Do potential clients see industry awards as a favorable option to book that venue or person. As a venue, we put a lot of work into the submission of an award. Its something that you really believe in, your team has worked hard and you deserve recognition for what you have worked for over the past year.
The nervousness surrounding a submission is always that feeling of being good enough. We are shortlisted! It’s a great feeling like, wow someone outside our organisation sees the hard work we’re doing and thinks we should be celebrated for that.
The nights themselves are always fantastic, who better to host an event than an event management company themselves. Asides from the glitz, the glamour, the food and the entertainment, the networking opportunity are always great at these events. But when is the right time to let your guard down and enjoy the event rather than networking?
I always enjoy watching the industry awards as I feel proud of my industry and the hard work people have put in. I feel inspired by their stories and motivated to ensure I am doing more to better myself and my organisation. There is no feeling like it when it comes to your category everyone wants to win but you still want to be humble.
When the winner is revealed, it's the make or break point. If you are the lucky ones it's amazing! Best feeling ever, you're on cloud 9. But if your not what does this mean. Were you not good enough at this time? Or was the winner just better? The roller coaster you feel on the build-up to that moment is worth it.
The first question I asked when our name wasn't called, is why? Why them and not us? I believe the panel was professional, knowledgeable with great experience so why didn’t they see pick us. Once the plates are cleared and the band has packed up and your sat thinking about this award and what it meant to you to get it do you think who recognises your success, do others value it like you do and is it a deciding factor in booking a venue?
I might not have walked away from the CHS awards with the award in my hand but we came away with some fantastic memories of a great evening some great contacts and the desire for the determination for next time to be the winners.
Rachel Cottiss, Conference & Events Manager, Venues at Northumbria