The finalists are in! We’re proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Cvent Excellence Awards, Cvent's 14th annual customer awards program that celebrates the bold ideas, brilliant execution, and measurable results shaping the future of meetings, events, and hospitality.
Celebrating success in style at the Excellence Awards
This year’s finalists represent organizations of every size and corner of the industry, from event and marketing teams rethinking what flagship experiences can do to hospitality leaders finding new ways to grow group business, elevate guest experiences, and prove impact.
Chosen from hundreds of applications, this year’s finalist class reflects the momentum, ingenuity, and ambition driving our industry forward.
We’ll celebrate this year’s finalists live during the Cvent Excellence Awards at Cvent CONNECT in Nashville during a hybrid awards ceremony, to be held on Tuesday, July 14. The awards will bring together the industry's top event professionals, marketers, and hospitality leaders to celebrate how they're reimagining and innovating what our industry can be.
Shining a light on industry leaders
Finalist recognition goes far beyond a moment on stage. It’s a lasting celebration of the vision, innovation, and impact these leaders are driving across our industry. Finalists enjoy access to exclusive VIP experiences, complimentary Cvent CONNECT registrations, and recognition in front of thousands of their peers at one of the year’s biggest celebrations.
In 2026, the program continues to evolve with standout new categories that reflect where the industry is headed, including Digital Events Visionary, Event Intelligence Award, Association & Non-Profit Impact Icon, and The AI Activator.
If you’d like to learn more about the categories, criteria, and the customer stories behind this year’s program, visit the Cvent Excellence Awards website. And if you haven’t registered yet, explore everything waiting for you at Cvent CONNECT 2026.
Congratulations again to all of this year’s finalists and can’t wait to celebrate you in Nashville!
Event Professionals & Marketers
Marketing Mastermind
- Calix
- Fortune Media Company
- Gainsight
Trade Show Trailblazer
- Argen, Inc.
- Schneider Electric
- CEVA logistics
Digital Events Visionary
- Uber for Business
- Braze
- FloQast
Ace of Spaces
- Forvis Mazars
- Higher Learning Commission
- LamontCo
Association & Nonprofit Impact Icon
- United Federation of Teachers
- Wounded Warrior Project
- American Nuclear Society
The Rookie
- Golub Capital
- WEX Inc.
- Kern County Superintendent of Schools
- Sanofi
Pivotal Partner
- Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.
- ConferenceDirect
- McVeigh Global Meetings and Events
Power of the Platform - Flagship Event
- GBTA
- SAS Institute
- RoboCup Federation
- Workhuman
Power of the Platform - Total Event Program
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital
- EY
- American Meteorological Society
- ConnectWise
Event Intelligence Award
- CAIS Group
- NCCI Holdings
- Babson College
Cvent Advocate of the Year
- Kim Tabor, GIE Media
- Leah Johnson, Augeo Experience
- Andrea Sorbello, The United States Tennis Association
Hospitality Professionals
The AI Activator
- Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts
- Pacific Hospitality Group
- Azul Hospitality
The Portfolio Powerhouse
- Schulte Hospitality Group
- Davidson Hospitality Group
- Aimbridge Hospitality
The Block Buster
- Montage International
- Caesars Entertainment
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown
The Business Intelligencer
- Crescent Hotels & Resorts
- Hilton West Palm Beach
- InterContinental Houston by IHG
The Group Game Changer
- Claremont Resort & Club
- Hyatt Regency Times Square
- PGA National Resort
The Hometown Hero
- Greenshoro North Carolina Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
- Visit Austin
The Cvent Advocate of the Year
- Todd Gehrke, Davidson Hospitality Group
- Maureen Leary, Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
- Shelley Williams, F1 Arcade
The Clever Collaborator
- Ocean Properties Hotels and Resorts
- AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE)
- Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
