The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2019 have launched today, with 14 categories now available for entry. 

The awards aim to recognise and reward best practice activities shown by the catering, operations, conference and events teams at football and rugby stadia across the UK and Ireland. 

The majority of award categories will close on 1st April 2019, with each entry being independently judged by industry experts from organisations including arrangeMY, Conference News, The Change Group, fcbusiness, HBAA, HGEM, Salon Culinaire, and Venue Smart. 

The 14 award categories for 2019, include:

Visiting Football Directors Award (Voted for by visiting directors, supported by fcbusiness)

Visiting Rugby Directors Award (Voted for by visiting directors, supported by fcbusiness)

Chef Team of the Year Award (Judged by Salon Culinaire)

Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award (Judged by HGEM)

Best Digital Enquiry Award (Judged by HGEM)                             

Shining Star Award (Judged by panel of industry experts)

Operations Team of the Year Award (Judged by panel of industry experts)           

*NEW* Matchday Sales Team of the Year Award (Judged by panel of industry experts)

*NEW* Non-Matchday Sales Team of the Year Award (Judged by panel of industry experts)

Best Stadium Venue Award (Judged by panel of industry experts)

Matchday Hospitality Award – Small (up to 1000 hospitality seats) (Judged by Salon Culinaire)

Matchday Hospitality Award – Medium (1001 – 2000 hospitality seats) (Judged by Salon Culinaire)

Matchday Hospitality Award – Large (2001+ hospitality seats) (Judged by Salon Culinaire)

Overall Matchday Hospitality Award (Judged by Salon Culinaire)

The Winners, Silver and Bronze Awards for each category will be announced at the prestigious awards evening on Thursday 23rd May 2019 at Etihad Stadium, home of Premier League champions, Manchester City Football Club. 

Over 400 guests will be welcomed including decision-makers from teams such as sales, conference and events, matchday hospitality, chef teams, public catering teams, operational departments and senior management attending to share the celebrations and network.  Tickets start from £95 each (discounted member rate) and are available to purchase now.

Debbie Rigney, Marketing & PR Manager for Stadium Experience, and awards organiser, commented: “2019 is the 14th annual awards organised by Stadium Experience, with entries continuing to rise in number and quality every year. 

“It’s truly fantastic to see so many stadium venues sharing their activities and best practice examples, which continues to drive up standards across the industry – We’re really looking forward to seeing what 2019 brings!”

More information is available online at – www.stadiumexperience.com/awards/