing
  • Sustainable food choices of venue’s catering services
  • Energy performance of building (e.g. LEED certification)
  • Environmental practices of venue operator (e.g. recycling/composting, carbon neutrality)
  • Protection of sensitive natural environments (for outdoor venues)
  • Environmentally friendly options for clients and events


10. BEST CANADIAN VENUE MANAGEMENT GROUP 

The Best Canadian Event Venue Management Group award will be given to the company that manages more than 3 event venues and is responsible for both the day to day operations and marketing. Judges will be reviewing entries based on the following criteria and entrants are encouraged to consider these as well when writing the entry.

  • Milestones achieved in the qualifying year
  • Big wins and awards or industry recognition in the qualifying year
  • The success of each event space and cumulative growth in the qualifying year
  • Unique propositions of each venue
  • Managing philosophy or mission statement
  • Employee considerations
  • Operational successes
  • Unique services and amenities
  • Openings expansions or renovations in the qualifying year
  • Comprehensive marketing campaign


11. BEST HOTEL EVENT SPACE 

The Best Hotel Event Space in Canada will be determined by overall considerations including;

  • The flexibility  and functionality of event spaces
  • Use of innovative technology
  • Unique design elements
  • Overall guest experience (use referrals and case studies)
  • In-house production support & rentals
  • Planning support teams
  • Location of event spaces in relation to guest rooms and public zones
  • Services and amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Notable events or BIG wins in the qualifying year.
  • Foodservice and creative catering options


12. BEST MUSEUM/GALLERY EVENT SPACE 

Best Museum/Gallery Event Space in Canada must be a public open venue which houses displays, exhibitions, and or permanent viewing centers such as a memorial or that house collections of some kind. This can range from a traditional museum to an art gallery, hall of fame, sports museum or airplane museum.  The judges will consider the following criteria when determining the winner. Entries should speak to these as well:

  • The flexibility of event space
  • Use of innovative technology
  • Flexibility to work with planners to incorporate exhibits and or installations
  • Unique design elements
  • Overall guest experience and guest opportunity
  • In-house production support
  • Location
  • Services and amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Notable events or BIG wins in the qualifying year


13. BEST COUNTRY/RURAL EVENT VENUE 

Best Country/Rural Event Venue in Canada is a venue that is outside of the city limits, is in a designated rural area, features outdoor event space or the ability for guests to access grounds and is designed as a destination venue. This can include barns, chalets, lodges, farms, wineries and historic sites. Winners will be determined by overall considerations including:

  • The flexibility of  event space
  • Unique features and creative use of space
  • Overall guest experience
  • Amenities and services
  • Exclusive /privacy /environment for private events
  • Parking and location
  • Use of outdoor spaces
  • Catering facilities and services


14. MOST TECH SAVVY VENUE 

Most Tech-Savvy Event Venue in Canada will be determined by judges considering the following. We suggest that you speak to these in your entry documents.

  • In-house technical capability (complete or partial services)
  • In-house production support.
  • Unique integrated technology
  • Any additional technological highlights that further define your advantage
  • Venues overall services and amenities
  • Overall guest experience (use referrals and case studies)


15. BEST RESTAURANT EVENT SPACE 

The Best Restaurant Event Space will be determined by overall considerations including;

  • The flexibility of event spaces in the restaurant
  • Use of innovative technology
  • The functionality of the event space
  • Unique design elements
  • Overall guest experience (use referrals and case studies)
  • In-house production support & rentals
  • Planning support teams
  • Location of event spaces in relation to the public zones
  • Services and amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Notable events or BIG wins in the qualifying year
  • Foodservice and creative catering options


16. BEST INTERACTIVE EVENT SPACE

Best Interactive Event Space in Canada is where guests are given an activity to participate in while visiting the venue. From an arcade/gaming venue to an escape room, rodeo, car racing, beach or pools venue, riding facility, movie house to tasting lounge or obstacle course venue, the winners will be determined by the following considerations;

  • How is your event space interactive?
  • What special services are provided?
  • Unique event space design elements
  • In-house A/V / production support capabilities
  • Guest experience goals and outcomes
  • Catering and food services offering
  • Services and amenities


17. MOST INTIMATE EVENT SPACE 

The Most Intimate Event Space in Canada is a space that provides a private and “cozy” setting for events. It can accommodate no more than 200 guests; or at least has spaces that can be made small enough for a maximum of 200 guests. Judges will look for the following in their evaluation.

  • Intimate environment of event spaces
  • Creative design and functional use of space
  • Unique design elements
  • Privacy and ability to create a private event
  • Location
  • Catering and food service options
  • Services and amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Notable events or BIG wins in the qualifying year


18. VENUE SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

The Best Event Venue Salesperson of the Year is the person who:

  • Exceeded pre-set goals
  • Excels at client management
  • Always goes above and beyond to work within clients budgets and needs
  • Is active in the industry and participates in industry events
  • Has a strong sense of responsibility and ownership of his/her role and is committed to the success of the venue of every level.
  • Consistently displays that their values and philosophies reflect the organization’s ideology and values.
  • Is an exceptional asset to the team


19. BEST VENUE MARKETING TEAM 

The Best Venue Marketing Team in Canada: 

  • Exceeds sales and marketing goals
  • Excels at client management
  • Has created unique and captivating marketing campaigns within the qualifying year (show examples)
  • Has a strong sense of ownership and is committed to the success of the venue of every level
  • Has a defined strategic plan for reaching marcom goals and attracting venue clients.
  • Is successful is hosting events at the venue to attract new clients
  • Has a presence in the industry
  • Is innovative in their designs and promotions


20. CANADA’S MOST OUTSTANDING VENUE OF THE YEAR 

This award is given to the venue that has proven in its entry to have had the most outstanding year (qualifying period). In the entry package include details about or speak to the following:

  • BIG wins and notable events in the past year
  • Most outstanding qualities that make the venue remarkable
  • Guest experiences (use case studies and referrals)
  • Most unique offerings and amenities
  • Referrals and client testimonials