The winners of the ESSA Awards 2025 were revealed last night, honouring the exceptional accomplishments of the sector’s leading professionals.

Marking its eighth year, the ESSA awards highlight the diversity and quality that drive the events industry forward, celebrating organisations and individuals who raise the bar in innovation, exceptional service and unwavering dedication.

Taking home the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award on the night was Luke Facey, Managing Director at Alfa Display & Design. Judges praised Luke’s long-standing advocacy for supplier welfare, citing his championing of the needs of contractors, stand builders and small businesses across the industry. As the first Chair of the ESSA Stand Builder Forum and a driving force within the joint AEO, AEV and ESSA Health & Safety Working Group, Luke’s influence behind-the-scenes embodies the very spirit of this award, recognising an unwavering commitment that has shaped and strengthened the sector in profound and lasting ways.

ESSA Awards 2025 winners list in full:

ESSA Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award, Sponsored by

beMatrix UK

Winner: Luke Facey, Manager Director, Alfa Display & Design

ESSA Young Person Award - Sponsored by Happy Projects

Class of 2025 Winners:       

• Hannah Alder, Abraxys
• Milly BagnAll, Promo House Staffing
• Freddie Coates, Moss UK Group Leah Evans, Lock5
• Elliott Haigh, Smart Display & Exhibitions
• Dominic Hudson, Psycho Peacock
• Rebecca McIntosh, beMatrix UK
• William O'Hanlon, Full Circle Events & Exhibitions
• Poppy Wilkes, Driscoll Brothers Group
• A special mention goes to Terri-Anne Maloney of Disrupt Talent for receiving HIGHLY COMMENDED in this category

ESSA Member Company Award - Sponsored by Beechwood Event Flooring

Winner: Aztec Event Services

Silver: Full Circle Events & Exhibitions

Silver: GES

ESSA Unsung Hero - Sponsored by Extreme Exhibitions

Winner: MITCH GRAY, Concept Furniture International

Best Organiser - Sponsored by Kuehne+Nagel

Winner: NINETEEN GROUP

Best Venue - Sponsored by GES

Winner: NEC BIRMINGHAM

Sustainability - Sponsored by Extreme Exhibitions

Winner: BeMatrix (UK)

Silver: Versatile Venues

Print: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by beMatrix UK

Winner: Priority Graphics for Heineken

Silver: moss uk group for Klaviyo

AV & Production: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by Aluvision

Winner: Insert Productions for Parker Paris Airshow

Logistics: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by InEvexco

Winner: Kuehne+Nagel for DSEI 

FULL-SERVICE Contractor: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by Air Business

Winner: SHOWLITE – CIPD Festival of Work

Silver: TECNA for AI Summit London

Best Stand Build under 10 sqm: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by Black Pear Creative

Winner: Rocket-X for Aimbridge EMEA

Best Stand Build under 30 sqm: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by PSP Exhibitions

Winner: IMAGINE EVENTS for Libernetix

Silver: Smart Display & Exhibitions for SA Catapult

Best Stand Build OVER 30 sqm: Delivering Exceptional Services & Products - Sponsored by Priority Graphics

Winner: IMAGINE EVENTS for Grant UK for Grant UK

Silver: EVOLVE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS for Analog Devices

Best Member Collaboration - Sponsored by Abraxys

Winner: Moss Group & SPIRO for Graphics for Good

Best Collaboration with an Organiser - Sponsored by InEvexco

Winner: ILS and World Travel Market 2025

Silver: ABRAXYS  and Informa

Silver: nasuwt and NIPPERBOUT

Silver: SOLUTIONS2 and Screwfix Live

Silver: WAYS & MEANS and RECFEST

Commenting on the awards, Andrew Harrison, CEO of ESSA, said: “As we celebrate the eighth ESSA Awards, I’m reminded that our industry’s strength lies in its people. These winners demonstrate the passion, creativity and commitment that make our sector extraordinary. There is exceptional work happening across our industry, work that is often unseen but critical to our collective success, and these achievements not only raise the bar but also inspire the wider community and will drive our sector into the future.”