A product launch is an event that signifies the introduction of a new brand, product, or service to the market. The event typically highlights the product’s features, benefits, and unique aspects and may include demonstrations, interactive experiences, and media coverage.

Judging Criteria:

Judges will focus on the event strategy, logistics, technology integration (if applicable), brand alignment, engagement, storytelling, media reach, outcome, metrics, accessibility, overall entertainment value and innovation.

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Not required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images. 

Private experiential events are exclusive, invitation-only experiences designed for a specific audience, such as clients, stakeholders, or industry leaders. Attendance is strictly restricted to those invited, ensuring a tailored and high-value interaction. These events focus on building deep, meaningful connections, aligning with strategic brand goals, and delivering personalized, impactful experiences that drive measurable outcomes.

Judging Criteria:

Experiential marketing events will be evaluated based on strategy, logistics, engagement, brand profiling, storytelling, media reach, outcome metrics, accessibility, and overall entertainment value. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Not required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images. 

Public experiential events are open to everyone, with no restrictions on who can attend. Tickets may or may not be required, depending on the event, but there are no barriers to entry beyond general availability. These events aim to engage a broader audience, creating immersive and inclusive experiences that build brand awareness, generate buzz, and foster lasting impressions among diverse groups. Public events often rely on their shareability to amplify their reach.

Judging Criteria:

Experiential marketing events will be evaluated based on strategy, logistics, engagement, brand profiling, storytelling, media reach, outcome metrics, accessibility, and overall entertainment value. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Not required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images. 

This category recognizes exceptional events organized by small, local, community-based charities or non-profits dedicated to positively impacting their immediate neighbourhoods. These organizations typically operate on a grassroots level, often with limited resources, volunteer-driven initiatives, and a profound commitment to addressing specific community needs. 

Judging Criteria:

Judging will focus on community impact, logistics, creativity, volunteer and staff participation, metrics and outcomes, marketing, sustainability/accessibility, budget management, and entertainment value. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images. 

This category recognizes outstanding events organized by high-profile charities or non-profits with a significant presence and a broad reach across regions or the entire country. These organizations often have substantial resources, extensive networks, and a strong national or international reputation. These events effectively leverage their high-profile status to advance their mission, raise funds, engage supporters, and make a substantial impact on a national or global scale.

Judging Criteria:

Judging will focus on logistics, national or regional influence (if applicable), creativity and innovation, marketing, metrics and outcomes, volunteer and staff participation, execution, sustainability, inclusivity, budget management and entertainment value. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images.

This category recognizes the excellence and effectiveness of small-scale fundraising events designed to fund a charitable cause or organization. This category focuses on elements that support fundraising-specific goals. Entries should highlight innovative and impactful strategies that successfully generated donations, fostered donor engagement, and achieved fundraising objectives.

Small Scale Vs Large Scale – Differentiation 

Small-Scale Fundraising Events
These events are intimate, community-driven, and budget-conscious, with a localized audience and more straightforward execution.

• Primarily local or niche audience
• Modest budget with limited sponsorship involvement
• Single-location event with straightforward logistics
• Organized by small teams—often volunteer-supported
• Minimal media exposure, mainly local press or community outreach

Large-Scale Fundraising Events
These events are high-profile and have a significant industry presence, often drawing national or international attention.

• Substantial budget, backed by major corporate sponsors
• National or international audience
• Widespread media coverage and industry recognition
• Complex logistics, potentially multi-location or high-production
• Managed with large vendor partnerships

   

Judging Criteria 

Judging will focus on community impact, logistics, innovative fundraising, volunteer/staff engagement, metrics and outcomes, appeal, sustainability, inclusivity, budget management, marketing and entertainment value.

Videos: Recommended but not required.
Budget: Required. 
Images: All events require a minimum of ten images.

Large-scale fundraising events are characterized by their expansive reach, significant attendance, and ambitious fundraising goals. These events are typically organized by well-established charitable organizations with the resources to execute grand and memorable experiences. They aim to mobilize a large community of supporters, donors, and participants to raise substantial funds for charitable causes. This category focuses on elements that support fundraising-specific objectives.

Small Scale Vs Large Scale – Differentiation 

Small-Scale Fundraising Events
These events are intimate, community-driven, and budget-conscious, with a localized audience and more straightforward execution.

• Primarily local or niche audience
• Modest budget with limited sponsorship involvement
• Single-location event with straightforward logistics
• Organized by small teams—often volunteer-supported
• Minimal media exposure, mainly local press or community outreach

Large-Scale Fundraising Events
These events are high-profile and have a significant industry presence, often drawing national or international attention.

• Substantial budget, backed by major corporate sponsors
• National or international audience
• Widespread media coverage and industry recognition
• Complex logistics, potentially multi-location or high-production
• Managed with large vendor partnerships

   

Judging Criteria:

• Fundraising Impact & ROI – Total funds raised, sponsorship success, and financial efficiency.
• Execution & Logistics – Scale, complexity, and seamless event delivery.
• Innovation & Creativity – Unique concepts, activations, and engagement strategies.
• Marketing & Media Reach – PR, social media, and audience impact.
• Sponsorship & Partnerships – Value delivered to sponsors and long-term benefits.
• Audience Experience – Attendee engagement, entertainment, and storytelling.
• Sustainability & Inclusivity – Green practices, accessibility, and diversity.
• Production Quality – Staging, AV, and technical execution.
• Legacy & Long-Term Impact – Continued donor engagement and mission impact.

Entries should showcase high-impact fundraising, strategic execution, and industry-wide influence.

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images.

This category celebrates exceptional planning and execution of market fairs and festivals, showcasing events highlighting culture, commerce, and community. 

Judging Criteria:

Judging will focus on logistics, vendor engagement, attendee interaction, community involvement, appeal, sustainability, inclusivity, entertainment value, promotional strategy, risk management, and cultural representation. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Not required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images.

This category recognizes outstanding events organized by or in collaboration with city or municipal governments. These events aim to engage and celebrate the local community, promote tourism, and enhance the city’s reputation. Whether it’s a cultural festival, a holiday celebration, or a civic initiative, this category acknowledges events that contribute to the vibrancy and cohesion of a city or municipality.

Judging Criteria:

Judging will focus on logistics, vendor engagement, attendee interaction, community involvement, appeal, sustainability, inclusivity, entertainment value, legacy & celebration, promotional strategy, risk management, and cultural representation. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Not required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images.

These events focus on preserving, promoting, and showcasing the richness of a specific culture or community. Outstanding event planning is crucial in delivering an immersive experience that fosters cultural appreciation and understanding. 

Judging Criteria:

Judging will focus on aesthetics, community involvement, logistics volunteer/staff engagement, creative solutions, innovative attendee engagement, risk management, entertainment value, sustainability, inclusivity, successful promotion, cultural representation and cultural preservation and promotion. 

• Videos: Recommended but not required.
• Budget: Not required. 
• Images: All events require a minimum of ten images.