The spotlight shone bright at Cvent CONNECT Europe, where event and hospitality leaders came together to celebrate innovation, impact, and excellence across the meetings and events industry.
Each year, the Cvent Excellence Awards honour the trailblazers who redefine what’s possible with technology, creativity, and collaboration. This year’s winners have raised the bar yet again, proving that great ideas and great events go hand in hand.
From hybrid experiences that connect global audiences to hospitality teams driving measurable results, these winners showcase the best of what our industry can achieve together.
Join us in celebrating the outstanding 2025 Cvent Excellence Awards winners.
2025 Excellence Awards Europe Winners - Event Professionals
Best Hybrid Experience
OUTSYSTEMS
OUTSYSTEMS centralised its rapidly expanding global events programme with Cvent, welcoming over 10,800 attendees and increasing online session engagement by 62%. Their streamlined approach set a new standard for operational excellence and strategic impact within the organisation.
Best In-Person Experience
St. James’s Place
By adopting Cvent Onsite Solutions, St. James’s Place created a seamless delegate journey. Through RFID tracking, they automated session attendance and CPD allocations, replacing manual processes with 100% accurate reporting and a truly frictionless experience.
Meaningful Impact
Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association championed accessibility and sustainability, achieving an 80% accessible event with full WCAG compliance. They encouraged attendees to prioritise eco-friendly travel, resulting in a 66% rise in train journeys to their event.
Cvent Newcomer of the Year
MAD//Fest
At their London event hosting 9,000 attendees and 206 exhibitors, MAD//Fest revolutionised the onsite experience. With 15 Cvent Kiosks, they reduced check-in time to under one minute per person and enabled exhibitors to capture nearly 13,000 qualified leads.
Cvent Advocate of the Year
Paul Gibbons, EY
Paul Gibbons established Cvent as a cornerstone of EY’s global event strategy. By building a centralised ecosystem, he enhanced efficiency and seamlessly integrated event data into legacy systems, making it easier than ever to prove ROI and scale impact.
Cvent Partner of the Year
The Turner Agency (TTA)
TTA partnered with Shine Cancer Support to deliver a flagship hybrid conference that built community and awareness. Their collaboration brought 25% more attendees together and earned eight industry awards, demonstrating how technology and empathy can drive meaningful outcomes.
Outstanding Total Event Programme
Eli Lilly & Company
Eli Lilly transformed its global event operations by consolidating complex, compliance-driven processes into a unified Cvent ecosystem. The result was over 84,000 event registrations, marking a 53% increase year over year and setting a benchmark for total event management.
2025 Excellence Awards Europe Winners - Hospitality Professionals
Corporate Travel Champion
Minor Hotel Group
Minor Hotel Group recorded a 37% increase in processed corporate travel RFPs, achieving a remarkable 90% acceptance rate. Their focus on operational excellence and client satisfaction has made them a leader in corporate travel success.
Destination Marketing Leader
VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings
VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings elevated destination marketing performance, increasing awarded RFPs by 33% and achieving a 57.5% bid rate. Their strategic focus on visibility and collaboration set a new benchmark for destination excellence.
Hospitality Advocate of the Year
Afra Koers, Radisson Hotel Group
Afra Koers transformed internal perceptions of Cvent from curiosity to confidence. Through pilot programmes, testimonial campaigns, and global collaboration, she drove adoption, innovation, and new commercial opportunities across Radisson’s international network.
MICE Game Changer
Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol
Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol redefined MICE performance, achieving a 1,130% increase in awarded room nights and a 1,195% increase in RFP value, while maintaining an 85% bid rate and a rapid 1 hour 46 minute average response time.
Planner’s Best Partner
Novotel London West
Novotel London West delivered outstanding value for planners, maintaining a 99.2% response rate and booking 4,248 room nights, showcasing efficiency, reliability, and partnership at scale.
Portfolio Powerhouse
Edwardian Hotels London
Edwardian Hotels London enhanced portfolio performance with a 3% conversion rate increase and 10-hour reduction in response time. They also saw a 20% rise in new organisations and an 81% increase in RFP value, reinforcing their position as an industry leader.
Venue Directory Champion of the Year
Radisson Hotel Group
Radisson Hotel Group demonstrated leadership in enquiry management, handling 14,418 enquiries with an 86% response rate and confirming 2,155 bookings, setting the standard for operational excellence in venue partnerships.
Honouring the Spirit of Innovation
Each of these winners has showcased what it means to embrace change and deliver exceptional experiences through innovation, collaboration, and technology. Their achievements inspire the entire community of event and hospitality professionals to think bigger and act bolder.
If you missed the live ceremony, you can catch all the highlights on the Cvent CONNECT Attendee Hub, available on demand.
Be Part of Next Year’s Celebration
Think your team has what it takes to be recognised at the 2026 Cvent Excellence Awards? Nominations will open soon, and all finalists will receive complimentary Cvent CONNECT registrations.
Keep an eye on our updates, start collecting your success stories, and we might be celebrating you next year.
For any questions about the programme, reach out to excellenceawards@cvent.com.
